[john]

JDM- I do not see how you saved money under the Bush administration for college. You switch schools. Tuition is different prices depending on where you go. I work full time year round at ACE Hardware so I can afford my car (which I cannot) and pay for school. I had a similar income and the same school. In a somewhat constant medium, I have lost my grant.

Peter- I do not believe that everyone should get grants. I am just trying to use my experiences to show that not everyone has been helped by Bush as far as education is concerned. I believe we need to change our policies as far as grants are issued.
My dad has been out of work for probly 5 years now. My mom is supporting the family under her own income at ~$30-40,000/year. She has been at her job for 35 years now and has OK job security. I only applied for the FAFSA grant. According to FAFSA, my parents should be able to afford to pay me $9000/ year for college in family support. How the hell is that supposed to work? We can afford to give me 25% of the family income for college? I also have a twin brother who is also going to college at the same time. He is in the same boat. According to the government, our family is supposed to give up half of our $30-40,000 income per year to support us in school. That is where I see a problem in the government education process. We need to make more strict requirements for the people applying for the grants. Now, we give out a little money to a lot of people. Hell, I was kicked off it this year along with my brother. We do not recieve any grant money. I am forced to work 35-40hrs/ week so I can fund going to school. Any of you college kids know how hard it is to take 16-17 credits per semester and have to work at the same time. There is no free time. You can ask my friends how frugal I am right now. I try not to spend any money as I need to save it for tuition next january.

I may come back later and respond to some of your friends claims.