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"State officials, grappling with several years of budget deficits, have been searching for a way to rein in the ballooning Cal Grant program that gives scholarships to low-income students. In 2003, the state spent $460 million to give out 147,000 Cal Grants."

"'We're pleased that the Senate has reached a deal to keep rates low and continue offering hard-working students a fair shot at an affordable education,' he said. 'Higher education has never been more important to getting a good job. That's why President Obama has made stopping this rate hike and saving 7.4 million students an average of $1,000 a priority since his State of the Union and has repeatedly called on Congress to act.'"

"Pell Grants' original focus was to facilitate college access for low-income students. Since 1972, when the program began, the number of students from the lowest income quartile going to college has increased by more than 50 percent. However, Robinson and Cheston report that the percentage who completed college by age 24 decreased from 21.9 percent in 1972 to 19.9 percent."

"A Windward Community College program aimed at helping low-income students get into - and complete - college has received a five-year, $1.15 million federal grant. Students enter the Educational Talent Search program in sixth grade and are offered intensive college and career planning counseling, including help with applying for financial aid."

"'Part of some people's stigma is that it's only geared for low-income families,' she said. 'It's for anyone, and that's been the hardest thing to stress. This is for any child.' The program runs for eight weeks during the summer, officials said."

"Nearly 100 at-risk youths are spending their summer immersed in fun, faith and education at the John 3:16 Mission's Summer Kids Camp. This is the 14th year the mission has offered the free camp for children who are going into grades one through five. 'We saw in our homeless population a serious literacy issue and wanted to do something about it,' said the Rev. Steve Whitaker, CEO of the John 3:16 Mission."

"The wealth gap between households headed by someone over 65 and those headed by someone under 35 is wider than at any point since the Federal Reserve Board began keeping consistent data in 1989. The gap in homeownership is the largest since Census Bureau data began in 1982."

"WE'RE always saying that 'children are our nation's most valuable resource.' Unfortunately, we don't behave as if we believe it. Between 2000 and 2010, the number of children living in poverty in America increased by 41 percent, and now includes nearly one-quarter of our kids. Growing up in poverty is bad."

"Dauphin County Commissioner George Hartwick III said the county stopped providing grocery shopping and laundry assistance to its senior citizens in 2005. The county Aging office had to cut services and lay off staff to close a $1.3 million budget deficit."

"These are the numbers that matter most: 2.3 million people in New York State without a high school diploma 1.3 million in the city. The economy needs educated workers. Anyone willing to study for the G.E.D. deserves help. "

"This program provides children in low-income areas with free breakfasts and/or lunches during the summer. No registration is required -- children can just show up at the approved site during the designated time period."

"Providing low-income students access to higher education is a national priority, and the federal Pell grant program, which provides up to $5,550 per student per year, is a major tool. But its cost to taxpayers is enormous."