In recognition of the role of education in modern society and its influence upon whether or not a citizen will beneficially contribute to his state and community by his talents and developed abilities, and in recognition that educational opportunity should not be limited by the financial means of the student, and in further recognition of the public purposes designated by the United States through the Higher Education Act of 1965, P.L. 89-329, as amended, and the National Vocational Student Loan Insurance Act of 1965, P.L. 89-287, the general assembly of the state of Missouri declares that state assistance to postsecondary students will benefit the state economically and culturally and is a public purpose of great importance.