Congressman Henry Cuellar Passes Two Amendments in Support of Higher Education
CONGRESSMAN HENRY CUELLAR PASSES TWO AMENDMENTS in SUPPORT of HIGHER EDUCATION
Washington, DC- Congressman Henry Cuellar announced today that he successfully passed his eighth and ninth amendments in the 109th Congress in support of higher education.
The amendments are focused on improving higher education, especially regarding student financial aid. The first Cuellar amendment to H.R. 609, the College Access and Opportunity Act of 2005, would allow students enrolled in certificate programs at colleges or universities to be eligible to receive federal Pell Grant Plus financial aid. Students enrolled in degree-seeking programs are already eligible for Pell grant and this amendment expands the program to include students in certification programs.
The inclusion of certificate programs in our federal student aid programs is an important step in expanding the access that students have to a broader array of educational opportunities. "My amendment expands opportunity for more students by including those seeking certificates as well as degree programs" Congressman Cuellar said.
Congressman Henry Cuellar's second amendment to H.R. 609 requires the Department of Education to ensure that students have access to a simplified federal student aid application that is straightforward and takes full advantage of current technological methods of applying and accessing information via the internet. This amendment would require the Secretary of Education to conduct a study to determine whether the FAFSA student aid application system is simple, requires only a minimal amount of paperwork, and functions as a one-stop shop for federal student aid. Congressman Cuellar noted, "Financial Aid is meant to be helpful, not stressful. This amendment aims to make the federal student aid application process less complicated in order for more students to feel encouraged to utilize it."
Congressman Cuellar added, "It continues to be my goal to work to make education accessible to everyone who wishes to pursue it."
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/tx28_cuellar/060331.html