College grant funding must be budget priority - Sen. Ray Musto, Standard Speaker

Throughout last year's nightmarish state budget stalemate, numerous important state programs and agencies fell victim to near crippling budget cuts. While we wait for the yet-to-recover national economy and face more fiscal uncertainty this year, I shudder at the thought of another prolonged budget battle and further debilitating cuts to essential services and providers. Last year, the state cut funding for the Institutional Assistance Grant (IAG) Program by a staggering $11.7 million, or a 28 percent from the previous year's allocation. This grant program provides an incentive for Pennsylvania private colleges to enroll the state's PHEAA-eligible students. The program supports the enrollment of students with a demonstrated financial need. Private colleges can only receive this funding based on the number of PHEAA grant recipients they enroll.