The eight-year bookstore services contract between North Lake College and Follett Higher Education Group, Inc., began a year ago. Offi cials promised an up-front payment of $350,000 from Follett that the district would use to offer book loans to students.
No details were available at press time, but offi cials reported that students began benefiting from the arrangement with Follett last semester. The Dallas County Community College District received the $350,000 last summer, said Ann Hatch, district director of media relations. She said the number and amounts of student loans granted this academic year are not yet available.
This contract with Follett isn’t the only aid available for students. Help is on the way from Congress, too.
The College Opportunity and Affordability Act became law in February. According to the Congressional Committee on Education and Labor, the new law will assist students by providing them with advance information on textbook prices and ensuring that faculty members have price information before they order textbooks.
In addition, committee members say on their Web site, Pell grant scholarships now will be available 12 months a year. And funding is being expanded for schools that serve minorities.
Hassan Bukhari, a second-semester student at North Lake, believes the new law will be helpful.
“Being a minority, I’m all for it,” Bukhari said. “Everyone wants to go to college. There are a lot of minorities in America, and that’s who we need to target for … benefi ts.”
Chris Ruiz, a third-semester North Lake student, believes the changes can only improve the lives of current and prospective students.
“A lot more people are going to want to go to college, and it will be easier to [attend],” said Ruiz. “A lot of current students will be happier, and they will be able to use their money for other things they need.”