Republican Senator Richard Burr would rather sell out low income students than say no to his special interest friends in Washington.

Burr is a primary sponsor of a measure that reduces by several billion dollars the money that low-income students receive in federal Pell grants. The neediest of students would lose about an average of $300 in increased scholarship aid under Burr’s proposal.

That’s remarkable considering that 147,095 North Carolina students received Pell Grants totaling more than $365.8 million during the 2005-2006 school year. (US Department of Education: http://www.ed.gov/finaid/prof/resources/data/pell-2005-06/table-22-2005-06.xls)

What would make Burr sell out his own constituents?

Burr received nearly $130,000 from private student loan lenders for his personal campaign account and his leadership PAC, the Next Century Fund. Wachovia and Sallie Mae have been the most generous of givers, donating $44,350 and $14,500 respectively through their companies and corporate PACs. (HigherEdWatch.org: http://www.newamerica.net/blogs/education_policy/2007/07/banking_ben_nelson_and_richard_burr)

Private lenders, under the Democratic proposal, would get less in federal government subsidies. The savings would then be redirected to increase spending for student aid.

“I’m not saying Richard Burr is bought and paid for,” said NCDP Chair Jerry Meek. “But Burr’s actions could leave thousands of hard-working North Carolina college students stuck with the bill.”