Representative John A. Boehner (ROH), Chairman of the House Committee on Higher Education, supports President Bush's proposal to increase the maximum Pell Grant by $500 over the next five years as well as raise the amount students can borrow from federal student loan programs. While college lobbyists and policy makers are pleased to applaud the president's proposed improvements, they are disturbed at how the proposals will be paid for. In part, these changes will be paid for by canceling the Perkins Loan Program, a popular program among low and middle class families. Colleges would also be expected to return the federal share of the money used to fund Perkins Loans. The president's proposed budget will also end several popular programs that help motivate and prepare low income students for college.

With its mission broadening and budgets tightening, APSA has continued to operate efficiently and responsibly, and fiscal year 2004 ended within budget and with a growth in net value. In the fall of 2003, the Council made the decision to approve a deficit budget of $43,000. This planned deficit allowed the Association to tap into its reserves to implement an extensive technology plan that included transforming the APSA web site and upgrading the headquarters' aging cabling and network infrastructure. APSA accomplished these projects—and a number of others—and managed to finish the year ahead of budgeted costs, with a deficit of less than $2,000 from programmatic and general operating activities. APSA also ended the year with a significant increase in its net assets.

It has always been my dream to become a politician. After finishing school I looked for a place where I could get an education in such matters. At this time, my country was still a part of the Soviet Union. During my research I discovered that there was a Department of the History of the Communist Party at Tashkent State University, the aim of which aim was to prepare future politicians. One of the requirements for admittance was a letter of reference from the Komsomol (the young communists) Committee in Tashkent. I tried to do my best for the Komsomol—I was very active, participating in several different Olympiads and winning three of them—and finally I got what I wanted. I passed all my exams, presented the letter of recommendation, entered University, and started to study all aspects of the History of the Communist Party.

The Administrative Committee consists of the president, president-elect, treasurer, and four other Council members whose main duties include preparing agendas for Council meetings and annual business meetings and acting on behalf of the Council to dispose of policy issues deemed of insufficient weight to require decisions by the Council.