Committee Expresses Concern About Continuing Rise in
the Cost of a Quality College Education
WASHINGTON - The House Committee on Education and the
Workforce, chaired by Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) held a hearing today on
“The Rising Price of a Quality Postsecondary Education: Fact or
Fiction?” In the wake of continuing increases in the cost of a
college education, and concerned about the effect affordability has on
access, the committee heard testimony from an economist and presidents
of both public and private institutions to learn about the factors
that are driving tuition increases.
“Next year, we will reauthorize the Higher Education Act,” said
Chairman John Boehner. “As part of that process, we are conducting a
comprehensive review of our student financial assistance programs to
determine what is working and what needs to be fixed. Our goal is to
determine how we can best ensure that every American has access to a
quality postsecondary education. This hearing has provided the
committee with important insights on one of the biggest hurdles to
access - the increasing cost of higher education.”
According to the College Board, during the ten-year period ending
in 2000-2001, average public four-year tuition and fees increased 40
percent and private four-year college tuition increased 33 percent
after adjusting for inflation. In response, Congress has significantly
increased its aid for postsecondary education and more students are
receiving federal support than ever before. The maximum Pell Grant is
at an historic high, having increased 33 percent since 1998. The SEOG
program, which provides supplemental grant aid, is also at an all time
high of $918 million. And the College Work Study program, which helps
needy students earn while they learn, has been increased to $1.2
billion per year.
While highlighting for the committee the various factors that drive
the cost of tuition - amount of state appropriations for public
schools, salaries, technology investments, etc. -- each of the
witnesses expressed a commitment to working to keep college accessible
and affordable to every American. As Dr. Richard M. Freeland, the
President of Northeastern University in Boston, stated: “I regard
access to quality higher education for young people from all walks of
life as a central value of American democracy.”
Dr. C.D. Mote, Jr., the President of the University of Maryland,
added, “Education leaders and policy-makers at the state and federal
levels must do everything in their power to ensure that higher
education, and the opportunity for a better life, is financially
accessible to all potential students.”
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