In light of the findings described in § 49-7-902, the general assembly declares the purposes of this part to be to:
(1) Encourage education and the means of education;
(2) Encourage attendance at institutions of higher education;
(3) Provide students and their parents financing assistance for postsecondary education;
(4) Help provide the benefits of higher education to the people of this state; and
(5) Encourage elementary and secondary students in this state to achieve high standards of performance.