Rep. Courtney, House Vote to Modernize Higher Education Act to Improve Workforce Competitiveness, Lower Costs

Press Release

Rep. Courtney, House Vote to Modernize Higher Education Act to Improve Workforce Competitiveness, Lower Costs

Congressman Joe Courtney today voted in favor of, H.R. 4137, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act (Higher Education Act Reauthorization), which expands access to college and strengthens our workforce for the future.

"I am pleased by the bipartisan work this Congress has done to put students' needs first and to begin building a more modern and competitive workforce for the future," stated Rep. Courtney. "As a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, I want to make sure we rein in the soaring costs of a college education."

An October 2007 report from the College Board showed that, over the previous five years, tuition and fees had increased across the board, at public and private colleges and at two-year and four-year colleges. In Connecticut, tuition and fees at public two and four year institutions, as well as private institutions, grew by 6 percent between 2006-07 and 2007-8.

The bill would address theserising prices by encouraging colleges to rein in price increases, ensuring that states maintain their commitments to higher education funding, and providing students and families with consumer friendly information on college pricing and the factors driving tuition increases.

In addition, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act would:

-Streamline the federal student financial aid application process;

-Make textbook costs more manageable for students by, among other things, helping them plan for textbook expenses in advance of each semester;

-Allow students to receive year-round Pell Grant scholarships;

-Strengthen college readiness and support programs for minority and low-income students;

-Increase college aid and support programs for veterans and military families;

-Improve safety on college campuses and help schools recover and rebuild after a disaster;

-Ensure equal college opportunities and fair learning environments for students with disabilities; and

-Strengthen our nation's workforce and economic competitiveness by boosting science, technology, and foreign language educational opportunities.

H.R. 4137 is a comprehensive reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, the primary federal law aimed at expanding college access for low- and middle-income students. The bill is supported by a broad coalition of students, colleges and universities, consumer rights advocacy groups, minority organizations, and more. To see a full list of supporters, click here.

In March 2007, Dr. Maria Martinez, the Director of TRIO programs at the University of Connecticut, testified before the House Education and Labor Committee about specific improvements needed to help students in Connecticut and throughout the nation.

Congressman Courtney also led the effort to include the Access Act into the final version of H.R. 4137.

Representative Joe Courtney is the first Member of Congress from the Second Congressional District to serve on the House Education and Labor Committee since the World War II era.

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