House Approves Higher Education Relief for Students Impacted by Hurricane Katrina

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives today approved legislation to ease financial burdens for students forced to withdraw from higher education due to a natural disaster such as Hurricane Katrina, which has devastated the Gulf Coast region and impacted dozens of colleges and universities and tens of thousands of students.  The House unanimously passed a bill, by a vote of 412-0, authored by Rep. Ric Keller (R-FL) to allow the Secretary of Education to waive Pell Grant repayment requirements for students impacted by natural disasters.

“Earlier this week, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast .  Last year, four hurricanes ravaged Florida over a 40-day period.  Many students in Florida lost their homes, their jobs, and were forced to withdraw from school,” said Keller.  “Pell Grant recipients who withdrew from classes were forced to repay any funds they used to pay for school expenses beyond fees and tuition, or else be barred from enrolling in the future.  I believe our neediest students shouldn’t be punished after enduring a natural disaster.”

The Pell Grant Hurricane and Disaster Relief Act (H.R. 3169) gives the Secretary of Education new flexibility to waive burdensome requirements on students who may be forced to withdraw from higher education due to a natural disaster declared by the President.  Under the bill, such students would not be forced to repay Pell Grant aid, a requirement that could place undue burden on students already forced to contend with significant hardships due to natural disasters.  Similar relief efforts were included in comprehensive higher education reform legislation approved by the committee in July.

“While there is much work to be done, this bill responds to one very important need faced by students in my district whose dreams of a college education have been put on hold.  It represents a first, small step in our efforts in the weeks and months to come that we hope will make a critical difference for students and families as we work together to rebuild our communities,” said Rep. Bobby Jindal (R-LA).

“Students impacted by Hurricane Katrina are already facing unimaginable challenges as they work to rebuild their homes, their communities, and their lives.  They should not have to contend with the additional burden of repaying Pell Grant aid simply because they have been forced to withdraw from college as a result of this disaster,” said Rep. Charles Boustany (R-LA).  “This bill is an important first step to provide relief to students whose higher education aspirations have been interrupted by the devastation wrought by this tragedy.”

“The level of devastation and its impact on American families over the last week has been truly staggering.   Two of the most heavily-impacted congressional districts are those represented by Education & the Workforce Committee members Reps. Jindal and Boustany, and we will do everything we can to support them, their constituents, and all those impacted in this time of need.  Today’s House action was one small step in the larger effort that we’ll move forward with in the coming weeks to address this tragedy,” said Education & the Workforce Committee Chairman John Boehner (R-OH).

“I applaud Congressman Keller for his ongoing efforts to come to the aid of students and families impacted by natural disasters,” said Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA), chairman of the 21st Century Competitiveness Subcommittee.  “The Pell Grant Hurricane and Disaster Relief Act will ensure that Hurricane Katrina does not derail the educational dreams of our neediest students.   I am pleased to co-sponsor this bill and appreciate its speedy consideration by our leadership.”

Complementary legislation to provide flexibility for students receiving other types of federal grant and scholarship student aid, the Student Grant Hurricane and Disaster Relief Act (H.R. 3668), was also introduced today by Rep. Jindal.  That measure, which would ensure similar flexibility and protections for students receiving other grant aid under Title IV of the Higher Education Act, may be considered by the U.S. House of Representatives as early as tomorrow, providing further assistance to the students and families impacted by Hurricane Katrina.

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