re: 'Pell Grants are the welfare of the 21st century'

Yeah, because decreasing the overall accessibility of a college education would be a great move for this country.  

Quoting ZenMama:" Yet another example of how out of touch these smurfs are. I seriously think these asses are trying ... [snip!] ... economy my ass, not when the majority if the people in the country aren't even given the chance to better themselves."

We can't afford to give everyone a free lunch.

No matter how badly you want it.

Quoting ♥ 3 ♥:" Student loans are ridiculously hard to get (unless you get the gov't un/subsidized ones.... which they'd ... [snip!] ... had payment plans though now. I know my school offers a program where you can pay your tuition monthly in super low payments"

Student loans go off of income, not credit. Well most of them do anyways. And that too, most schools offer low monthly rates instead of lump sums at semesters, I had scholarships to school, for tennis and music, but I couldn't imagine being a mom and having to do tennis and music through out to keep it.

Quoting SpaceCowgirl:" We can't afford to give everyone a free lunch. No matter how badly you want it."

And how exactly do you compare an education to a free lunch? What is wrong with helping the future of this country to succeed? Or should the wealthy be the only ones privy to an education in this country? The way the government is run these days is so ass backwards it's ridiculous!

Quoting SpaceCowgirl:" We can't afford to give everyone a free lunch. No matter how badly you want it."

Well if we give NO ONE the ability to have upward mobility, we will end up giving them a free breakfast, lunch, and dinner via food stamps when their low earning potential can't keep up with the inflating cost of living.

If students want to go to school and have every intention of finishing, not getting a grant isn't going to stop them.
Take out a student loan and you'll have no problem paying it back once you've got your degree.

The majority of students receiving Pell Grants never finish a 2 year degree nonetheless a 4+ year degree.
I guarantee you have more motivation to finish school and get yourself a career when you know you have to make your first student loan payment 6 months after you graduate.

Quoting ZenMama:" And how exactly do you compare an education to a free lunch? What is wrong with helping the future of ... [snip!] ... only ones privy to an education in this country? The way the government is run these days is so ass backwards it's ridiculous!"

Because it is another person standing there, holding their hand out and asking the government to give them something for 'free'.

It is possible to go to school without student loans. My husband comes from an extremely poor family that couldn't help him with school. He worked his ass off, got a Masters degree and we are still paying for his student loans.

Like I said, I'm not necessarily against pell grants, but the federal government is spending $1.4 trillion more per year than they make. Something has to give.

I'm a landlord and I've had several calls from people using their grant money to live off of.
Are they living off of Pell Grants or is this a different program?
How does it work? Can you apply, get the money and use it for something besides school?

Quoting Ashley + Olivia:" Well if we give NO ONE the ability to have upward mobility, we will end up giving them a free breakfast, ... [snip!] ... breakfast, lunch, and dinner via food stamps when their low earning potential can't keep up with the inflating cost of living."

Student loans accomplish the same thing.

Quoting SpaceCowgirl:" Because it is another person standing there, holding their hand out and asking the government to give ... [snip!] ... against pell grants, but the federal government is spending $1.4 trillion more per year than they make. Something has to give."

And you think that 'something' should be education?

Quoting ZenMama:" And how exactly do you compare an education to a free lunch? What is wrong with helping the future of ... [snip!] ... only ones privy to an education in this country? The way the government is run these days is so ass backwards it's ridiculous!"

You can have $0 income and get a ridiculous amount of student loans.

Quoting Chim Richalds {EBFT}:" And you think that 'something' should be education?"

I think cuts need to be taken from everything. Education included.

Quoting nutmeg.:" If students want to go to school and have every intention of finishing, not getting a grant isn't going ... [snip!] ... school and get yourself a career when you know you have to make your first student loan payment 6 months after you graduate."

I agree with you, and if you're already doubting your ability to get a job in the field you're earning a degree in, well, maybe its time to declare a different major.

Quoting GrizzlyMamma:" I'm a landlord and I've had several calls from people using their grant money to live off of. Are they ... [snip!] ... Grants or is this a different program? How does it work? Can you apply, get the money and use it for something besides school?"

This is something I disagree with. There is often excess money left over after school and supplies are paid for. They just give it to the student. IMO the excess should be put back into the education funding program instead of paid out.

Quoting Ashley + Olivia:" This is something I disagree with. There is often excess money left over after school and supplies ... [snip!] ... They just give it to the student. IMO the excess should be put back into the education funding program instead of paid out."

What if you drop out? What if you never start? do you get the money and not have to pay it back? are there no strings attached?