Funding cuts threaten student financial aid By Kelly Odom-Daniels Severe cuts in local, state and federal funding could make obtaining financial aid a problem for students from middle income families. The Reagan Administration is expected to recommend a number of proposals and legislative changes that would reduce total student aid funds by as much as $440 million in 1986 and $1.661 billion in 1988. Reagan's proposed financial cuts are of special significance to Central State because of the university's dependence upon its financial aid program. "One-third to one-half of the students at Central State are receiving some form of financial aid," said Sherri Hancock, director of financial aids at CSU. According to the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, while the budget documents do not define specific changes, it is clear that the Ad-
ministration is giving consideration to imposing a maximum dollar cap on the amount of federal aid a student can annually receive. The budget proposals that have been released are being circulated early this year in an effort to see what kind of opposition will be raised. "It is not clear whether proposed funding cuts would affect CSU during the 1985-86 school year, because appropriations have not yet been made," said Hancock. Hancock estimates that CSU's federal assistance for the Pell Grant as well as campus-based programs would be reduced by 25 percent. "The type of student who would be effected by these cuts would be the student from middle-income families, families with imcomes above $25,000 for the Pell grant and families with imcomes above $32,500
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February
for any student seeking assistance," added Hancock. Foreign students who are receiving aid will fall under the same requirements for financial aid eligibility. Foreign students must either be a permanent resident or supply documents proving that they have eligible non-residence status to be eligible. Hancock stressed that time is a crucial factor involved in receiving any state aid. "March 15 is the deadline for best consideration for the Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grants (OTAG)," she said. "Funds were totally used for 1985-85 by April 15, 1984. Early applicants also get first consideration for NDSL, SEOG and College WorkStudy." There has been a significant increase in Guaranteed Student Loans this year, probably because of heightened awareness that the loans exist, said Hancock. "Awareness has increased because loans
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have become easier to obtain," she said. Some alternative made available to students who don't qualify for federal grants are grants from private sources and parent loans. Parent loans are bank loans taken out at 12 percent interest up to $3,000 a year for dependent students. Repayment is approximately $50 per month. "Right now our primary lender for parent loans is Continental Federal Savings and Loan," said Hancock. "But there are other local, state and out-of-state lenders who are actively visiting schools to encourage students to use their lending institution." Hancock encourages students who would be directly affected by student aid cuts to contact a member of the Oklahoma State Legislature concerning OTAG and their Congressional representative concerning federal financial aid.
Thursday Edition
Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma
Cronin reviews state of today's presidency By Diana Zahradnik Thomas E. Cronin, political scientist and author of "The State of The Presidency," a study of the American presidency, was guest speaker of the political science department Monday. Cronin spoke on six topics: a six year presidential term without renomination; an item veto for the president; abolishment of the electoral college; the no confidence vote; the 22nd amendment and a plural presidency. All of these issues would take an amendment to the constitution. Cronin pointed out that the six year term would make the president concentrate on work and not have to worry about running again for office. But, he could not see letting some one run the country who was imcompetent for six years. After three years, he said, the public knows if the person is doing a good job or not. It has been suggested the electoral college be abolished because it is too complicated. Not only would it create confusion, but it would abolish the
two party system, creating smaller parties where no one carried the majority. He pointed out that Israel is one case where it took a few months to decide who had won. An item veto, Cronin said, would allow the president to veto portions of a bill rather that the whole bill. Cronin said that Reagan is not using the veto power he has already. A plural presidency would have more than one person make the major decisions. A proposed referendum would give the American people the right to vote on national issues. Cronin disagreed with the theory, saying it would result in too much time being spent on issues that needed to be handled right then. He felt such matters should be left to the experts. When asked about whether the press was too powerful in this country, he said no, and stated the power of the press is one of our most important freedoms in the constitution. He said he had lectured in countries where the government owned the press and witnessed the govenment dictating to the press.
'It's a great mystery...'
Thief steals president's coat, hat "It's a great mystery, but I'll say this, on a day when the wind chill index is 34 below, whoever took it probably needed it," joked President Dr. Bill Lillard in reference to his missing coat and gloves. "My attitude is if that's the worst thing that ever happens,
why I'm fortunate," Lillard added. "They also took my hat." A thief slipped away from the Red Bud Restaurant with Lillard's winter wear on Jan. 31, sneaking past two Campus Police who were in the restaurant at the time, Lillard said.
n this issue. .
"If you see someone in a 42 long that's about 5 feet 2, they will be suspicious," Lillard said laughing. "These are trying times when the wind-chill index gets that low," he added.
Vista photo by Daniel Smith
Thomas E. Cronin addresses the political science faculty and invited guests at a breakfast reception Tuesday in the Council Room of the University Center.
Soul food banquet tops award ceremony
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Film library installed...page 3 Debate team wins again...page 4 Robin Hood at CSU...page 6 Netters begin season...page 7 CSU dumps OBU...page 8 N
The second annual Cavannah presented include certificates, plaM. Clark Heritage Awards and ques, and scholarships. Soul Food Dinner was Monday in the Red Bud room of the Univer- Following the awards presentasity Center, and many students tion was a "good 'ole down and faculty were in attendance. home" soul food dinner. Those in The festivities began at 6 p.m. attendence were served fried with awards given to the outstan- chicken, chitterlings, chicken and ding black students at CSU with a dumplings, pinto beans, greens, grade point average of 3.00 or bet- cornbread, and a choice of either ter. Awards that were given sweet potato pie or peach cobbler.