DeLauro Applauds Passage Of The Higher Education Act

Press Release

DeLauro Applauds Passage Of The Higher Education Act

Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3) joined with her colleagues to pass on a bipartisan basis legislation that would address the soaring price of college tuition and remove other obstacles that make it harder for qualified students to go to college. The Higher Education Opportunity Act (H.R. 4137) would reform and strengthen the nation's higher education programs to ensure that they operate in the best interests of students and families. The legislation builds on the Democratic Congress efforts to make college more affordable and accessible for all qualified students. Last year, Congress enacted into law a $20 billion increase in college financial aid over the next five years, the largest increase in student aid since the G.I. Bill of 1944.

The Senate is also expected to take a final vote on the legislation this week; if passed the bill would then be sent to the President's desk for his signature.

"Education is the doorway to opportunity in this country and we must ensure that the door is not closed to some because of cost," said DeLauro. "The Higher Education Opportunity Act takes critical steps to ensure that a college education is affordable and accessible and that the door is not shut for some students - building on work this Congress has already done to increase Pell Grants and reduce the interest rates on student loans. I would also like to commend my dear friend, Senator Ted Kennedy - this legislation is further evidence of his commitment to the future of our nation's young people and it is because of his dedication and leadership that we will send this bill to the President for his signature."

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 tuition grew by 6 percent between 2006-07 and 2007-8. The bill would address these rising prices by encouraging colleges to rein in price increases, ensuring that states maintain their commitments to higher education funding, providing students and families with consumer friendly information on college pricing and the factors driving tuition increases, and streamlining the federal student financial aid application process.

Source