Task Force Makes Progressive Suggestions for Financial Aid
The Editorial Board

Representatives from a task force of students and administrators, organized to examine how Pomona students' financial status may limit their academic and social opportunities, held a forum in Frank Blue Room this past Wednesday to disclose the results of their research and discussion.

The task force was thorough in their examination of ways in which low-income students would have a different experience at Pomona than their classmates. The college would do well to institute the recommendations of the task force, as well as continually assess students' financial needs. The ability of students to participate fully in the social life at Pomona, especially with regards to the sufficiency of number of free events offered on campus, was not examined in the report. The issues that were examined, however, merit attention, explanation and reform.

The report had a number of suggestions with regard to internships. The task force recommended that the current average stipend awarded to students for internships during the school year be increased from 450 dollars to 800 dollars. Additionally it was suggested that students should be provided with metro-link cards to cover transportation costs into Los Angeles. The stipend increase would enable students to not need both an on-campus job in addition to the internship stipend.

The task force also commented on the need for a new summer internship support program for low-income students, citing the advantages given to classmates whose parents can afford to support an unpaid internship far from home.

The task force noted that with regard to financial aid, there were a number of options that many students were unaware of that were designed to address the incidental costs of school. Included in services that are covered under financial aid were physical examinations, immunizations, visas, and passports. The task force said that communication of what can be covered should be improved.

For Study Abroad, it was recommended that, "During the semester that low income students go abroad, the College should enhance its financial aid offer so that, for the one semester abroad, grant aid replaces work study allocations." The report described the necessity of making study abroad a viable option for all students, and the importance and relevance of an experience abroad, especially for those who had not previously had the opportunity to travel.

The report recommended that during a student's senior year, low-income students should be, "advised about expenses that will be associated with thesis work, fellowship, graduation and job or professional school placement." It also suggested implementing a program of Smart Cards that would contain all of a student's financial information and give them instant access to funds. The Pomona College student body would benefit from using these suggestions and from reviewing as well, the social aspects of on campus participation with relation to financial limitations. The report also commented that, "The Office of Student Affairs should prepare a short summary of the types of issues that can be resolved by the office and distribute it to the student body each year. In particular, low income students should know about emergency loans, support for urgent unanticipated and uninsured medical costs, and the ability of the Office to cover bills at Baxter until students can receive insurance reimbursement." Hopefully these new ideas will be implemented and as summarized by the report, "intervene to make services work to the advantage of low income and self supporting students."