Student government leaders have petitioned ISU President Gregory Geoffroy to bring student financial aid to the level provided by the other regent universities.

The Government of the Student Body Senate will discuss a resolution at its meeting tomorrow asking ISU President Gregory Geoffroy to increase the portion of tuition designated for financial aid from 11 percent to at least 16 percent.

Earlier this month the Board of Regents proposed an 18.5 percent tuition increase for each of the three regent universities. Iowa State has proposed setting aside 11 percent of this increase for need-based financial aid.

GSB President Andy Tofilon said the University of Iowa has set aside 16 percent of the increase for need-based financial aid, and the University of Northern Iowa has set aside 18 percent of the increase.

“We are the lowest by far, and what we are proposing will help to offset the horrible ramifications of the proposed tuition increase,” Tofilon said. “This is the very least we can do to retain quality students.”

Tony Luken, the resolution’s sponsor, said it’s important for Iowa State to remain on par with the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa in terms of financial aid.

“We’re way behind at 11 percent,” said Luken, LAS. “Seeing how the next tuition numbers aren’t that great, a lot of students will need a lot of help.”

The resolution is going through its first read this week, Luken said, and the senate might opt to waive the second reading.

“This is a pressing issue,” he said. “We really need to hit this home.”

Tofilon and GSB Vice President Charlie Johnson have met with ISU administrators to discuss their proposal, and Luken said it’s important for the senate to show its support.

“We think the senate should stand right behind them,” he said.

Johnson said he is concerned more students will be plunged into debt with the pending tuition increases.

“We want the increase in financial aid to be at least equal with that of the other regent universities,” Johnson said. “Iowa State students already graduate with the highest debt of all the regent universities, and this will just make it worse.”

Geoffroy said the administration is looking at the budget and evaluating Tofilon and Johnson’s proposal. A decision will be made before the Board of Regents’ November meeting in Iowa City, where the regents will vote on the proposed tuition increase.

“It would be a great thing, there’s no question about it,” Geoffroy said. “The question is can we afford to do it with our current budget situation.”

Earl Dowling, director of ISU student financial aid, said he didn’t speak to Tofilon and Johnson about the proposal, but he helped inform them about financial aid in general.

“As the director of financial aid, I support any increase to help our students earn a quality education,” he said.

Johnson said he fears students will suffer if administrators don’t increase the amount set aside for need-based financial aid.

“We’re very concerned with students who are very close to not being able to continue their education,” he said. “Adding 5 percent more to need-based financial aid to help them remain at Iowa State will make a huge difference.”

Luken said opposition potentially could be posed by students who do not receive financial aid.

“Some people believe their tuition money should go to bettering their education, not to other people,” he said. “But you can’t learn anything if you can’t pay for school.”

Tofilon said the entire university is affected by the budget problems.

“We really encourage all students to e-mail President Geoffroy to encourage the increase in financial aid,” Tofilon said. “We all have friends, classmates and even roommates adversely affected by the proposed tuition increases. The university and President Geoffroy need to do everything they can to ensure students can afford to get a quality education.”