"Quality education is the key to success, for our kids and for our country. I have made it one of my top priorities to ensure all of our citizens have the opportunity to receive a quality education that will allow them to succeed in the global marketplace. In a recovering economy, the federal government must do more to help states, districts, schools and communities support students before graduation, and we must provide students and their families with assistance to make college more accessible and affordable." - Maurice

• Providing Emergency Funding for Our Public Schools: The economic downturn that began in 2007 stressed local budgets and threatened widespread teacher layoffs. To address this crisis, Maurice proudly supported the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which has already saved and created 1,133 education jobs in the congressional district he represents. He also worked to secure $10.5 billion in additional emergency funding in 2010 that prevented teacher layoffs that would have led to larger class sizes and increased property taxes.
• Making Higher Education More Affordable and Accessible: Maurice voted for the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA), which completely overhauled the federal student loan program, saving taxpayers $61 billion that is now being used to make the most significant college aid investment in American history. Without SAFRA, the maximum Pell Grant was set to be cut in half from $5,540 in 2010 to $2,840 in 2011. Instead, constituents in Maurice's congressional district will now see the maximum grant gradually increase to $5,975. Before these reforms, the federal government was giving big banks billions of taxpayer dollars to encourage them to provide loans to students, even though the federal government was already guaranteeing the loans in case the students didn't repay.
• Providing Tax Credits for College Expenses: Maurice also supported the American Opportunity Tax Credit, providing up to $2,500 annually per qualifying student for college tuition and expenses.