NASFAA Mourns the Loss of Sen. Kennedy, a Tireless Advocate for Student Aid
This post was written by Barry Simmons
August 26, 2009 11:28 am Kennedy
When Senator Edward Kennedy passed away early this morning, the student financial aid community and students across the nation lost a tireless advocate for educational opportunity and college access. His commitment to making higher education accessible for all students was just one way Kennedy championed equal rights for all U.S. citizens.
For nearly half a century, Kennedy served his country in the Senate by pushing policies that provide the nation’s less privileged with the means to better themselves. No issue better reflects his commitment to helping the nation’s disadvantaged and underserved populations than his continual efforts to tear down the financial barriers keeping students from pursuing and achieving higher education goals.
“Kennedy’s commitment to education has benefited countless students who now have better opportunities to maximize their potential,” Joan Crissman, NASFAA’s interim president and CEO said. “Part of Kennedy’s legacy will be a stronger nation, because the success of America is highly dependent on the success of its students.”
Kennedy helped shape the major federal student aid programs, including Pell Grants in 1972, the Direct Loan program in the 1990s, and the Academic Competitiveness and SMART Grants in 2006. After the creation of aid programs, Kennedy constantly fought to increase funding for student aid and oppose efforts to eliminate or cut funding.
Beyond his public role fighting for the nation’s students, Kennedy was also a family man — a husband, father, brother and uncle. NASFAA extends its thoughts and prayers to the Kennedy family, which has given so much to better our country.
NASFAA encourages you to express your thoughts on the passing of Sen. Edward Kennedy by posting your comments.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
I was deeply saddened to hear of Senator Kennedy’s passing on last night’s news. I send my condolences to his family and friends. I had the pleasure of meeting Senator Kennedy in person in 2006, and I have always had great respect for his work. Thank you, Senator Kennedy, for your dedication, commitment, and service. You will be missed.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
I was not a fan of Ted Kennedy but my thoughts and prayers are extended to his family for their loss.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Why don’t you all make Joan’s interim appointment permanent?
August 26th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
The passing of Ted Kennedy is truly a loss for all of us – regardless of ones political perspective he was a true statesman both within and outside the Senate.
His leadership and presence within our collective societies was truly a gift that we benefited form.
I grieve because of his loss for his family, his state, the nation and the Senate.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Our world is changed forever with the passing of this legend. Let’s hope that someone will step up to the plate soon to continue working on his commitment to making our world a better place to live - through education, civil rights, and so on.
We’ll never be the same…
August 26th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
I have been in financial aid since 1985 and without Senator Kennedy’s tireless fight to keep education open to all, I would not have been able to attend college or become a Director of Financial Aid. It is a sad day for those of us that grew up with the Kennedy family. My thoughts and prayers to the family and loved ones.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
I am saddened at the loss of Senator Ted Kennedy. I have long admired and prayed for him and the entire Kennedy clan. It is accurate to say that there has never been a Kennedy that I didn’t like. Senator Kennedy has long been a champion for education,health care reform and civil rights. I deeply admire and respect his work and I will miss him for a very long time. May his good legacy live on. Take your rest, dear Senator. Thank you so much!
Esther Manogin
Boone, North Carolina
August 26th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
With the passing of Senator Kennedy we have all lost a real advocate for higher education. I had the pleasure of meeting with the Senator as a student in the late 1970’s I was there as a college student to ask for his support for financial aid. He assured me then that we could always count on his support. Over the last thirty years as an aid administrator I returned many times to ask the Senator for his continued support for our students. He never failed us. He will be greatly missed!
August 26th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
To a wonderful man and an even greater American. Your days were cut short here as we see it, but the ones you lived were long and tireless in the fight for equality for all. I am saddened at the loss of you physically but I know that there is certainly rest and peace where you are now. To your family, I pray that you all are comforted in knowing who your father, son, husband, uncle and friend was to you and us all. May God bless you and you are all in my prayers.
August 26th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Thank you Senator Ted Kennedy for your work that changed so many lives for the better.
May you rest in peace and may God grant your entire family his peace during this time.
August 26th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Current and future college students will benefit from Ted Kennedy’s efforts to make college affordable for all. We will miss him.
August 26th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
As a member of the staff of a Financial Aid department at a community college, I share the great sense of loss we have sustained due to the passing of Senator Kennedy. His humanity impacted citizens all over the world. His determination to overcome the trials and obstacles of his own life, and to work even harder for the benefit of mankind, has put him into a very special category. My hope is that all of us, in sharing this loss, can make a real contribution to the world he has left behind, taking up the banner of compassion and sympathy for others just as he did. May God now grant him peace and his great reward.
August 26th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
I send my heartfelt condolences to the entire Kennedy family for the loss of this great man who fought long and hard to get laws passed for the underpriviledge people of all Americans especially minorities. He fought earnestly for equal rights for all people. I have truly benefited during my era of life from his continued fight for equal rights. I work in higher education and appreciate his efforts every day. We will truly miss this great senator. His works will never go unnoticed and forgotten.
August 26th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
While we all know he was a great swimmer, he did do some nice things for the country. He also did a lot of bad things also. His family does have my prayers and best wishes.
August 26th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Senator Kennedy was the voice for the voiceless in America. He stood up for what was right and descent. I admired his courage and love for his country. Rest in Peace….
August 26th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
I was honored to meet Senator Kennedy at a NASFAA convention in Boston. I also worked with members of his staff during reauthorization meetings. In my 43 years in higher education and financial aid, I never met a congressional leader who consistantly did more for students and education. I pray for him and his family. I sincerely hope that if any of you out there are as rude and uncaring as Rick, please keep those irreverant quips to yourself.
August 26th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
If it weren’t for the goodness of public servants like Senator Edward Kennedy, going to college would have only been a dream. Thankfully, his tireless advocacy and support made college a reality for me and many others like me. I always admired the Kennedy family because they were large like mine, loved their country, and challenged us all to make a positive difference in our community. All my deepest sympathies and prayers go out to Senator Kennedy’s family. I will always keep his ideals in my heart and try to emulate his courage and compassion for others in my work.
August 27th, 2009 at 7:50 am
When we learned that Senator Kennedy had brain cancer, we all knew that this terrible day was coming. For me, it was still a shock and I am deeply saddened. He was a tremendous public servant, especially to those who had no voice. As his brothers John and Robert before him, he championed fairness and justice. His fingerprints are on so many legislative bills that I champion. I feel blessed to have lived in the same era with him. My prayers will be with his family for a long time. Senator, may you enjoy your eternal rest!
August 27th, 2009 at 8:59 am
Senator Kennedy, may you rest in peace!
August 27th, 2009 at 9:59 am
My heartfelt condolences to Senator Kennedy’s family. He was a strong force in the education and financial aid community. I most certainly remember the hard fought battles for us in the 1980s - he truly made a difference. My prayers for his family and friends…