Students Give Bennett ‘F’ for Remarks on Aid Cuts

The president of the United States Student Assn. today called on Education Secretary William J. Bennett to apologize for saying cuts in student aid may force some young people to give up their stereos, cars and beach vacations.

At a news conference called to blast President Reagan’s proposed reductions in student aid, Gregory Moore, a recent graduate of Ohio University, said the reductions would “create chaos” in the student financial-aid process.

“We formally request an apology from Secretary Bennett for a statement that was an insult to parents and students,” Moore said.

Kathy Ozer, legislative director of the student association, called Bennett’s remarks “very scary and insensitive” and “not a reflection of the students we all represent.”

Moore called for Bennett to appear at the student association’s convention, March 15-18, in the Washington area.

Reagan caused a firestorm of debate last week when he proposed that a $4,000 cap be imposed on annual federal aid to any student and that no assistance go to a student whose family income tops $32,500.

Bennett, holding his first news conference Monday as education secretary, said: “You have to look at the major picture, I think the Administration is absolutely right.”

Bennett said the proposals would reduce the record federal deficit while assuring that needy students can get a college education.

He said, however, it could force some middle class-students to go to less-expensive schools or make “divestitures--like a stereo divestiture, an automobile divestiture or a three-weeks-at-the-beach divestiture.”