
DATE: Wednesday, July 9, 1997               TAG: 9707090457

SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY WARREN FISKE, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE                   LENGTH:   99 lines

BEYER PROPOSES PLAN TO BOLSTER COLLEGE AID THOUGH SIMILAR TO GILMORE'S PROPOSAL, HIS PACKAGE WOULD GIVE MORE TO NEEDY.

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Donald S. Beyer Jr. on Tuesday proposed a $262.4 million package of new college scholarships that he said would make higher education more affordable for about 100,000 Virginia students.

The sweeping plan would offer one-time $2,000 scholarships to high school students graduating with B averages and increase the amount of state grants available to financially needy students by more than half.

Beyer also endorsed free second-year tuition at community colleges for students earning a B average while studying high-demand technological trades.

And he said Virginia should match every dollar privately contributed to college endowments for scholarships with $4 of taxpayer money.

The announcement set the stage for a vigorous debate this fall on how far the state should go in defraying the costs of attending Virginia's public colleges and universities, which have the fourth most expensive average tuitions in the nation.

Republican gubernatorial nominee James S. Gilmore III has proposed investing more money than Beyer in establishing a scholarship to reward academic performance. Unlike Beyer, however, Gilmore will not seek to beef up college grant money available solely on financial need.

That difference led Beyer to claim that he would make money available to twice as many students as Gilmore.

``My plan looks at academic achievement while better assuring that financial circumstances are not a bar to college education,'' Beyer said during a luncheon speech at an education conference at the University of Virginia attended by about 150 teachers and administrators.

``In a world with no financial constraints, God bless his plan,'' Beyer said of his opponent's proposal.

Mark A. Miner, a spokesman for Gilmore, said making grants dependent on merit will compel students of all economic backgrounds to hit the books. Noting that Gilmore made his proposal last November, Miner added: ``We welcome Don Beyer's belated effort.''

Average annual tuition and mandatory fees for in-state students attending state colleges during the coming school year will total $4,095, according to the State Council of Higher Education. Average charges for optional on-campus room and board are another $4,506.

Gilmore proposed awarding $2,000 in-state scholarships to high school students who graduate with a B average, have good citizenship records and score in the top 20 percent on a standardized test soon to be implemented in Virginia schools.

Students would be awarded the $2,000 scholarship each of a maximum four years they were working on undergraduate degrees, provided they maintained B averages in college. Beyer's plan would offer only a one-time $2,000 grant.

The major difference in the two overall plans, however, is that Beyer would make an additional $120 million in grants available to financially needy students over the next four years.

The amount would be added to $208 million the state already is expected to spend over the next four years on the Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program, which provides tuition grants on a merit and need-based formula; and the strictly need-based Commonwealth Awards.

Under current funding, the state is able to make grants to only 35 percent of the students eligible for the scholarships. Beyer said his plan would provide enough money to help 60 percent of those who qualified for the grant.

Beyer said the 4-to-1 state match for private scholarship endowments will help universities attract such gifts from individuals. The state now matches private scholarship donations dollar for dollar.

The Democrat said the $262.4 million four-year cost of his program can be paid for without a tax increase through anticipated annual 5 percent growth in state revenues. Gilmore has said growth would also pay for his plan, estimated to cost $240 million over the next four years. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic

Color photos

GUBERNATORIAL HOPEFULS ON HIGHER EDUCATION

GILMORE'S PLAN

Gives $2,000 scholarships to in-state high school students who

score in the top 20 percent on a standardized test to be implemented

in Virginia schools, have good behavior records and graduate with a

B average. The scholarships would be awarded each of a maximum of

four years at a Virginia private or public college, provided

students maintain a B average.

Continue the prepaid tuition program, which allows parents to buy

future years at Virginia colleges at today's prices.

Continue tuition freeze.