House Backs Bill to Expand College Access, Enhance American Competitiveness

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives today approved the College Access & Opportunity Act (H.R. 609), legislation to expand college access by strengthening the Pell Grant program, providing parents and students with more information about spikes in college costs, and bolstering math and science education to enhance American competitiveness.  The legislation – which would complete reauthorization of the Higher Education Act – was authored by Education & the Workforce Committee Chairman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA), along with former committee chair and current House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-OH).

“The new realities of an increasingly competitive global economy have made a college education more necessary than ever before,” said McKeon (R-CA).  “Unfortunately, even with historic levels of federal funding for higher education, the dream of getting a college education continues to elude many low- and middle-income Americans.  This bill takes a huge step toward making that dream a reality.”

The College Access & Opportunity Act improves the Pell Grant program – funded at an all-time high, with a 101% increase in funding since Republicans gained the majority in Congress in 1994 – by allowing students to receive Pell aid year-round and repealing the federal rule that needlessly limits the amount of Pell Grant aid a student attending a very low-cost school may receive.

“This legislation strengthens the Pell Grant program and increases access to college for millions of worthy young students,” said Rep. Ric Keller (R-FL), chairman of the 21st Century Competitiveness Subcommittee and chairman of the Congressional Pell Grant Caucus.  “On the heels of record funding for Pell Grants, the improvements we’re making to the program will make a difference for even more students seeking to attend college.”

The legislation also takes steps to improve math, science, and critical foreign language education, including an amendment – offered by Education & the Workforce Committee member Rep. Cathy McMorris (R-WA) – to incorporate components of the President’s American Competitiveness Initiative into the framework of current law.

“Congress recognizes the need to enhance American competitiveness, and that effort must start within our education system,” said McMorris.  “This bill follows up on the President’s State of the Union proposal to enhance America’s leadership in science and technology.  By placing well-qualified teachers in the classroom and creating incentives for pursuing degrees in math, science, and foreign languages, we will create a 21st Century workforce that is prepared to be competitive in the global marketplace.”

Also included in the College Access & Opportunity Act are innovative measures to increase transparency in higher education programs and provide parents and students with more information about college costs and colleges themselves.  For example, the bill creates a College Affordability Index would take existing information and present it to students and families in a new format that can be useful as they make decisions about attending college.  This index provides an “apples to apples” comparison of tuition growth – similar to the Consumer Price Index.

”Expanding college access remains a fundamental goal for this nation and this Congress,” concluded McKeon.  “Part of this effort is adding more sunlight into the discussion about higher education – and the rising costs of a college education in particular.  This bill adds that necessary sunlight, and it will make a difference for countless students.”

For more information on efforts to expand college access for low- and middle-income students, visit the Education & the Workforce Committee website at http://edworkforce.house.gov/issues/109th/education/hea/hea.htm.

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