European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 22, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Malaise in graduate stud financing problem grows by Maura Reynolds los Angeles times for years Tricia Pitton has wanted to earn a doctorate and teach English at a University. Last year with the enthusiastic support of her professors she began applying for pm d programs in literature. But As american universities opened their doors to a fresh Batch of students this fall the 28-year-old Pitton was not among them. She was unable to find the Money either in Loans or Grants for graduate education and instead has gone Back to work. Quot i was ready to make the commitment to graduate school. I did everything in my Power to make it happen but i could t even borrow enough. Now in a trying to walk away from this without a sense of  financing has been a growing problem in the United states for Many students in recent years but some of the toughest blows have fallen on graduate students a those such As Pitton who want to continue their education beyond the Standard four years of College. Many educators fear that the cutbacks could Hurt society Over the Long term forcing Bright Young people to prolong a or in some cases abandon a efforts to earn their doctorates or discourage them from entering Academia. Recent studies show that Ever since the Early 1970s, there has been a steady increase in the percentage of american students pursuing professional degrees in Law Medicine or business and a decline in the percentage of students seeking higher graduate academic degrees. A a we be had a draining away of some of the Ablest people into the professions and business a says Michael i. Sovern president of Columbia University a at the very time that Many anticipate a surge in demand for University professors in the mid-1990s. To be sure Overall statistics show that government support for graduate education actually has mushroomed in recent years surging to $7.3 billion in 1986 from Only $1.9 billion in 1974, according to figures compiled by the department of education. But Only 27 percent of All graduate students get any help from Uncle Sam either in Grants or Loans. Another 35 percent receive Aid from their own universities. And 38 percent get no financial help at All. And recent budget cuts a and changes in the tax Law a have Cut into what benefits they do receive. The 1986 tax Reform act for example required for the first time that students pay taxes both on their income from fellowships and on the tuition Grants they receive. Quot graduate education was absolutely savaged by the Reagan administration Quot complains John Groch a University of Iowa graduate student who watched his Fellowship dwindle during most of the 1980s. Graduate study actually is a relatively new development in american education. Although Many of the nations universities were founded in the 17th and 18th centuries it was Only a Little Over 100 years ago that even a few of them began formal doctoral programs. Even until the end of world War ii graduate education was a privilege largely for the Rich. The first big break for the less privileged came with the go Bill at the end of world War ii under which the government paid education costs for returning War veterans. But graduate education really began to Blossom in 1956 after the soviet launch of sputnik the worlds first space satellite spawned the first Large scale Federal support for higher education. Joseph Kett a University of Virginia professor recalls. That after sputnik both government and private foundations began pouring Money into graduate education. The number of  Quot was greatly increased a Kett remembers creating a  glut in the 1970s. In recent years however tight Federal budgets have forced Washington to Cut Back sharply on support for higher education targeting what remains of such Aid primarily to undergraduates from Low income families. Support for Middle income students a particularly graduate students a was squeezed forcing Many universities to rely on teaching assistant ships under which graduate students earn tuition credits for teaching undergraduate courses. But such fellowships often Burden graduate students with heavy teaching loads that Cut into their own studies. Some graduate students have rebelled unionizing themselves just like other University employees. A two Day not since the Early 1970s, there has been a drop in the percentage of american students seeking graduate academic degrees and an increase in career oriented students who pursue Only professional degrees. Strike by graduate students at the University of California Berkeley last year forced authorities to shut Down 66 percent of the University a undergraduate courses. Graduate students number a scant 1.3 million compared with 10.6 million undergraduates enrolled in 1988. Many educators View them As an important link to the nations future productivity a those who become its doctors scientists policy analysts judges social workers and University professors. Graduate students Quot Are some of the most important people in the country Quot asserts John Vaughn director of Federal relations at the association of american universities the Man in charge of the organization s graduate education program. With the Federal budget still extremely tight few analysts expect the government to increase its Aid Levels significantly. As a result universities increasingly Are beginning to try to change the Way they use existing Money. Some Are granting special Quot dissertation fellowships to doctoral candidates that free them from teaching so they can concentrate on finishing their dissertations. Others Are experimenting with four year fellowships for those who qualify academically in an attempt to reduce students fears that their Grants May be Cut off before they have completed degree requirements. Barry Bluestone a Boston University economist has proposed using Money in the social Security Trust fund to make Loans for graduate education students later would repay the Loans through payroll deductions. Critics Point out that existing student loan programs have suffered from unusually High rates of default a a Factor that has dampened Public enthusiasm for expanding the current program. Few expect the Bluestone plan to catch fire and altering the Way universities distribute existing monies Means that some students will be squeezed a As Tricia Pitton was this year. Quot in order to Supply greater support to students we have to reduce the total number of them Quot Columbia University a Sovern explains. One technique tried at Columbia has been to ask students to take out Loans on their own to cover the first year or two of their studies in the Hopes that if they do Well they will qualify for University fellowships later. Quot the person then has to take out Loans and essentially place a bet on himself or herself Quot Sovern says. The big Battle May come next Winter when Congress considers renewing the higher education act. Lobby groups already Are gearing up to press lawmakers to restore Money for scholarships teaching assistant ships and research assistant ships for doctoral students. But Columbia s Sovern insists that the real solution is a matter of principle. Quot the erosion of the commitment to make higher education available to everyone is a National tragedy Quot he says. Quot the Public has to be made aware that their own children will be disadvantaged and the nation will be disadvantaged vis a vis the rest of the  Page 16 a a a the stars and stripes monday october 22,1990