Students lobby for Access Missouri grant at state capitol
Lydia Nebel
Issue date: 4/15/09 Section: In the Spotlight
For the one-third of Southwest Baptist University receiving grant money from Access Missouri, Wednesday, April 8 was a pivotal day for their future.
It was set as the day at the capitol building in Jefferson City for new legislation to be discussed concerning the Access Missouri grant program.
Senior Director of Marketing and Communications Sharina Smith and Brad Gamble joined six students, seniors Dane Cockrell, Jessica Elder, and Jarret Finnell, junior Ashley Hodges; and sophomores Jason Dulworth and Lydia Nebel in the lobbying efforts.
Senate Bill 389 passed two years ago providing public universities funds through the Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative to build new facilities. The funds for this initiative came from Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA), Missouri's non-profit student loan authority sales.
Because much of the MOHELA funding came from independent university students, with the encouragement of financial aid professionals from both public and independent colleges, lawmakers expanded the aid to all Missouri students that demonstrate need.
The cap amount of assistance for each student now is $4,600.00. If the proposed changes were made concerning Senate Bill 390 and House Bill 792 would lower the cap to $2,850.00.
The rewritten bills are being faced with lots of opposition, but the vote it still split enough that the decision could go either way.
The goal of the lobbying day was to share information directly from independent university students with representatives and senators about the personal effects of the Access Missouri Grants.
The SBU students shared their stories with one another on the drive up to Jefferson City, using the time to prepare to speak with their individual legislatures depending on residency.
In preparing, Hodges commented, "I am nervous to talk to people about it, but it is a really important issue so I am excited. I hope they listen and understand."
Students recieved "Lobby Day Guide" packets which including pointers on communicating and internal documents stating information on the case of independent Access MO grant recipients.
After meeting some other college students and grabbing a bite to eat, our SBU students were off to begin work. The first stop was home base in Senator Delbert Scott's office.
From there, the students visited several legislatures, speaking with each one of their personal story and leaving a packet of information about the grant.
Though the day was enjoyable, it was busy, learning the maze of the capitol and tracking down officials. Most of the legislatures were gracious and welcome to the information we shared with them. A hearing was held in the afternoon after the SBU students left to come back to school.
The students receiving grant money from Access Missouri should be encouraged as they were represented enthusiastically and humbly. For more information, visit keepmeincollege.org or directly contact your lawmakers.
It was set as the day at the capitol building in Jefferson City for new legislation to be discussed concerning the Access Missouri grant program.
Senior Director of Marketing and Communications Sharina Smith and Brad Gamble joined six students, seniors Dane Cockrell, Jessica Elder, and Jarret Finnell, junior Ashley Hodges; and sophomores Jason Dulworth and Lydia Nebel in the lobbying efforts.
Senate Bill 389 passed two years ago providing public universities funds through the Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative to build new facilities. The funds for this initiative came from Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA), Missouri's non-profit student loan authority sales.
Because much of the MOHELA funding came from independent university students, with the encouragement of financial aid professionals from both public and independent colleges, lawmakers expanded the aid to all Missouri students that demonstrate need.
The cap amount of assistance for each student now is $4,600.00. If the proposed changes were made concerning Senate Bill 390 and House Bill 792 would lower the cap to $2,850.00.
The rewritten bills are being faced with lots of opposition, but the vote it still split enough that the decision could go either way.
The goal of the lobbying day was to share information directly from independent university students with representatives and senators about the personal effects of the Access Missouri Grants.
The SBU students shared their stories with one another on the drive up to Jefferson City, using the time to prepare to speak with their individual legislatures depending on residency.
In preparing, Hodges commented, "I am nervous to talk to people about it, but it is a really important issue so I am excited. I hope they listen and understand."
Students recieved "Lobby Day Guide" packets which including pointers on communicating and internal documents stating information on the case of independent Access MO grant recipients.
After meeting some other college students and grabbing a bite to eat, our SBU students were off to begin work. The first stop was home base in Senator Delbert Scott's office.
From there, the students visited several legislatures, speaking with each one of their personal story and leaving a packet of information about the grant.
Though the day was enjoyable, it was busy, learning the maze of the capitol and tracking down officials. Most of the legislatures were gracious and welcome to the information we shared with them. A hearing was held in the afternoon after the SBU students left to come back to school.
The students receiving grant money from Access Missouri should be encouraged as they were represented enthusiastically and humbly. For more information, visit keepmeincollege.org or directly contact your lawmakers.
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