During a conference call with more than 100 college and university journalists Monday morning, President Barack Obama discussed financial aid, the economy and midterm elections.

Financial aid and the rising cost of education

The administration will increase college tax credits for middle-class families and the number of Federal Pell Grants for low-income students.

The administration also plans to simplify financial aid forms.

He added that parents and students should know how their tuition dollars are spent. “There should be a pie chart at every university that says, out of every dollar you spend in tuition, here’s where your money is going,” he said.

Economy

Obama called the economy his “number one priority.”

“If the economy is growing … All those things are going to open up new opportunities for young people with skills and talent for the future,” he said. “Don’t let anybody tell you that somehow your dreams are going to be constrained going forward.”

Midterm elections

Obama admitted that “some of the excitement and enthusiasm” which characterized the youth involvement in his campaign has “started to drain away.” He challenged students to show up at the polls for the midterm elections.

“Democracy is never a one-and-done proposition. It’s something that requires sustained engagement and sustained involvement,” he said.