Earlier this year, President Bush proposed drastic changes to how the federal government helps college students pay their tuition, focusing on improving the country’s most popular grant program — the Pell Grant.

But in his $2.57 trillion budget for 2006, The Chronicle of Higher Education reported that Bush called for the elimination of 150 government programs, one-third of which were from the Department of Education.

The money saved from cutting some higher education programs would then be funneled into the Pell Grant, in a move to produce a budget that “reduces and eliminates redundancy,” Bush said.

And one such program Bush wants eliminated is the Perkins Loan. Such fluctuations in student financial aid — the most radical changes in a decade, The Chronicle stated — may spell good news for some and bad news for others.

“The major concern that comes out of the president’s budget proposal is the shifting of financial aid programs,” President Carol Cartwright said. “Obviously we’re always concerned when we see losses in concern to student financial aid. We’re seeing a little leveling of support for research funding.”

February, Bush called upon Congress to raise the Pell Grant award by $500 over the next five years, to a maximum of $4,550, and to eliminate the program’s $4.3 billion deficit, The Chronicle reported.

Congressional leaders approved Bush’s proposals Thursday, reaching an agreement on increasing the Pell Grant and cutting the Perkins Loan. Congress’ plan also will forgive the $4.3 billion shortfall, The Chronicle reported.

“To focus on a Pell Grant is expensive,” said Mark Evans, director of Student Financial Aid. “And since there’s not new money coming in, they’re trimming it from existing programs.”

Earlier this year, President Bush proposed drastic changes to how the federal government helps college students pay their tuition, focusing on improving the country’s most popular grant program — the Pell Grant.

But in his $2.57 trillion budget for 2006, The Chronicle of Higher Education reported that Bush called for the elimination of 150 government programs, one-third of which were from the Department of Education.

The money saved from cutting some higher education programs would then be funneled into the Pell Grant, in a move to produce a budget that “reduces and eliminates redundancy,” Bush said.

And one such program Bush wants eliminated is the Perkins Loan. Such fluctuations in student financial aid — the most radical changes in a decade, The Chronicle stated — may spell good news for some and bad news for others.

“The major concern that comes out of the president’s budget proposal is the shifting of financial aid programs,” President Carol Cartwright said. “Obviously we’re always concerned when we see losses in concern to student financial aid. We’re seeing a little leveling of support for research funding.”

February, Bush called upon Congress to raise the Pell Grant award by $500 over the next five years, to a maximum of $4,550, and to eliminate the program’s $4.3 billion deficit, The Chronicle reported.

Congressional leaders approved Bush’s proposals Thursday, reaching an agreement on increasing the Pell Grant and cutting the Perkins Loan. Congress’ plan also will forgive the $4.3 billion shortfall, The Chronicle reported.

“To focus on a Pell Grant is expensive,” said Mark Evans, director of Student Financial Aid. “And since there’s not new money coming in, they’re trimming it from existing programs.”

Contact administration reporter Ryan Loew at [email protected].