On May 12, the House Education and the Workforce Committee heard testimony on a bill (H.R. 4283) to reauthorize the Higher Education Act. Chair John Boehner (R-OH) sponsored the measure.
In his opening statement, Rep. Boehner said that the College Access and Opportunity Act would expand access to higher education for millions of low- and middle-income students “by strengthening Pell Grants, student aid, student access programs, and minority students and graduates.” He also noted that the bill “will reduce loan costs, fees, and red tape for students and graduates. It will remove barriers for non-traditional students, including the so-called ‘90-10’ rule that is hurting minority and low-income students. It will empower parents and students through ‘sunshine’ and transparency for consumers in college financing and accreditation.”
Contending that the reauthorization bill “does not even come close to living up to its name,” Ranking Member George Miller (D-CA) stated, “Just when millions of low- and middle-income students and their families are struggling to cover college costs, this bill actually forces students to pay thousands of dollars for their college loans, caps the maximum Pell Grant, and fails to provide meaningful relief from rising tuition prices.”
Dr. Charles Reed, chancellor of the California State University (CSU) System, praised a provision in the bill that would allow students to receive a second Pell Grant for summer study: “Year-round study enables students to complete their academic degree in less time than might otherwise be required. This reduces the amount of time that a student spends in school, saves the student money (and reduces borrowing), and permits more efficient use of campus facilities and resources at a time when those resources are being stretched due to increasing enrollments and tight state budgets.” Dr. Reed expressed concern that the provision would require those institutions participating in the year-round Pell Grant program to have a four-year graduation rate of at least 30 percent, noting that many CSU students work full-time or have children and do not graduate in four years. “This will not work for institutions that serve large populations of non-traditional students, yet these are the students who would benefit most from the flexibility provided by a year-round program,” he stated.
Dr. Reed encouraged the committee to consider his proposed modifications to the TRIO and GEAR UP programs. They include expanding the TRIO program to include community-based organizations with experience in serving disadvantaged youth; including incentives in both programs to encourage high schools to partner with colleges in developing college preparatory programs for disadvantaged students; and including incentives that would encourage underrepresented students to pursue coursework in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Dr. Reed also suggested that the loan forgiveness for teachers provision in the 1998 reauthorization be expanded to address the nursing shortage in the United States.
Testifying on behalf of the United States Student Association, Rebecca Wasserman said that the reauthorization bill “represents a missed opportunity for this Congress to prioritize higher education and address the growing crisis as colleges and universities become less and less affordable.” She expressed her disappointment that the bill does not raise the maximum Pell Grant award, explaining, “Last year’s maximum Pell grant was $500 less, in real terms, than the maximum award nearly 30 years ago.” Ms. Wasserman also noted that the bill would eliminate the current fixed rate consolidation benefit for student borrowers. She cited a Congressional Research Service report that found “eliminating this benefit will force the typical student to pay nearly $5,500 more for college loans,” adding, “Consolidation is an important tool that helps low and middle-income students manage their debt and makes college affordable. Congress should not deny student borrowers this benefit now when they need the help the most.”
