Pell Grants = Welfare (According To Republican Rep.)

[bsm6776]

get an academic scholarship

[capt251978]

I recieved a Pell grant and I can honestly say that it was best thing that could've happened to me, my family and the taxpayers in this country. I went from making $9.00 per hour to $22.50 and I attribute this to the grant. If I hadn't been able to get an education I would more than likely still be getting food stamps, and assistance with my utilities.

[blueboyblue]

Statistics have shown that money spend on Pell Grants is returned in increased income tax many times over. Pell Grants are NEEDS based, and everyone doesn't get it. As is pointed out, they are also performance based, you don't perform, you don't get money.

And it is purpose directed, it is directed toward getting a college degree. That is productive to society as a whole.

Pell also goes directly to the School, It can't be used to pay the rent or buy food.

[Wgivens93]

I didnt get a damn pell grant...bastards

[Moionfire]

Pell grants ARE welfare. Nonetheless, that isn't a bad thing. Welfare isn't a dirty word or a bad thing.

[shan12stones]

in a way it is welfare.i went to college and as soon as the checks where sent out after the books where paid all the blacks in my classes dropped out of college.

[MishuTaste]

The Pell grant is welfare. But I'd rather give someone a good education than to allow them to get a monthly check and NOT LOOK FOR A JOB. Welfare should be a temporary thing. We shouldn't be teaching people how to be helpless. We should be helping them to become independent. If the welfare system doesn't force people to get a job or learn a trade, it's WORTHLESS!!!

[communistjesus]

THAT IS IT.. I AM VOTING SARAH PALIN 2012.. She 'can see' RUSSIA from ALASKA.. So RUN SARAN RUN and just keep RUNNING YA MORON...

[RenaeRay2]

He's one of those dummies who thinks there are millionaires sitting in the wellfair office collecting foodstamps.

[DeeSee25]

great analysis from TYT once again.

[arnica1964]

WELFARE??? Let's talk about welfare shall we? I can sum it up in two words-CORPORATE FARMING!! Let's see the STUDENTS WHO DRIVE BRAND NEW 2 TON TRUCKS, NOT TO MENTION ALL THE OTHER VERY EXPENSIVE EQUIPMENT CORP FARMERS HAVE!!! AND NOT ONE OF THEM IS THIN FOR NOT PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE! DON'T TELL ME ABOUT WELFARE, YOU SOB REHBERG, it's all about the fat pigs getting fatter isn't it???

[Mspadeaalot]

Honestly to even be eligible for a pell grant or "financial aid" (which really means loans) you have to be real poor. If your parents are middle class and even if you have 2-3 siblings they still consider you to have no need. So all you are given are loans. But what parent honestly has $25,000 lying around for school.

[shaochiavang]

@Mspadeaalot

loans and grants isnt the same. i get pell grant, $5550, i think every student should get money for college, its like common sense . but if i take all my classes, its like $5000.00 already, so i get like $550.00 only when its all done. i honestly think pell grant is a good idea

[bf1tz]

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

[xbertocoaylax]

If you don't like the price than go to Community College.

[bf1tz]

@xbertocoaylax Go troll somewhere else.

[Numbuh7]

@xbertocoaylax You do realize community college is expensive too, right? Soooomebody doesn't think before commenting. Fail.

[xbertocoaylax]

@Numbuh7 Expensive? I mean I am able to afford the few classes I take out of pocket. You might spend $2000-$3000 in a year. I wouldn't call that expensive considering it is college.

[Numbuh7]

@xbertocoaylax It's expensive when you only qualify for entry-level jobs and have the costs of rent, food, manditory car insurance, rising fuel prices, and medical bills to cover in addition to. Very fortunate of you to have 2-3k to blow at your wishes, but many are not so lucky.

[xbertocoaylax]

@Numbuh7

 Relatively it is cheap. For college education it is cheap. Everything has to cost something

[Numbuh7]

@xbertocoaylax It's not cheap relatively to anything other than medical costs. Young adults starting out typically just can't afford it.

[neversawthatcoming]

Thank you for this story! For profit colleges are a scam! Anyone who has dealt with Westwood College will tell you this. You are raped for money only to get a degree that doesn't transfer should you decide to engage in further education and go for a masters degree at a more reputable school. The recruiters paint a different picture during enrollment with a canned speech telling you that the world is your oyster. The education I got there was substandard at best.

[lordblazer]

Americans that are still in highschool I highly suggest you guys start researching universities in Europe. Its a lot cheaper, and plane tickets aren't all that expensive. I'm doing this for graduate studies.

[ERAUPRCWA]

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) approx per year cost $55,000 ($60K + if you're a flight student)

ERAU is a for-profit university. I attended for 1.5 years and I'm $80K in debt. The government "welfare" I was receiving BARELY helped with my tuition. I swear this is a slap in the face to individuals who want to get a higher education in todays society.

[Numbuh7]

Oh woooow. The Pell Grant money comes from a budget FOR college assistance. It's not like it's unlimited anyway. I just got an estimate of $2600 from Pell Grant today because I intend to attend the local community college. If I didn't get this, I would probably NEVER go. I am already shoved out of home to live on my own and minimum wage just doesn't pay for life anymore. This kind of thing is the only hope for some students.

[lordblazer]

@Numbuh7

wow I would think your family wouldn't mind you living with them if you're in school doing something with your life or working and helping out with bills...

[Numbuh7]

@lordblazer Unfortunately, not all families are understanding.

[crackerz99]

The Republicans want to create a Monarchy in America.

BTW, 'for profit' colleges? what in the fuck is that? I'm glad that they don't exist in Canada.

[lordblazer]

@crackerz99 like Phoenix University, Devry University. These schools are all over the country, and they aren't accredited.

[YairNava100]

who are the idiots that go to for profit colleges????

[DisturbedHavok]

@YairNava100 I would guess not all are idiots, but I would guess (and say with about 99.99999% certainty), that most of the ones who are idiots, go to those colleges because they think for profit means better results... just like they probably think is the case with the US Health Care system vs. the UK Health Care system.

[Eim30]

The reason I will be able to afford a private college when I start in 2012 is because my dad has to pay 70% of the money because of Child Support.

[DeutschAutos]

who do we vote for?? Obama and the GOP are cutting education!

[cmccloud19]

It's the same thing with income tax. I have family who are very poor but when they get their income tax return, which is a lot of money, they spend it on cable tv, IPOD touch, cell phone service, they go out to eat at expensive places. They live high on the hog that month, and then when it comes to paying their water bill and other utilities and food? Well because they lived high on the hog my parents have to pay for that. Our taxes go to them to help them and they abuse it.

[cmccloud19]

continued.. I have family getting these Grants and they are spending it on things they do not need when they are suppose to be using it for housing and transportation and then my parents end up giving them money when they are crying because they cannot afford gas, food, and rent. The working educated class ends up paying for this and we lose. It is not fair.

[cmccloud19]

I believe these grants do good but its not fair that I am not able to get them. I have to pay 4500 dollars every semester out of my pocket because my mother makes too much(She is even a teacher!)

[force3264]

Schools only get federal aid if they are accredited. You saying UOP is not accredited? Well, you're half right. They may have regional accreditation but not necessarily the specialized accreditation or the preferred accreditation.

[JMillion]

When I got my pell grant last year for college I was so excited that I could attend and get re-educated for a new career. However, the Gov't does NOT give food stamps to full time students in addition to a pell grant which you have to be a full time student in order to receive. Wat do?

[clint076]

Every one knows that 911 was an inside job right? You see, the King James Version of the bible is really the word of God! The (kjv) bible tells us that we are living in Satan's kingdom. Thus, we are all going fulfill our moral duty and expose the father of all lies by posting the 911 was an inside job icon right?

[alphacause]

It should be common sense as to why the Tea Party, and their Republican puppets, are so adamant about cutting as much funding for education as possible. By cutting education you ensure the long term survival of both the Tea Party and the Republican Party. If there is one truism that history teaches us it is that higher levels of education among a population generally impart a more liberal mindset. In other words, learning is generally corrosive to conservatism.

[alphacause]

Disparity between the wealthy and poor is only increased when public funding for education is cut. History attests to this. Any political party that is for cutting funding to education, whether it is cutting funding to public schools or cutting Pell grants, is fundamentally a politically party of elitists, and does not represent the interests of the people.

[iamLI3]

wtf cenk? since when is a business not part of capitalism?.....

[DeJach]

My private for-profit school kicks ass with its computer engineering degree (and its more famously known real time interactive simulation -- aka computer science with video game focus (engines, math, yay)), but I do agree that those for profit schools out there getting English degree students or other arts are milking the system and the people. (Though one wonders if any arts degree does that too regardless of the college.) I justify my expensive education with a high expected starting salary.

[MrHav1k]

I really want to slap the shit out of this man..... 

[evileyez504]

what the actual fuck?

[Jaywed]

OSAP gave me 142$ this term..... thank you Ontario.

WTF am I SUPPOSE TO DO WITH $142!

[ushlichao]

@Jaywed hahhahahahaahhaha 

[endauthority]

my tuition is 12k a semester. fuck you idiot, welfare my ass. college students work harder than republicans

[Haradin32]

I haz pell grant :D and most of it goes to gas.

[masterkayaki]

5550 dollars yay i can get a year worth of books only

[bamboo4tameshigiri]

@masterkayaki If you want to study medicine, that won't even cover the cost of your books.

[kazooga1234]

do they even realize that you have to use the pell grants in the schools and they can only be used in the schools

[LY8Ze7xK]

Of course it's welfare. Duh.

[JImmy4336]

I'm going to graduate high school in 2012 and I need pell grants if I want to go to college. it will really help me. If Republicans want to take that away, Fuck You!!!!!

[LY8Ze7xK]

@JImmy4336 I could really use a new car.

[dreamcoyote]

I'm not sure this one will get pressed too hard as a budget cut though..

US Uncut isn't as big as UK Uncut but it was exactly this sort of tax cut for the rich+corporations and putting higher education out of the fingertips of the masses that has turned the corner there. the corps are (I think) having to pay taxes instead of dodge in some cases.. so the corps lose if things like this get yanked.

why? because the 80% of us will only bend over so far to keep the rich rich

[snowboarder1019]

i like the old tytu logo

[kuunami]

Cenk's right about the astronomical cost of non-state schools. I speak through personal experience.

[kuunami]

It must be nice to be a republican politician and never have to worry about your colleagues holding you to any sort of standards or expecting you to actually research things before you speak on them. What an easy job that has to be.

[andrewsaccount09]

2:50 re the for profit colleges, BAM! you did it right there cenk. good commentary in general too

[bamboo4tameshigiri]

Repukelickins need a large population of ignorant religious zealots to fight their future crusades. Of course they are waging a war against education, they're fascists.

[kuunami]

@bamboo4tameshigiri

You're right about that. When you think about it, that's the only way to get people to vote for policies that are so against their best interests. Fear mongering and pandering to the religious is how republicans get lower and middle class people on board.

[TheDuckofLaw]

Why does this government ignore 90% of its constituents?

[bamboo4tameshigiri]

@TheDuckofLaw Because only the top 10% is wealthy enough to buy politicians.

[bf1tz]

Might I draw attention to at least 4 of the first 52 words of the United States Constitution--the most important 52 words of the entire document: "promote the general Welfare" Investment in the education of its citizens, without a doubt, is the most productive priorities of any civilization. Is knowledge not responsible for the continued survival of our species; is it not responsible for every aspect of our lives that we take for granted? Yes, it absolutely is!

[xbertocoaylax]

@bf1tz Put those 4 words in the context of the rest of the words.

[bf1tz]

@xbertocoaylax Why don't you? 

[HavingfunEnjoylife]

VOTE for GOP this 2012 election:

CUT Investment in Education

CUT Planned Parenthood

CUT Investment in AlternativeEnergy

DISMISS Environmental ProtectionAgency

FUCK HealthcareLaw - InsuranceCompanies able to drop cover as they please

LOVE 0%Taxes for millionaires and billionaires-KochBrothers donator of WNGov WALKER

KILL UnionBargainingRights of Teachers,Firefighters,PoliceOf­ficers&other public employees

KILL General Motors&PrivateSectors which now creating thousands and thousands of jobs

[dangerouslytalented]

@HavingfunEnjoylife ... and despite the fact that government funds will get gutted, STILL spend more than ever on the military.

[calimar28]

@HavingfunEnjoylife Ok I will. I like cutting education, its just throwing away money. Planned parenthood? What a joke. Screw alternative energy. And more tax cuts for millionaires yes! They shouldnt be taxed at all in my opinion, nor should anyone else. Its stealing.

Grants = welfare.

[m0rbusPolytox]

@calimar28

you are an idiot...

[TheKaos007]

@HavingfunEnjoylife If they do everything you posted they got my vote...

[hamzeeco]

@HavingfunEnjoylife but the muzlimz man!? who else other than the GOP will save you from that terrible monster that is us!?!

[Wgivens93]

@HavingfunEnjoylife  the sad thing is this is actually convincing to people

[ChocolateORE]

@mictheorist I don't know any student that hasnt taken in thousands and thousands in loans, what the hell are you talking about???

[BornOfSong]

@ChocolateORE I have not and I am about to get my bachelors in another semester or two. With that said, I go to a community college that takes anyone. I am also considering taking out a student loan to get a new car as my olds mobile is... well... old. Poor old girl is loosing her momentum to move anymore.

I like my Pell Grant. In an ideal society though, we would not need the government to pay students. In an ideal society a book would not cost $150 yet the teachers dumb as rocks.

[laughingfool624]

PAH-LEAASSSSSE. $5,550 is nothing! and i go to a community college, lol.

[lasoripa]

US universities are so expensive I don't understand how anyone can afford them.

Here in Canada I pay about 5-7 thousand per year for tuition.

[meki4life]

@lasoripa gigantic loans what else.. thats why people don't study science anymore everyone goes to business school and went to wall st right away to make bucks and pay loans..

[pokeyugi13]

@lasoripa Private loans, govt loans, Pell Grants, the state might pay, scholarships, you pay it yourself (some have done it), or if your rich: Mom&Dad

[LY8Ze7xK]

@lasoripa And people come from all around the world to go to school here.

[TheNova5]

@mictheorist why pay for something you can get for free? besides student who take grants take loans as well. Most colleges and universities are too expensive to relay on these grants alone.

[blacklite911]

Ana's wrong when she says you have to be enrolled full time. Thats wrong, you just gotta be part-time, but you have to be making progress towards a degree. This is irrelevant though because there's no problem with the pell grant besides the fact that it isn't enough.

[dreamcoyote]

@blacklite911

I think for the full $5500 you have to be full time. part time slices the pell grant pretty hard. it's also needs based. I think I got $500 a semester but that was 20 years ago. loans did the rest

people bitch about the dept of ed taking student loans inside.. but a couple of years ago they found out

the public sector was given $ to loan to students, they received interest, and the govt provided the insurance. so they got interest for money they didn't front and couldn't lose!

[blacklite911]

@dreamcoyote Yea I know, i'm currently a student you get half unless you take more than 12 credit hours (for most schools). fact is that tuition is so high nowadays, Guys like Ron Paul wanna talk about how he worked and paid for school at the same time, school tuitions are more than most people can make at a job without a college degree and I'm not even factoring in living expenses. The university system in the usa sucks hard dude.

[LY8Ze7xK]

@blacklite911 Tuition is high because of programs like this.

[blacklite911]

@LY8Ze7xK doesn't really matter to my point because tuition is not going to go down unless it gets subsidized, its not a static product like milk or gas, onces its up, it stays up.

[LY8Ze7xK]

@blacklite911 Prices would come down if the government reduced subsidies. Just look at what happened to housing prices when the tax credit expired.

[dustinjt]

Technically it is, but welfare isn't a bad thing. The term was turned into a four-letter word by rich conservatives to demonize the working poor who need help obtaining higher educating in hopes of achieving the American Dream. Conservatives obviously don't want this.

[vonbassenheim]

The president of Valparaiso University realizes that the Pell Grants are extremely important in allowing students to attend his university. While $5,000 is only a small percentage of my tuition, every little bit helps. The GOP is always talking about people doing better for themselves, but they magically expect this to happen. When people try to get what they need to succeed in life, the GOP thinks that is welfare. Choose one or the other, they can't have it both ways.

[samiam2088]

Try taking away the Pell Grant, the people who do not get them and therefore cannot go to college as a result will be stuck working a minimum wage job and be forced into real welfare, think of how much that is going to cost the tax payers over one low-income students lifetime. A little money to help now can create a productive, tax-paying citizen in the future and thus lowering the welfare burden. I hate to tell you but in this country we do not let people starve to death: Welfare or Pell Grant.

[koolj1994]

And people wonder why the US is getting dumber? Right. Other countries actually care about how start their next generation can be.

[Pelonetillo]

republican congressman salary is welfare

[Abena20]

Republicans persecuting the poor? What a surprise!