Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

"For too many Vermonters, the tools to succeed in today's economy are simply out of reach. In order to expand the opportunity created by a college education, Congress must continue to increase financial aid to students. At the same time, institutions of higher learning must do their part to bring costs under control and ensure that ever-increasing college costs are not outpacing the ability of middle class families to afford them. Only through the combination of controlling college costs and increasing aid will we succeed in making higher education more affordable to Vermonters."

Congressman Welch:

*Supported the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (H.R. 4872), which invests $44.3 million in Vermont to increase the size of Pell Grants and make college more affordable. The legislation supports the largest-ever increase in funding for college financial aid in the nation's history.Worked with Senators Leahy and Sanders to support the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) by ensuring that non-profit lenders can provide valuable services to students, like college counseling and financial aid assistance.

*Secured federal funding for Vermont's colleges to become more energy efficient, cutting costs at these institutions by reducing energy use. Welch successfully obtained $1.5 million for the Vermont Independent Colleges and $450,000 for the Vermont State Colleges. He also secured a $150,000 grant for the Community Colleges of Vermont to develop a Career Readiness Certificate program.

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