Penn State officials are recommending that lawmakers increase student aid programs to make college more affordable instead of using price controls.

The Higher Education Act must be reauthorized by Congress every five to six years.

Congress is focusing on access, accountability and affordability when determining how the act can be improved, said Susan Grimm, director of federal relations in the Office of Governmental Affairs. Grimm said the federal government should increase student loan limits because costs for higher education are increasing.

It is imperative to Penn State and other universities across the country that student aid limits be increased. Congress hasn't increased the student loan limits since 1992.

More than 10 years later and no increase on loan limits? Obviously, Penn State tuition is much higher than it was in 1992, so obviously it is time to increase student loan limits.

The concern is that Congress will issue price controls, a concept in a bill that if enacted would withhold federal funding from colleges and universities that raise tuition faster than twice the rate of inflation for three consecutive years.

The problem with this idea is that as state funding continues to dwindle, universities such as Penn State are left with little choice but to raise tuition.

Grimm said she believes the bill could force institutions like Penn State to sacrifice quality.

Denying universities federal funding is not going to solve the problems of high tuition -- it can only severely damage it.

Penn State raises its tuition on a yearly basis, as state funding has been continually cut. And, most institutions of higher education have been hit with similar problems. If colleges and universities lose more funding it will be detrimental to college education.

Rodney Erickson, Penn State executive vice president and provost, said although the level of grant support for college students has been increasing in recent years, the amount of that money has not increased enough to keep up with the rate of inflation.

He said Congress should ensure that financial aid goes to the most needy students and not to high-income families.

In the end, placing price controls on universities could make it harder for students to even go to college. And that is the exact opposite of what this country needs.