Comments on: Governor uses Rock Creek to sign important education bills

By: Jesse Maes

Jesse Maes — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 13:13:41 +0000

I understand your point of view here, but surrounding circumstances ARE the key issue here. This is straight from our paychecks, from YOUR paycheck in taxes. FAFSA can’t help everyone, unfortunately, but it’s a one-or-none deal. You can’t have both FAFSA and the Connect. I’m not in favor of this bill, but I can see where your’e coming from. I work as an editor for The Bridge (pccbridge.com), and you’re free to share our opinion there.

Many thanks,

J. Maes

By: Alysia

Alysia — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 17:21:43 +0000

I am a member of the Future Connect Program and was there at the ceremony (girl with the poofy red hair) and I, coming from a low income family, didn’t have a lot of hope for college until Future Connect. I was already graduated from high school when Future Connect recruited me and have flourished with the resources provided to me by the program. I did receive FAFSA money but it wasn’t enough for me to attend full time. Personally I think this money is granted to us with a good cause in mind. Whether surrounding circumstances are fair or not is another issue entirely.

By: Rita

Rita — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 01:09:48 +0000

Why do these students need free college if they are low-income? Don’t they qualify for FAFSA? If they are still in high school doesn’t the high school pay until you graduate?

By: sandi

sandi — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 08:03:20 +0000

thats great and all but what about those of us already in school? Im 30. Have 4 kids and my parents dont have high school deplomas nor a college education and since im not fresh out of high school i get to rack up loans? Why cant they use that money to lower EVERYONES cost of attendance instead of giving free college to SOME people use that money to help everyone going.

By: Jesse Maes

Jesse Maes — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 23:45:23 +0000

Aye, you couldn’t have put it better, Mark. That’s just the ticket–but the government only does the opposite. I like Kitzhaber from the very little I know of him, but this new bill set is just over the top. Reduce other stuff, not increase the amount of money going to students. Financial aid is so much more helpful–sure, there are people who can’t afford to be in college, but if we completely switch around and expect taxpayers to give more out of their checks, you might as well set fire to an oil field. Money goes in, money comes out. It’s not economically sustainable and just you wait, this’ll stand for a little while and then the lawmakers will get some sense to see reality as it is. By thenhow much money will we have taken out of our salaries…?

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 23:41:01 +0000

I’m with you Jon. Better access would be attained through decreased taxes and tuition, not the opposite. When the government grants more money to college students, tuition always increases (as well as taxes).

By: Rob Wagner

Rob Wagner — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 17:53:51 +0000

Hi Jon, Sorry for the confusion. HB 4116 isn't a study. It's real resources that will provided as competitive grants to community colleges across Oregon to build out programs that provide not only access but to success to lower income students. Programs like PCC's Future Connect are leveraging City Resources and private, philanthropic support. Here's another article: http://www.oregonlive.com/hillsboro/index.ssf/2014/02/future_connect_model_program_h.html. Thanks for your comment!

By: Jesse Maes

Jesse Maes — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 17:01:37 +0000

I agree, Jon. This whole thing is wonderful if FAFSA continues to exist. Why haven’t they asked students about this?

By: Jon

Jon — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 14:53:29 +0000

Wow. PCC needs $750,000 of the tax payers’ money (my money) to do a study? PCC should do their feasibility study without the tax payers money and use their own money.

By: Jesse Maes

Jesse Maes — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 03:29:54 +0000

Hm. I’m into this and everything, but the facts remain: no financial aid for students enrolled. I’d almost rather have FAFSA funds than mostly-free ed. Any opinions on this would be great. I’m not sure what to think. Perhaps if anyone has an opinion, you could talk about it at PCC’s student newspaper.

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