When Senator Edward Kennedy passed away early this morning, the student financial aid community and students across the nation lost a tireless advocate for educational opportunity and college access. His commitment to making higher education accessible for all students was just one way Kennedy championed equal rights for all U.S. citizens.

For nearly half a century, Kennedy served his country in the Senate by pushing policies that provide the nation's less privileged with the means to better themselves. No issue better reflects his commitment to helping the nation's disadvantaged and underserved populations than his continual efforts to tear down the financial barriers keeping students from pursuing and achieving higher education goals.

"Kennedy's commitment to education has benefited countless students who now have better opportunities to maximize their potential," Joan Crissman, NASFAA's interim president and CEO said. "Part of Kennedy's legacy will be a stronger nation, because the success of America is highly dependent on the success of its students."

Kennedy helped shape the major federal student aid programs, including Pell Grants in 1972, the Direct Loan program in the 1990s, and the Academic Competitiveness and SMART Grants in 2006. After the creation of aid programs, Kennedy constantly fought to increase funding for student aid and oppose efforts to eliminate or cut funding.

Beyond his public role fighting for the nation's students, Kennedy was also a family man -- a husband, father, brother and uncle. NASFAA extends its thoughts and prayers to the Kennedy family, which has given so much to better our country.

NASFAA encourages you to express your thoughts on the passing of Sen. Edward Kennedy by leaving comments on the national chair blog.

Posted 08/26/09 to www.NASFAA.org. Redistribution to non-NASFAA institutions is prohibited. Please submit Web site questions or comments to Web@NASFAA.org.