Letters to the Editor

2-year collegians need state help

I couldn’t agree more with The Blade that Ohio’s two-year students deserve access to state need-based aid (“Higher education” editorial, Sept. 21).

Community colleges continue to be a key driver of work-force development training and high-quality and affordable undergraduate education. That students at community colleges can’t get access to state need-based aid is unconscionable.

Tying two-year student access to the Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG) program to work-force development in a performance-based manner, as suggested by your editorial and by the Ohio Association of Community Colleges, would direct aid to a critical state priority and provide accountability for taxpayers.

As a member of the state House Higher Education Study Committee, with Columbus State Community College in my district, I urge my fellow lawmakers to consider opening access to OCOG for two-year students. It’s the right thing to do.

MICHAEL STINZIANO

Ohio House of Representatives 18th District Columbus
Read more at http://www.toledoblade.com/Letters-to-the-Editor/2013/10/06/2-year-collegians-need-state-help.html#5z7l3f0LjXrKcTG1.99