Spring Break
Student impact on policy unclear
Marissa Lang
Issue date: 12/4/08 Section: News
Despite major increases in voter turnout among young people, college students and experts say it remains to be seen whether their top priorities, such as the economy and higher education, will be high on President-elect Barack Obama's (D) agenda.
One month after Obama's historic election to the highest office in the country, most students say they are still confident Obama will remember them and their needs.
According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, a national research organization that focuses on the civic engagement patterns of young people, voter turnout among the 18- to 29-year-old demographic was substantially higher this year than in past elections. At the university, turnout was about 130 percent higher.
Many students said issues were a main reason young people supported Obama, citing the economy and Obama's clear higher education policies as attractive to young voters, and hope their importance rings true in his new administration.
"The economy is a huge issue," College Republicans President Chris Banerjee said. "This election was about the economy. College tuition costs and the job market are really important for students, and Obama knows people are expecting him to do something about that."
The main features of Obama's higher education plan are creating a fully refundable tax credit that will ensure the first $4,000 of a college education is "completely free for most Americans," as long as they complete 100 hours of community service per year, according to Obama's website. He would also overhaul the Free Application for Student Financial Aid, which would be replaced by a checkbox on tax forms.
With the cost of higher education on the rise and the economy now officially in a recession, students said the overhaul of FAFSA and creating an opportunity for college students to trade in community service for tuition credit is not only welcome, but long overdue.
"I've always thought the FAFSA was kind of BS," senior kinesiology major Sarah Easterwood said. "But it's so tough to get a job without a college degree, and with the way the economy is right now, you can't get a loan on your own, and no one wants to co-sign. It would be awesome if [Obama] really instates that program where you can trade in community service hours for money that would go toward your education. I'd definitely do it."
One month after Obama's historic election to the highest office in the country, most students say they are still confident Obama will remember them and their needs.
According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, a national research organization that focuses on the civic engagement patterns of young people, voter turnout among the 18- to 29-year-old demographic was substantially higher this year than in past elections. At the university, turnout was about 130 percent higher.
Many students said issues were a main reason young people supported Obama, citing the economy and Obama's clear higher education policies as attractive to young voters, and hope their importance rings true in his new administration.
"The economy is a huge issue," College Republicans President Chris Banerjee said. "This election was about the economy. College tuition costs and the job market are really important for students, and Obama knows people are expecting him to do something about that."
The main features of Obama's higher education plan are creating a fully refundable tax credit that will ensure the first $4,000 of a college education is "completely free for most Americans," as long as they complete 100 hours of community service per year, according to Obama's website. He would also overhaul the Free Application for Student Financial Aid, which would be replaced by a checkbox on tax forms.
With the cost of higher education on the rise and the economy now officially in a recession, students said the overhaul of FAFSA and creating an opportunity for college students to trade in community service for tuition credit is not only welcome, but long overdue.
"I've always thought the FAFSA was kind of BS," senior kinesiology major Sarah Easterwood said. "But it's so tough to get a job without a college degree, and with the way the economy is right now, you can't get a loan on your own, and no one wants to co-sign. It would be awesome if [Obama] really instates that program where you can trade in community service hours for money that would go toward your education. I'd definitely do it."
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