"I am pleased the Senate has voted to increase funding for federal student aid while expanding it to more students in need. My provision to create a scholarship for family members of veterans and members of the military will be an excellent tribute to the sacrifices our men and women in uniform make on behalf of our nation," Senator Roberts said.
The Scholarship Program for Family Members of Veterans or Members of the Military, introduced by Senators Roberts and Richard Burr (R-NC), establishes need-based scholarships of up to $5,000 for each academic year for spouses and children. The scholarship was the brainchild of ThanksUSA, a non-partisan, charitable effort to mobilize Americans of all ages to "thank" the men and women of the United States armed forces by providing college, technical and vocational school scholarships for their children and spouses. Senator Roberts closely worked with this organization on the measure.
Members of the military will also benefit from the following provisions: the value of on-base military housing or basic allowance for housing is excluded from need analysis for financial aid calculations; states are required to offer in-state tuition rates to military members and their children and spouses; interest will not accrue on Direct Loans made to students while they are called up on active duty in an area of hostility; and children of military parents killed in action in Iraq or Afghanistan will automatically be eligible to receive the maximum Pell grant.
Building on Senator Roberts’ efforts to promote math and science education, he included a provision establishing the "Mathematics and Science Scholars Program," a competitive matching grant to states to provide scholarships to 1st year college students who have completed a rigorous secondary school curriculum in math or science, and to post-1st year undergraduates who major in science, technology, engineering, math, or a health-related field The maximum award is $5,000 per academic year.
The bill expands the Pell Grant program by increasing authorizations for the maximum Pell grant. These need-based grants will grow to a maximum of $6,000 for 2009-2010. Grants will then increase by $400.00 every year through 2015 to $8,000. Students will also now be able to receive year-round Pell grants to accelerate their programs of study.
The bill now goes to the President to be signed into law.
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