Cuts To Financial Aid Could Affect 60,000 Students
Texas Gov. Rick Perry has vowed not to raise taxes, even as the state’s budget shortfall could reach up to $27 billion.
Higher education institutions throughout Texas are already looking at ways to deal with the deep cuts being proposed and the University of Texas at El Paso is no exception.
A proposal to cut aid for 60,000 students is on the table and that’s already stressing administrators and students alike.
“I always end up owing money,” lamented student Maria Medina at UTEP’s financial aid office. She’s part of the 67 percent of students who receive financial aid at the university. “I want to graduate as soon as possible so I can do more for myself, ” said Medina.
But graduation might have to wait. Medina fears budget cuts to financial aid would force her to take fewer classes.
“I have everything planned already, so changing that would be kind of stressing, kind of frustrating,” Medina said.
The same goes for Daniel Morales, who is worried that a cut in financial aid will stall his plans for graduate school.
“It would take me longer to get my degree,” said Morales.
UTEP officials are also bracing for possible cuts. “The burden would come back to institutions and back to the students,” said UTEP Associate Provost Craig Westman.
As it is, Westman said, the university is struggling to make ends meet right now.
“We don’t have enough dollars to even cover the need for our students currently,” he said.
Though UTEP does have some in-house programs to help some students, others will be left behind, waiting.
“It’s a balancing act,” said Westman.
Texas’ legislative session ends in May, but the governor has until next summer to sign the finalized budget.