House Backs Bill to Expand College Access, Enhance American Competitiveness
The Committee on Education and the Workforce, U.S. House of Representatives, 109th Congress wrote the following:
The U.S. House of Representatives today approved the College Access & Opportunity Act (H.R. 609), legislation to expand college access by strengthening the Pell Grant program, providing parents and students with more information about spikes in college costs, and bolstering math and science education to enhance American competitiveness. The legislation – which would complete reauthorization of the Higher Education Act – was authored by Education & the Workforce Committee Chairman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA), along with former committee chair and current House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-OH).
“The new realities of an increasingly competitive global economy have made a college education more necessary than ever before,” said McKeon (R-CA). “Unfortunately, even with historic levels of federal funding for higher education, the dream of getting a college education continues to elude many low- and middle-income Americans. This bill takes a huge step toward making that dream a reality.”
The College Access & Opportunity Act improves the Pell Grant program – funded at an all-time high, with a 101% increase in funding since Republicans gained the majority in Congress in 1994 – by allowing students to receive Pell aid year-round and repealing the federal rule that needlessly limits the amount of Pell Grant aid a student attending a very low-cost school may receive.
“This legislation strengthens the Pell Grant program and increases access to college for millions of worthy young students,” said Rep. Ric Keller (R-FL), chairman of the 21st Century Competitiveness Subcommittee and chairman of the Congressional Pell Grant Caucus. “On the heels of record funding for Pell Grants, the improvements we’re making to the program will make a difference for even more students seeking to attend college.”
In other financial aid news, Congressman Miller of California has introduced the Reverse the Raid on Student Aid Act of 2006 (H. R. 5150) which would cut interest rates in half on subsidized loans (6.8% to 3.4% as well as parents loans (8.5% to 4.25%).
With 5 co-sponsors and a Republican Congress, I think there is little hope of this getting through by July 1, when the new higher rates take effect. But, kudos to Congressman Miller for trying.
Technorati Tags: Financial AidPaying for CollegePell GrantsCollege LoansStudent LoansDirect Loans
The Committee on Education and the Workforce, U.S. House of Representatives, 109th Congress wrote the following:
The U.S. House of Representatives today approved the College Access & Opportunity Act (H.R. 609), legislation to expand college access by strengthening the Pell Grant program, providing parents and students with more information about spikes in college costs, and bolstering math and science education to enhance American competitiveness. The legislation – which would complete reauthorization of the Higher Education Act – was authored by Education & the Workforce Committee Chairman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA), along with former committee chair and current House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-OH).
“The new realities of an increasingly competitive global economy have made a college education more necessary than ever before,” said McKeon (R-CA). “Unfortunately, even with historic levels of federal funding for higher education, the dream of getting a college education continues to elude many low- and middle-income Americans. This bill takes a huge step toward making that dream a reality.”
The College Access & Opportunity Act improves the Pell Grant program – funded at an all-time high, with a 101% increase in funding since Republicans gained the majority in Congress in 1994 – by allowing students to receive Pell aid year-round and repealing the federal rule that needlessly limits the amount of Pell Grant aid a student attending a very low-cost school may receive.
“This legislation strengthens the Pell Grant program and increases access to college for millions of worthy young students,” said Rep. Ric Keller (R-FL), chairman of the 21st Century Competitiveness Subcommittee and chairman of the Congressional Pell Grant Caucus. “On the heels of record funding for Pell Grants, the improvements we’re making to the program will make a difference for even more students seeking to attend college.”
In other financial aid news, Congressman Miller of California has introduced the Reverse the Raid on Student Aid Act of 2006 (H. R. 5150) which would cut interest rates in half on subsidized loans (6.8% to 3.4% as well as parents loans (8.5% to 4.25%).
With 5 co-sponsors and a Republican Congress, I think there is little hope of this getting through by July 1, when the new higher rates take effect. But, kudos to Congressman Miller for trying.
Technorati Tags: Financial AidPaying for CollegePell GrantsCollege LoansStudent LoansDirect Loans
posted by Ken MacKenzie at
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