Congress, Bush Finally Agree on 2003 Budget
Minority-serving institutions, TRIO, GEAR UP receive slight increases
By Charles Dervarics
After months of negotiations, the U.S. Congress and the White House finished work on a 2003 budget bill with a 5 percent increase for Black colleges and slightly higher Pell grants for needy students.
Approval of the package ends months of posturing and negotiations for the federal fiscal year that began in October. Federal programs had operated with just temporary funds since that time. Adding to the confusion, President Bush in February had to present his 2004 budget plan with the current year’s budget still unresolved.
