On September 8, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee approved, 20-0, a bill (S. 1614) reauthorizing the Higher Education Act (PL 105-244) for five years. The House Education and the Workforce Committee approved a similar measure (H.R. 609) on July 22 (see The Source, 7/22/05). Established in 1965 and last reauthorized in 1998 (P.L. 105-244), the Higher Education Act provides federal aid for postsecondary schools and low-income postsecondary students.
Sponsored by Chair Mike Enzi (R-WY), S. 1614 would increase the maximum annual Pell grant award to $5,100 in FY2006. That amount would be increased to $6,300 over the next five years. The measure also would allow Pell grants to be awarded for year-round study, rather than the current limit of two semesters or the equivalent.
The legislation would create the Pasty T. Mink Graduate Fellowship Program. Named for the late Rep. Patsy Mink (D-HI), the program is designed to increase the number of women and minorities on college faculties by providing federal funding for women and minority doctoral students who agree to teach at the collegiate level after their studies are completed. The program would also apply to women and minority students pursuing a terminal master’s degree, the highest degree in that field of study.
Under the bill, the Federal Perkins Loan Program would be expanded to include loan forgiveness for pre-kindergarten teachers or child care providers working in a program licensed or regulated by the state. Currently, only Head Start teachers are provided with loan forgiveness.
In a press statement, Sen. Enzi stated that “higher education in America is now in the middle of a revolution and the need for employees with a postsecondary education is growing at a faster rate than ever.” He asserted that the bill will “help retain America’s competitive edge in the global economy by ensuring that higher education prepares today’s students for the demands of tomorrow’s workplace.”
Describing the bill as “an enormously important piece of legislation,” Ranking Member Edward Kennedy (D-MA) highlighted four achievements: new financial incentives for math and science students, expanded year-round student aid programs, the Patsy Mink Fellowship, and improved student loan programs.
