MISSOULA
As of July 1, Congress is providing the nation's neediest college students with more federal financial aid and greater access to federal loans than ever before. Mick Hanson is director of the University of Montana's financial aid office. He says the increase in available aid for students is unprecedented. Hanson says Congress voted to increase the money for Pell Grants, and the borrowing capabilities available with Stafford loans. He says that, in his 38 years in the business, this is the biggest increase he's seen in student financial aid. This past spring, the nation graduated 3.3 million high school students, the highest number in its history; and a record number of college students some 18.3 million are projected to enter college during the 2008-09 academic year. (AP)
