Thursday, May 24, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Signs Historic Higher Education Plan for Cape Girardeau Students, Families
CAPE GIRARDEAU– Gov. Matt Blunt today signed an historic higher education plan for Missouri students and families. The plan increases funding for student scholarships, introduces accountability measures, provides tuition stabilization and includes the Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative, which would provide $335 million for new state-of-the-art learning centers for Missouri students.
“This historic plan enhances the quality of education for students at Southeast Missouri State University and contributes new investments for learning, research and economic development opportunities as well as for the River Campus,” Gov. Blunt said. “This legislation will put higher education in reach for more Missouri students and families than ever before. Significant improvements such as increased funding for Missouri’s colleges and universities, tuition stabilization measures and added scholarships will open the door to higher education for thousands of students and families in Cape Girardeau and across the state.”
Blunt signed Senate Bill 389 while visiting with students and educators at Southeast Missouri State University. The governor’s higher education package:
- Includes $17.2 million for River Campus
- $2.6 million for Southeast Missouri Autism Center
- $4.5 million for business incubator
- $173,000 for dental hygiene clinic at Sikeston
- Increases the number of students receiving scholarships from Access Missouri from 300 to an estimated 1,900 students
- Increases the Southeast Missouri State University operating budget by 4.3 percent
“Missouri college students owe Governor Blunt and the leadership in the State Legislature a big thank you for their steadfast commitment to higher education. The MOHELA bill will provide tuition stabilization and a monumental scholarship increase. Combined, both will relieve considerable financial pressure associated with being a college student. Governor Blunt is undoubtedly Missouri’s Education Governor,” said Lucas Presson, senior majoring in chemistry and speech communication.
“I believe this is one of, if not the most important higher education bill in our state’s history,” said Senate Bill 389 sponsor Senator Gary Nodler. “The Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative, combined with the new Access Missouri Scholarship program and increased funding for both higher education and scholarships will not only turn higher education around in our state, but will also revolutionize our higher education institutions and the opportunities available to our students.”
The legislation creates the Access Missouri Scholarship that more than doubles funding for needs based scholarships, increasing the funding available statewide from $27.5 million to $72.5 million and making them more available to thousands of Missouri families. The legislation also enacts the governor’s landmark Lewis & Clark Discovery Initiative.
The governor’s Lewis & Clark Discovery Initiative is a partnership between the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority (MOHELA) and the state that sells loans held by students in other states generating $335 million to strengthen Missouri’s colleges and universities. The initiative will provide much needed funding for state-of-the-art learning and research centers to prepare students to compete in today’s global economy where higher quality learning in areas such as math and science are crucial elements for students’ future success.
“I applaud the General Assembly for sending me this bill that takes an enormous stride forward for higher education in our state,” Gov. Blunt added.