State scholarship money for student attending Baptist colleges cut 60 percent

Alabama Baptist college students were among the many affected by the 2003-2004 state budget that went into effect Oct. 1.

When the general fund and education budgets were signed into law by Gov. Bob Riley Sept. 29, state scholarship money provided to instate students at Alabama’s private colleges was cut by two-thirds for the 2003-2004 year. This includes funding to students attending Alabama’s three Baptist colleges- Judson College, Samford Universiy and the University of Mobile (UM).

David Perry, analyst in the state finance director’s office, said, “They won’t have as much money as they traditionally get,” so private colleges will have to “find some other way to subsidize the grants.”

But UM President Mark Foley said, “[UM]” will not be able to replace the funding with other forms of financial aid.”

And while Foley and other are appreciative that some funding was retained in the budget, the question remains about future funding.

Ginny Bugg, president of the Alabama Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, anticipates the scholarships will be cut entirely next year.

(TAB)