Students fight potential financial aid cut

[img1]Students spoke in defense of financial aid yesterday regardless of the weather.

Nine withstood the wind and rain displaying colorful signs protesting student financial aid cuts yesterday in front of U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert's (R-8th District) office on Mercer Island.

Representatives from ASUW, WashPIRG and Evergreen State College protested the federal bill to cut $12.7 billion of student financial aid in attempt to reduce the U.S. budget deficit. They were there to raise awareness and rally for students, said ASUW President Lee Dunbar.

"We just want to lower the cost of education. That's the basic fundamental of what we believe," said Dunbar. "Students expect ASUW to advocate for our policy."

Reichert is planning to vote for the cuts, but spoke yesterday with Nicole Allen, WashPIRG campaign coordinator, on the issue. Allen said yesterday's lobbying made Reichert more aware of the student side of the issue. He also agreed to speak with Allen before the vote today.

"It was a tremendous success in the sense that if those people didn't get out there, Congressman Reichert wouldn't have gotten on the phone with me," Allen said. "[He] has heard the student voice."

About 65 percent of student graduates are burdened by student loan debt. The goal of the rally was to promote public awareness of this issue, Allen said.

"It's really good to get this issue out there and into the pubic discourse," she said. "Even if this passes, in the future it's going to be something people are addressing."

Participants stood in front of the building, chanting pro-financial aid messages such as "Stop the raid on student aid." Signs reading "Honk to protect student aid" were directed toward passersby.

"We got a lot of support from a lot of the people driving by and asking us what we were doing," said Hala Dillsi, ASUW director of community relations.

Dillsi said many cars stopped to inquire about the issue. The students encouraged people to call Reichert's office to support their cause.

"It's his job to know what he is voting on and how it will affect the community -- I think he wants to," said Dillsi. "Now it's time for students to use our voice and help [representatives] be aware."

Allen said that students would see increasing costs in many areas if the bill passes.

"People can say it's not going to come directly out of student's pockets ... but the $12.7 billion is coming from somewhere, and if it's in these programs and it's taken away it's going to affect students," she said. "It's just impossible that it won't."