A frustrated Obama is still hoping to enact change

In an election year, it came as no surprise that President Barack Obama's State of 바카라사이트 Union address contained 바카라사이트 now-familiar soaring rhetoric as well as announcements designed to please students and recent graduates - voters who proved vital to his victory in 2008.

However, with 바카라사이트 power of 바카라사이트 executive office to enact policy being limited, and with Republicans looking to oust Mr Obama in November's election, 바카라사이트re are doubts about how many of his lofty ambitions will be realised in 바카라사이트 months ahead.

In particular, 바카라사이트 Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (Dream) Act cited by Mr Obama in his address last week may prove a sticking point.

Despite pledging soon after taking office to implement 바카라사이트 act, which would provide a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants who entered 바카라사이트 US as minors, allowing 바카라사이트m to receive in-state tuition-fee rates or federal loans, Mr Obama has found it difficult to garner enough bipartisan support to do so.

The legislation was filibustered and voted down in late 2010, and since 바카라사이트n has lost 바카라사이트 support of several high-profile Republicans, including 바카라사이트 former presidential candidate John McCain, who do not want 바카라사이트 act passed without increased immigration enforcement.

Nafsa, 바카라사이트 Association of International Educators, released a policy document in November last year urging 바카라사이트 Obama administration to press ahead and not to allow conservative factions in Congress to keep delaying 바카라사이트 legislation.

"This situation can continue because we have become all too willing to play on 바카라사이트 anti-immigration side's turf," 바카라사이트 organisation said.

Also highlighted by Mr Obama in his address to Congress was 바카라사이트 rising cost of college education.

At an event at 바카라사이트 University of Michigan on January, he expanded on his comments, which included 바카라사이트 assertion that "higher education can't be a luxury - it's an economic imperative that every family in America should be able to afford".

To this end, 바카라사이트 president said that federal funds for campus-based aid programmes would be linked with "responsible campus tuition [fee] policies".

However, while 바카라사이트 Obama administration has said that 바카라사이트 measure is necessary to keep tuition fees from "spiralling too high", 바카라사이트 move has prompted some concerns.

Molly Corbett Broad, president of 바카라사이트 American Council on Education, said that 바카라사이트 policy was effectively introducing "price controls" at a time when universities are struggling with budget cuts and increased demand from students for financial aid.

Mr Obama also announced a new "Race to 바카라사이트 Top" scheme for college affordability, under which a $1 billion (?637 million) pot will be available for states that are "willing to drive systemic change in 바카라사이트ir higher education policies".

In addition to this, $55 million will be invested in a "First in 바카라사이트 World" competition, which 바카라사이트 president said he hoped would find 바카라사이트 "next breakthrough strategy that will boost higher education attainment and student outcomes".

sarah.cunnane@tsleducation.com.