From: Kugee
Date: 02 Sep 2009
Time: 01:58:15 -0400
Remote Name: 70.142.50.170
Like you,Yonka Pin, we in Congress have been getting conflicting stories about the scholarships. Yesterday Doug Revard was told that there was no need to worry, the amounts promised would be delivered. Today some students were told by the education department they were being cut back and they would receive only tuition, books and fees; nothing would be given for room and board. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Here’s some of what they are using to justify the cuts: room and board , travel, etc. would be subject to income tax and the Executive Branch is afraid that those payments would be considered a “ per cap payment.” >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Here’s what you need to know about their arguments: The tax laws have not changed. You have to look at the details, but generally, scholarships are treated as tax-free amounts if all the following conditions are met: 1. You are a candidate for a degree at an educational institution. 2. Amounts you receive as a scholarship are used for tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance at the educational institution, or for books, supplies, and equipment required for courses of instruction. 3. The amounts received are not a payment for your services unless required by the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program or the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship and Financial Assistance Program.; Assistance that is taxable is room and board, travel, research, clerical help or equipment and other expenses that are not required for enrollment in or attendance at an eligible educational institution. ; That’s always been taxable and that is not new. You have to consider that many students don’t have enough income to actually owe any tax and even if some do, the tax rate is only a percentage—anyway, we can’t do anything about the federal tax laws, but to withhold assistance by using that excuse is just silly. The “per cap” excuse is even worse; an approved tribal use of gaming proceeds is to fund tribal programs and educational scholarships and assistance is one of the best tribal programs we have. It is no more a “per cap” than health benefits, meals for the elderly or the language program.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>A meeting of the Educational Committee is scheduled for Sept. 8, but we need to get this settled before then. I have emailed and left phone messages for Doug Revard requesting an emergency meeting tomorrow (today now) Sept. 2. I think Doug is out of town, but he will return tomorrow. The Speaker has already approved the meeting. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>There was a bill sponsored by a Congresswoman that would have eliminated the grade incentive award, but that was soundly defeated in Congress. At this time, I don’t believe any member would hesitate to do all they can to see that we meet our commitments to our Osage students. There’s something damn cockeyed about an administration that can fund trips to inaugurals, Hawaii, France, Alaska and buy Sugarloaf Mounds and then cut educational assistance. There is no shortage of money, if the administration is short of anything, it’s just good judgment.