State Of The Union 2011: Obama Expresses Support For Increased College Aid, Pell Grants

President Barack Obama pledged support to reestablish America as the global leader in higher education in his State of the Union address last night.

The president decried higher education budget cuts, which have become all the more common as states try to balance their coffers. "Cutting the deficit by gutting our investments in innovation and education is like lightening an overloaded airplane by removing its engine," he said. "It may feel like you're flying high at first, but it won't take long before you'll feel the impact." Education would not be included in the five-year spending freeze he outlined before Congress.

According to a White House fact sheet on the speech, Obama has several plans in motion to make college more affordable, including a bolstered Pell Grant program, more affordable student loans and the permanent establishment of the American Opportunity Tax Credit.

Obama also noted that reforming immigration laws is key in raising America's status as an education leader. "Let's stop expelling talented, responsible young people who can staff our research labs, start new businesses and further enrich this nation," he said.

What did you think of Obama's speech and his plans for education? Weigh in below.

Comments

[Socrates1988]

11:02 PM on 01/26/2011

All this does is allow colleges to charge more for tuition for degrees that are already not worth the cost of admission. It does not lower costs. They should develop a system that rewards people who excel in math and the sciences. All studies are not equal.

[Andra Claudia Garcia]

10:21 PM on 01/26/2011

Wow...two years too late

[mynamesyow]

01:26 PM on 01/26/2011

A firm believer in this vision and acknowledgment of Education as yielding the single best Return on an Investment of any we could make. I am also pleased that the President touched upon the Role of Community colleges too. As someone who has worked for years at both the largest Community College in Ohio (Columbus State) as well as the largest University in the State (OSU) I have seen firsthand the critical role that both play in adding milllions of dollars to the local economy as well as shoring up the job sector in this town and state. Good Community Colleges are a cheap way to get transfer students on the way to their 4 year degree at a fraction of the cost while also allowing older or more-pressed-for-time adults to get excellent job training and 2 year degrees and trade certifications quickly and in a way that fits their schedule and budget. Ohio has become a good model for integrating both types of colleges.

[PCPrincess]

11:37 AM on 01/26/2011

As a full-time student, with over a couple years to go, I'm glad to hear that he, at least, expressed a desire to improve the funding situation for lower income college students. As we all know, the states have given in to the 'NO new taxes' conservatives and cut and gutted education in order to balance budgets. Thank goodness the federal government has at least some leeway to demand continued funding.

[robparisblog]

08:40 AM on 01/26/2011

See a tag cloud of Obama's 2011 State of the Union Address: http://robvstate.com/2011/01/25/tag-cloud-of-obamas-2011-state-of-the-union-address/

And see how it compares to the 2010 State of the Union Address