Democratic Lawmakers' Statement on National HBCU Week
Democratic Congress Sends Historic Funding Increase for HBCUs to the President’s Desk

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Reps. George Miller (D-CA), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), and Danny K. Davis (D-IL), issued the following comments today in honor of National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week, which falls this week.

“More than 150 years after the first historically black college helped African American students get a college degree, the role of HBCUs is as important as ever. Not only do HBCUs continue to provide students with a top-notch education, they also offer unique – and critical – support services that help recruit and retain low-income and minority students,” said Miller, the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee. “Last week the Democratic Congress approved legislation that will provide an historic increase in college aid – including a landmark investment in HBCUs. The College Cost Reduction and Access Act will ensure that HBCUs, which include schools that were deeply impacted by Hurricane Katrina, can continue to help students achieve their educational and professional goals.”

“HBCUs are a critical part of our history. Their students are often the first in their families to attend college and their graduates are some of our nation’s best-known leaders,” said Scott. “The College Cost Reduction Act will help HBCUs continue their important mission.”

“As an HBCU graduate I know firsthand the needs and value of these institutions,” said Davis. “These new resources will strengthen their capacity to continue the tradition of developing Black talent into leadership.”

The College Cost Reduction Act, H.R. 2669, will provide roughly $20 billion in college aid at no new cost to taxpayers by reducing the excessive subsidies that the federal government pays to lenders. The legislation will provide $170 million in grants for HBCUs over the next five years. All 99 HBCUs that currently receive federal funds will benefit from this funding increase.

Additionally, the bill boosts the maximum Pell Grant scholarship by $1,090 over five years, raising the scholarship from its current value of $4,310 to a maximum of $5,400 by 2012. About 47 percent of all African-American students receive Pell Grant scholarships each year. Eligible students could see an immediate increase of $490 in their maximum Pell Grant scholarship in the 2008-2009 school year.

For more information on the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, click here.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tom Kiley / Rachel Racusen
2181 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-226-0853