With just over a month to go before the general election, the campaigns of Senators Barack Obama and John McCain are in full swing. Where do the candidates stand on the issues? In an effort to help you sort out at least one issue in the upcoming election, NASFAA has provided the following chart that summarizes the two candidate's higher education policies.
Both candidates believe in the value that higher education can have on both individuals and society as evidenced in their respective party platforms.
"We must ensure that our higher education system meet the needs of the 21st century student and economy and remain innovative and accessible," says the 2008 Republican Platform. "The answer is not to impose more regulations on institutions, but to encourage the government to support innovative approaches to education, removing regulatory barriers that prevent us from moving forward with new ideas."
"We believe that our universities, community colleges, and other institutions of higher learning must foster among their graduates the skills needed to enhance economic competitiveness," states the 2008 Democratic National Platform. "Higher education is also the key to reversing the income disparities that are dividing our nation into haves and have-nots."
But the path to increase college access varies greatly between the two candidates. Here are the specifics of their respective higher education access plans based on their party platforms, speeches, and statements.
| Issue |
Sen. Barack Obama |
Sen. John McCain |
| Simplifying the Financial Aid Process |
Would eliminate the FAFSA and instead rely on federal tax return data to
determine federal student aid eligibility. |
Would shorten and streamline the FAFSA. |
| Simplifying the Financial Aid Programs |
No similar proposal. |
Would consolidate programs to help simplify the administration of those
programs. Does not specifically say which programs would be consolidated. |
| Fixing Student Loans |
Would reform the student loan program by eliminating “costly subsidies
to private lenders in favor of mandating that all federal student loans be
provided through the direct loan program.” Savings from the elimination
of FFELP would be redirected to fund need-based grants, such as Pell Grants. |
Expand lender-of-last resort provisions; leverage the private sector to
ensure funding for higher education aspirations and create a simpler and
more effective loan program, and demand "the highest standard of integrity" for
lenders in FFELP. |
| Tax Benefits |
Would create the American Opportunity Tax Credit, a fully refundable $4,000
tax credit available at the time of enrollment by using prior year tax data. |
Supports simplifying existing tax benefits and making tax benefit information
readily available to families in a "clear and concise manner." |
| Expand Pell Grants |
Would ensure "that the award keeps pace with the rising cost of college
inflation," but provides no specifics on how that would be accomplished. |
Acknowledges importance of grants and college savings vehicles. |
| Expanding the Role of Community Colleges |
Would create a Community College Partnership Program that would provide
grants to schools to allow them to conduct research on the skills and education
needed to fill high-demand jobs in local industry; implement new associate
degrees that cater to emerging industries; and financially reward schools
that successfully retain, graduate, or help transfer students. |
Supports increasing distance learning programs and ensuring that federal
laws do not discriminate against schools or institutions that offer distance
learning programs. Acknowledges importance of community colleges, but provides
no specifics on how to increase their accessibility to students. |
| Including Private Sector Employers |
Would "fully fund joint labor-management apprenticeship programs." |
No similar proposal. |
| Controlling College Costs |
No similar proposal. |
Would create a presidential commission to review how government regulations
and policies affect tuition increases. |
| Transparency in Higher Education |
No similar proposal. |
Believes the Department of Education collects an inordinate amount of information
from schools and does very little to help students and families make informed
decisions about college. Would require information to be presented in a clear
and concise manner. |
It should be noted the candidates' positions on specific issues often change once they begin working with Congress as president and receiving feedback from constituents and practitioners. NASFAA has not endorsed either candidate, but has been in contact with both campaigns to discuss ways to increase college participation rates and federal student aid. NASFAA President & CEO Dr. Phil Day has stated his intention to, within the first 100 days of the new administration, provide the next president with a list of recommendations on how to increase college access.
Additional Media Coverage
Sen. John McCain Resources
Sen. Barack Obama Resources
By Justin Draeger
NASFAA Associate Director for Communications
Posted 10/01/08 to www.NASFAA.org. Redistribution to non-NASFAA institutions is prohibited. Please submit Web Site questions or comments to Web@NASFAA.org.
