Timothy Roemer: “Mr. Chairman, on the front page of the USA Today, the article right here says, ``College Dropout Rate Hits All-time…”

“Mr. Chairman, on the front page of the USA Today, the article right here says, ``College Dropout Rate Hits All-time High.'' College dropout rate hits all-time high. One of the reasons that the college dropout rate is hitting an all-time high, according to this article and according to a score of students that I have talked to in the third district of Indiana, is because the cost of college continues to escalate higher and higher and we are unable to provide enough sufficient aid through Pell grants and Stafford loans and student assistance programs to adequately keep many of these students, especially moderate and low-income students, in the school. Let me give further evidence, Mr. Chairman. The AP story again, leading off the wire today, quote, ``A combination of rising tuitions, increased job opportunity, a growing economy and concerns about student aid can lead to more students not returning to school,'' unquote. I give a certain amount of credit to the Republican Party for increasing the Pell grant this year by $25. $25, Mr. Chairman, maybe will buy a textbook for the student to go to Indiana University. If we were keeping up with inflation-adjusted Pell grants to make sure that we make the best investment possible for our students, Pell grant maximums would be at $4,300 today. In this bill today they are at $2,500.”