Topic: Possible cuts in Pell grants raises alarms in college sports

[Herdthedrums1]

Saw the link on the "Save Student Aid" facebook page and thought id post on the potential for it to be herd related.
How much do you think something like this could effect the Herds recruiting efforts and athletics as a whole given the economic standings of many student athletes today?
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/2011-07-24-possible-pell-grant-cuts-raise-alarms_n.htm

[marcbuff]

It will hurt more than just athletes. Many of my college students depend on it. If they get cut , my class doesn't make and I don't get paid either.

[Herdthedrums1]

It will hurt a lot of students, myself included. Since the board if fairly sports oriented when it comes to MU i figured that approach might get a better response.

[luvherd]

Guys this debt reduction thing is going to hurt a lot of people especially if we default. I have a buddy that is very "in the DC mix" and he said the whole lack of cooperation is politics and in particular the 12 election. Most of them are so tied to their "supporters" they can't do the right thing. And it crosses both parties.

[wvmafia]

It will hurt more than just athletes. Many of my college students depend on it. If they get cut , my class doesn't make and I don't get paid either.

And marc, for those who use it for the "proper" reasons, I feel VERY bad.  But I know from several of my friends in sales, that there are 19 cars at one dealership alone, being held for people who are waiting on the "housing and expense" checks from their "Pell Allotment".  There are 1000's of students a year who do nothing more than fill out the paper work, get qualified and piss away the $5900 (that is this year's expense check) given to (but not necessarily as part of Pell itself) grant qualifiers.  There is WAAAAAAY too much waste in the program...not unlike all "entitlement" programs.

[Herdthedrums1]

I believe there should be stricter requirements on getting and keeping it, as should other entitlement programs. From a personal point of view if the pell is cut completely my time at MU is done as well as many other students i know. However I know of others that get it that don't necessarily need it.

[CoachA10]

And marc, for those who use it for the "proper" reasons, I feel VERY bad.  But I know from several of my friends in sales, that there are 19 cars at one dealership alone, being held for people who are waiting on the "housing and expense" checks from their "Pell Allotment".  There are 1000's of students a year who do nothing more than fill out the paper work, get qualified and piss away the $5900 (that is this year's expense check) given to (but not necessarily as part of Pell itself) grant qualifiers.  There is WAAAAAAY too much waste in the program...not unlike all "entitlement" programs.

I doubt many Pell receipients spend their entire grant on a car...the money is sent to the school to pay for legitimate expenses.  Whatever is left over is then given to the student (or parents) as a "refund".  This often amounts to up to a couple of thousand dollars per semester.  This could make a nice downpayment on a car, I guess.

[mxman870]

I doubt many Pell receipients spend their entire grant on a car...the money is sent to the school to pay for legitimate expenses.  Whatever is left over is then given to the student (or parents) as a "refund".  This often amounts to up to a couple of thousand dollars per semester.  This could make a nice downpayment on a car, I guess.

Or living expenses for the student. They need to eat too.

[Herdthedrums1]

Or living expenses for the student. They need to eat too.

Well, I can't speak for other Pell recipents but after the school has taken all of the expenses and fees out of what i get i have right around $500 left for food and emergency items for the semester. Taught me very quickly how to budget my money. 

[wvmafia]

I doubt many Pell receipients spend their entire grant on a car...the money is sent to the school to pay for legitimate expenses.  Whatever is left over is then given to the student (or parents) as a "refund".  This often amounts to up to a couple of thousand dollars per semester.  This could make a nice downpayment on a car, I guess.

No, the Pell money doesn't get spent elsewhere...but as a Pell qualifier, you also qualify for other grants.  One particular grant that a large majority of Pell recipients is for $5900 a semester (that's MU's qualified amount).  Local car dealers have forms (much like the ones they use to secure people's tax refunds) that kids fill out and the money is guaranteed by signing the form.  The practice is so widely used that the National Auto Dealers Association has a standardized form that you can order from them.  A friend of mine who works at a dealership that is supportive of MU athletics, has 16 cars sold to MU students that are all secured by those grant waiver and guarantee forms.  There is a TON of waste in the system.  Been there, seen it, had the forms signed and cashed the checks.

[herdfan429]

If there is overrun past the amount of tuition it should go back to the govt.

[Herdthedrums1]

I don't know about other schools but any leftover i have goes toward housing.