Imbalances in state budgets have forced tuition hikes, which, coupled with cutbacks in financial aid, result in a greater financial burden for students, many of whom rely on college aid to finance their education. The lagging American economy not withstanding, educational cutbacks are the worst thing the government can do as far as long-term planning for the country's future. Financial aid needs to continue providing an equal chance for college education to those who cannot afford it In January 2003, the US News and World Report highlighted the thoughts of Brian Fitzgerald, staff director of the Department of Education's Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance. \n"'It's not the lack of information that's keeping (students) out -- it's unmet financial need.' College costs keep rising, and financial aid for the neediest students in many cases can't keep up."\nYet there should be shared liability between the student and the government. In light of the lagging economy and current deficit problems, the solution for the education dilemma might lie in John F. Kennedy's exhortation, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." As America moves towards a service-oriented economy and competition in the global market becomes more acute, students should be able to play their part in initiating a symbiotic relationship with the government by giving it incentives to finance education. \nFor instance, financial aid may count for 80 percent of tuition, but if the student chooses to major in something that the government views as a contribution to America's future -- international finance, astrophysics, computer science (or whatever is most needed in moving domestic economy forward) -- the aid would jump to 95-100 percent. Precedents for government rewards for services rendered include financing the education of members of the armed forces through the GI Bill, and programs such as the Peace Corps and Teach for America that encourage participation by writing off of a portion of federal student loans. Taiwan, South Korea and Singapore heavily subsidize education -- but only in areas they decree economically viable. \nThis arrangement could serve both sides equally. The student's education is almost completely covered if he or she adds engineering to their anthropology major, while the government is rewarded with a beneficial addition to the workforce. If the same student chooses only a liberal arts major, they will still get financial aid according to need, but without the added "incentive" bonus. While educational cuts are detrimental to America's future because the country cannot move forward without making education accessible to all strata of society, students, on their part, should help justify greater education spending by helping move it forward.
-- Lize Kolar for the Editorial Board\n-- Alec Toombs dissenting
