After making education funding a major part of his winning platform in November, President Clinton hopes to enact two major college aid proposals during the first session of the 105th Congress.

Despite the fervor to cut funding for higher education displayed by the 104th Congress, Democrats say the results of the 1996 elections signal a shift in attitudes toward education programs.

Mike Cohen, special assistant to the President for education, says that to a large extent, last November's election was about education.

"The President's educational initiatives are a top priority; we're going to work hard to get them passed," he says.

With almost half its undergraduate students receiving some form of federal financial assistance, the University has a large stake in what happens on Capitol Hill in the coming months, according to David P. Illingworth '71, associate director for financial aid.

"The current proposals would help lots and lots of our families...including those who are not currently receiving aid," Illingworth says.

First, however, the President must bargain with the Republicans who retained control of Congress in last year's election.

The Congress convened last week and expectations are high that progress can be made to make college more affordable for middle class families.

"The climate is completely different than in the 104th Congress.... It's a better working environment," says Colleen O. McGinnis, a legislative assistant in the Student Financial Aid Office of the Department of Education.

The White House wants to continue in the spirit of cooperation with the Republican Congress which brought about welfare and health insurance reform last summer.

"We certainly hope to be able to work with the Republicans on this," Cohen says.

Some Republicans share that sentiment.

"While we plan to closely examine the president's proposals, we're willing to work with him to find common ground," says Ari Fleischer, press secretary for the GOP-controlled House Ways and Means Committee.

Comments from other Republicans on the Hill, though, indicate the President may face an uphill battle.

"Our first order of business, before we consider any new programs, is to see that current funds are being spent appropriately and effectively," says Jon Brandt, press secretary to Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-Mich.), a member of the House Economic and Educational Opportunities Committee.

In response to Republican calls as recently as last fall to completely overhaul the federal financial aid system, Harvard officials say the University plans to continue to work with other schools to ensure that student funding is maintained.