Legislators and ISU officials question how much help students will receive from President Bush’s education budget.

State Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, said the federal budget, released Monday, is being handled irresponsibly.

“It’s a flood tide of red ink. It’s a massive federal deficit that threatens the long-term debt of the American economy,” Quirmbach said. “The budget will place a momentous burden of debt onto young people.”

Gary Steinke, assistant to ISU President Gregory Geoffroy and director of government relations, said there is a reason for the lack of funding for higher education within the proposed budget. Bush has received heavy criticism because he has not fully funded the No Child Left Behind Act. As a result, there is a emphasis on K-12 funding.

Roberta Johnson, associate director of student financial aid, said the proposed budget would increase Pell grants for community colleges, but it is not as helpful for students seeking higher education.

“I think that the student financial aid people are a little bit disappointed that it hasn’t gone farther,” she said. “There are issues we would like to see discussed.”

Many federal programs involving student aid are up for