Dr. Helen Ray, Brenau's vice president for academic affairs, said Brenau is one of 28 independent colleges in Georgia whose students will suffer if this year's legislative budget cutting in higher education is approved.
At issue is funding for the Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG). TEG is an important financial resource for residents attending Georgia 's private colleges, and Governor Sonny Perdue has proposed a 17.3 percent cut in TEG funding going into the 2003-04 academic year.
Dr. Ray points out that while private college tuition is typically higher than that of our public university counterparts, the privates save Georgia budget dollars by partnering with the state to educate more than 34,000 citizens and help prepare them to contribute to the state's economic engine.
If these students had chosen to enroll in a public college, she said, the state would have to use $272 million in taxpayer funded tuition assistance.
In addition, according to Brenau officials, there are other savings private colleges bring to Georgia taxpayers.
"Georgia residents must be offered a choice in their education," said Dr. Helen Ray, Brenau's vice president for academic affairs. "Current statistics show that 70 percent of private college students receive some form of financial assistance."
Last year, more than 34,000 students attending private colleges throughout Georgia relied on TEG to enable them to receive the college education that best suits their needs.
At Brenau, 66 percent of all students receive financial aid and in the Women's College, that percentage is 79 percent.
These students will have to make up the loss somehow if the proposed budget is approved.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2003/3/182434