Tulsa World: Pell Grants give students boost

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Pell Grants give students boost
The financial aid is critical for some who dream of going to college.

Katie Navarro works in the Student Affairs office at Rogers State University. She says Pell Grants enabled her to attend college full-time. MIKE SIMONS / Tulsa World

By SHANNON MUCHMORE World Staff Writer
Published: 4/5/2009 2:26 AM
Last Modified: 4/5/2009 3:58 AM

When Katie Navarro found herself the sole breadwinner for a family that included four boys under the age of 16, she knew no job that a high school dropout such as herself could land would be sufficient.

The 32-year-old Claremore resident is now in her fourth year at Rogers State University, 10 classes from a bachelor's degree in justice administration. She's been a full Pell Grant recipient every semester. Without the financial aid, there is no way she'd be able to go to college full-time.

"I have good grades. I work my butt off," Navarro said. "But it's the Pell Grants that have enabled me to do that."

Pell Grants are awarded on a sliding scale, based on factors such as income, family size and number of dependents. There are no age restrictions, and the money does not have to be paid back.

President Barack Obama's recent changes to the financial aid system for higher education will put more money into Pell Grants, enabling at least 3,500 more students to receive the awards, according to a report by the Institute for America's Future.

Those who qualify will receive more money, an average of $121 extra each semester, according to the report. The new maximum award will be $5,350.

The changes are from a patchwork of actions in Washington, D.C., including the federal stimulus package and legislation passed last year, said Matt Short, director of financial aid and scholarships at Tulsa Community College.

Another change will give TCC $50,000 to hire more students for work-study, which has been shown to help students succeed, Short said.

In the 2006-07 school year, $130.5 million in Pell Grants were awarded to more than 58,000 Oklahoma students. The number of students receiving the money and the average amount they received were both down by 7 percent from the year before.

Jason Cantrell, 23, will be the first in his family to earn a bachelor's degree, and he also owes the opportunity to Pell Grants.

He will graduate from RSU in May with a degree in business administration. He was interviewed through e-mail.

Cantrell said he always knew he wanted to go to college but needed help finding the best place and some way to afford it.

"Very few people knew that I had my mind made up that I wouldn't start my college career with debt from loans because I've seen what debt can do to some people, the added stress," he wrote.

He supports the extra money going toward the program that has helped him succeed in higher education.

"I think the Pell Grants is a valuable resource for people who possibly can't afford college to be able to realize that college dream," he wrote.

For Cantrell and Navarro, the Pell Grants covered tuition and books, but for students at more expensive universities, the award can fall short.

What used to pay more than 70 percent of college costs as recently as 2002 covered 57 percent of expenses in 2008, according to the Institute for America's Future.

Students receiving the grants aren't restricted by type of institution, but their awards will go further at certain schools, said Bryce Fair, vice chancellor for scholarships and grants for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

"It does go a long way to providing access to students at our community colleges and public regional universities," he said.

Fair said another provision in pending higher education legislation would increase a tax credit for students in middle-income categories who may not qualify for need-based aid.

Navarro, who also works part time in the Student Affairs office, is a member of the Student Government Association and is active in many campus organizations.

In the evenings when they're not at Boy Scouts, she and her sons — ages 7, 9, 11 and 15 — do their homework together.

"It's that look in their eyes that keeps me going," she said.

Maximum Pell Grant awards

2008-09: $4,731

2009-10: $5,350

2010-11: $5,550

The first step in applying for a Pell Grant is filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Get started at tulsaworld.com/studentaid

Shannon Muchmore 581-8378
shannon.muchmore@tulsaworld.com By SHANNON MUCHMORE World Staff Writer

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