Where Do They Stand On Education?

If you are someone that believes that the Pell Grants are a good thing, then you will be happy with President Obama for championing Pell Grants.  But if you're someone who believes that the Pell Grant system is in need of reform and cost cutting, then Governor Romney is a good choice.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, a Pell Grant is financial aid that is awarded to a student that has not yet completed their “bachelors or professional degree.”  The one thing that sets this apart from other forms of financial aid is that a Pell Grant doesn't have to be repaid.

Both candidates address Pell Grants, and one champions the grant as revolutionary while the other calls for reform of the Pell Grant system.

Obama has almost doubled the amount of Pell Grants.  According to his campaign website, he has increased the grants by 95 percent nationally and 114 percent in Oregon.

His Republican contender Mitt Romney calls for an opposing movement in the realm of Pell Grants.  According to his educational plan: A Chance for Every Child, Romney is calling for the reform of Pell Grants.  He calls for putting the Pell Grant system on a financial plan so that it can remain financially solvent and not reach “financial cliffs,” like the one that caused the elimination of subsidized loans for graduate students.

Another push by Obama on higher education is a different way students can pay off the college loans.  Under the “Pay As You Earn” plan that debuted in September, monthly payments will be determined by your household income, this information was obtained from Obama's campaign website.  With this plan, your income is used to formulate how much you owe per month, but you can’t be charged over 10 percent of your monthly income.

Romney sees the problems not just in our inability to afford our loans, but in the financial aid system as well.  He would like to reform the government financial aid systems and even eliminate programs that are ineffective or already duplicated in another program.  Christine Ruck, a Linn County Republican Party Delegate noted that the reform will make the "financial process simplified."   Romney also calls for the government to educate students in what kind of debt they will incur so that they can make more informed decisions.

One way that Obama strives to support higher education is through his administration's push in investing two billion dollars into community colleges nationwide.  This is according to his campaign website.

Another way Obama and the Democratic Party would like to assist college students is though the renewal of the American Opportunity Tax Credit.  According to John Welley, the Linn County Democratic Party Treasurer, one of the dangers of a Romney ticket was the possible elimination of the American Opportunity Tax Credit.  "Education Credits are Golden right now." The American Opportunity credit is eligible to students who personally pay for school expenses.  Welley claims these credits will be in danger, if a republican is President.  "(The American Opportunity) Tax credit has to be renewed.  The President wants to do it, and the Democrats want to do it."  The tax credit is due to expire next year.

In A Chance for Every Child, Romney points out what he believes to be the issue in rising tuition costs.  His opinion is that the government is hemorrhaging money into colleges, thus not keeping them accountable to affordable tuition.

Ruck noted that tuition cost at community colleges are dictated by state governments.  "Students should focus on (the) Oregon Legislature."  And especially take a "strong look at state representative races."

Higher Education is just one of many area's where Romney and Obama differ.  Look, listen, and be-informed.  Vote on November 6th.

At A Glance

Who:      President Obama

              Governor Romney

What:     Presidential Race

When:    Election Date  November 6, 2012

Where:   Nation wide
Why:      It's our Future