College aid more student-friendly

Starting this fall Pell Grants for middle- and lower-income college students may increase by $200 to a maximum of $5,550, and up to almost $6,000 in 10 years, if the U.S. Senate passes the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act this week.

The government is expected to use an estimated $36 billion in savings to increase the Pell Grant amount so students will rely less on loans they have to pay back.

Margo Wagner, a Purdue University senior who receives a Pell Grant, said additional funds are always appreciated by cash-strapped students but she questions if the overall cost is worth it.

"I definitely think $200 for everyone does not help," said the forestry and natural resources major. "Some of my books have cost more than that. I'd rather they put more effort into providing bigger grants for needier students. Spreading all this money around just makes it thin."

Nonetheless, financial aid directors at Purdue and Ivy Tech Community College say the increased funding will lessen the burden of working students and those in need of loans.

"We do have some students who can get the Pell Grant and not need to take out a loan," said Beverly Cooper, financial aid director for Ivy Tech's Lafayette region. "The $200 increase will mean they will need less loans."