WASHINGTON, DC -- Jesuit colleges and universities are among the top institutions in the country leading an effort, sponsored by the Student Aid Alliance, to save federal student aid from being cut in the negotiation process to reduce the budget deficit.

The Student Aid Alliance, a coalition of over 70 higher education associations, created a petition to protect student aid and have asked colleges and universities from across the nation to sign on. At the present time, over 111,000 individuals have signed the petition, which will be sent to Congress. Twelve out of the top 25 institutions with the highest number of supporters are Jesuit colleges and universities: Loyola University Chicago (#1 slot), Fordham University (#2), Loyola Marymount University (#4), Santa Clara University (#5), Canisius College (#7), University of San Francisco (#8), Marquette University (#10), Le Moyne College (#12), Seattle University (#13), University of Scranton (#17), Gonzaga University (#18), and John Carroll University (#21).

"It is part of our mission as Jesuit institutions to support efforts that provide educational access to students," said Rev. Greg Lucey, S.J., president of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU). "This petition is one way we can help preserve the federal funding needed to make college possible for many students around the country."

The effort comes in response to meetings of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, otherwise known as the Supercommittee, that has been charged with making recommendations by November 23 to reduce the budget by at least $1.2 trillion. Since recent budget cuts have already eliminated $30 billion from student aid programs, many from the higher education community are concerned about further cuts to Pell grants or student loans.

"Pell grants are essential for students of limited income to attend college. If our nation is to remain globally competitive, cutting Pell grants or any other student aid program will not achieve that goal and will limit economic growth," said Cyndy Littlefield, AJCU's Director of Federal Relations. "We are proud that our institutions are leading the way in advocating for federal funds that will help many students realize their dreams to pursue higher education."

In relation to the campaign, individual Jesuit institutions have found creative ways to raise awareness about protecting federal aid. The University of San Francisco's Associated Students of USF Senate and Fordham University's United Student Government have both passed resolutions in favor of supporting the petition and saving student aid. Fordham's resolution noted that "nearly 555,000 New York students will receive more than $2.5 billion in Pell grants for the next school year," and emphasized that "during the 2010-11 academic year, 1,799 Fordham students received more than $7.9 million in Pell Grants and 1,248 received more than $2.1 million in Student Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG) funding."

Today, students from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles are attempting to solve the nation's budget challenges through a web game called Budget Hero, which was created by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and American Public Media and former Representative Jane Harman. Students will play the game, which involves making cuts to the federal deficit, then participate in a discussion and press conference.

At Loyola University Chicago (LUC), a group of about 100 students have formed the Student Financial Aid Alliance (SFAA), with the goal of engaging grassroots advocacy for higher education funding on the federal and state levels.

“Over 3,000 students, which is about one-third of the undergraduate population, receive Pell grants at Loyola,” explained Maggie Meza, a senior at LUC and organizer of SFAA. “Helping students from all economic backgrounds get to college is important because socio-economic diversity allows for intellectual diversity.” LUC also produced a video on Pell grants which can be accessed on YouTube.

The Student Aid Alliance petition will be available to sign over the next few weeks. Those interested in seeing/signing the statement of support can access the petition at the Student Aid Alliance website.

For more information, contact Melissa Collins Di Leonardo, 202-862-9893 or mdileonardo@ajcunet.edu.