Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 487

18 WEEKEND EDITION, APRIL 8, 2006 Multimajor students could lose financial aid from state EDUCATION New bill would offer exemption from law Lowering college-credit threshold for state aid Under current state law, aid is cut off once a student has accrued the following credit hours: 2006-07 Up to 155 credit hours. 2007-08 Up to 150 credit hours. 2008-09 Up to 145 credit hours. Source: Arizona Legislature By Laura Houston LAURA.HOUSTONiBARIZONAREPUBtlC.COM Jason Grimsman was on track to graduate with a political science degree from Arizona State University. Then, his brother suffered a terrible accident that changed Grimsman forever.

If House Bill 2816 were approved, the $9 million savings could be reduced to Since summer 2005, the Goodyear resident has wanted to be a doctor and plans to graduate from ASU West in May. He said he'd be happy working as a doctor or a politician, and he expects to have about 170 credit hours by the time he accepts his two Jason Grimsman $1.5 million, she said. The measure would afford special consideration for students who earned multiple degrees, transferred from out-of-state or from private universities or wanted to receive teaching certification. It also would not count credit hours against a student that were not transferable from a community college to a public urivcrsity. The cedit threshold would only affect undergraduate students in the state's public uu'vs rsities: Arizona State University, the University of Arizona and Northern Arizom.

University. The bill stipulates that the regents would annually report to the Legislature how many students surpassed the threshold. If a measure that Fernando Ascenscio supports. The UA student is on track to graduate in four years with 152 credit hours in political science and psychology. "I came into the university system with 32 credits because of (advanced placement) tests and CLEP credits," he told state senators recently.

"I am very much in support of this bill." But a law approved last year threatens to withhold state aid from ambitious individuals pursuing multiple degrees, like Grimsman, even though it was meant to target "professional students" who won't complete a degree. A new measure, House Bill 2816, would create exemptions for some students after they'd accrued 145 hours by 2007-08. "This will encourage students to pick a major and move forward," Rep. Jennifer Burns, R-Tucson, recently told the Senate Higher Education According to the Arizona Board of Regents, the state law, based on last session's Senate Bill 1517, should save taxpayers about $9 million a year. However, regents spokeswoman Anne Barton said the law gives no weight to students' merit or fL .1 lie Wdi IIM, Ml.

fi a fict that walking and bicydinj? are good exercise. Plus, by choosing alternate ways of getting around, you can save money and help to reduce traffic congestion and pollution. Wouldn't mom be proud! So keep it up, because HIGHER EDUCATION BRIEFS Spirituality authority Thurman to discuss religious tolerance ASU WEST International spirituality authority Robert Thurman will address contemporary issues of religious tolerance and lessons he learned among Tibetan Buddhists on April 18 at Arizona State University at the West campus. The free lecture is in La Sala ballroom on the campus, at 4701 W. Thunderbird Road, Phoenix.

Visitor parking is $1 per hour. For information, call (602) 543-4502. Easter Egg Hunt offers kids competition in 4 age divisions MIDWESTERN UNIVERSITY The ninth annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held at 10 a.m. next Saturday at the campus Ramada. Light refreshments will be served, and the Easter bunny will be waiting for children to have their photos taken with him.

Four age divisions will compete to find the most Easter eggs. Kids are encouraged to bring a basket. For more information, call the Midwestern Office of Student Activities at (623) 572-3213. Midwestern is at 19555 N. 59th Glendale.

Free information session set Wednesday on applying for aid GLENDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE For those who need help applying for money to pay for college, a free informational session is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday at GCC, 6C00 W. Olive Ave. Last-minute applicants can get help with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, found at www.fafsa.ed.gov. These sessions will held be in the Career Counseling Center in Room 108.

For more information about how you can help clean up Glendale's air call. 623.930.2085, or visit www.glendaleaz.comltAIIAddsUp SEPA US. Deportment oflansportation GLENCE.