There could be good news regarding direct student loans for SIUC students if President Bill Clinton’s counter-proposal to the Republican’s 7-year plan to balance the budget is passed, Sen. Paul Simon, D-Ill., says.

Simon said he thinks Clinton’s proposal is a step in the right direction for education. He said because SIUC is a member of the direct student loan program, the school could benefit from the president’s counter-proposal.

Clinton vetoed the Republican’s plan on Wednesday. That plan called for cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, education, environmental planning and a tax increase, Clinton said in a press release Wednesday.

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Clinton also said Wednesday that the proposed educational cutbacks would essentially end the direct student loan program. He said Thursday that his 7-year counter-proposal to balance the budget would offer no caps for colleges that have the direct student loan program.

Simon said without caps, the direct student loan program could help more people get an education.

It encourages people to go to college, Simon said. It is an investment in our future.

In general, what the president has proposed is best for our society. He will continue to fight for education, I’m confident.

Pamela Britton, SIUC financial aid director, said the financial aid office has found the direct student loan program to be advantageous to students who seek higher education.

She said she is pleased with Clinton’s veto because the caps on the direct student loan program would limit SIUC’s chance to participate in it.

Britton said with the caps, universities that began the program in its first year would probably not be cut from the program. She said the 1,400 universities, including SIUC, that began the program in its second year would probably have been removed had the Republican plan passed.

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We were worried that the 10 percent cap would keep us out of the program, Britton said. That’s a lot of schools and a lot of students no one wants out.

Britton said she hopes Congress will look at Clinton’s counter-proposal and support the direct student loan program.

We believe the direct student loan program is a good program, Britton said. Clinton’s remarks tells us his support is very strong for the program.

Amanda Poffinbarger, a junior in zoology from Mattoon, said Clinton’s veto is a relief. She said she depends on student loans to afford college.

I would not be able to attend school without them, she said.

Poffinbarger said the direct student loan program is better than the previous method of standing in lines for student loan checks.

As for balanced budget negotiations, Simon said they could begin as early as next week. He said he thinks Clinton’s counter-proposal moves things in a position where serious negotiation can begin.