U.S. Reauthorizes Higher Education Act

In this blog, Lynn comments on the March 2006 actions taken in Congress to reauthorize the Higher Education Act.

Congress is finally making an attempt to update some really outdated legislation--the Higher Education Act. The changes proposed in the new legislation are of great concern to students and administrators for a number of reasons:

• 1. Congress proposes changes to financial aid programs that would benfit students greatly:
  • New merit-based aid programs--a tremendous boon to middle-income families;
  • Lower interest rates for student loan borrowers;
  • Homeless youth could apply for financial aid as independent students--no longer would they have to track down an absent or uninterested parent to sign off on financial aid applications;
  • Pell Grant expansion--this would allow a college/university to grant Pell for each semester of an academic year, including summer;
  • Federally supported loan repayment options for public service employees in high need areas;
  • Expanded federal grants for teachers; and
  • Expansion of the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship to permit homeschoolers to qualify.
• 2. Congress proposes that colleges/universities expand student services to develop specialized retention programs for pregnant and parenting students--this is a very welcome measure for many students as issues related to parenting and child-care are one of the primary reasons (other than cash-flow) for stopping-out (leaving school temporarily) and dropping out.
• 3. Congress proposes that colleges/universities adapt programs to enable special needs students to participate in higher education programs that further develop life-skills and increase the student's employability--this is a tremendous opportunity for parents of special needs children.

Of course, this legislation has to pass through both houses of Congress before it has a chance to become law. As of March 31, 2006, the legislation has passed the House; but, it still has to go to the Senate. We'll just have to wait and see how this plays out over the next month or so.

How do you feel about the proposed changes? Send your comments or questions to: collegeuniversity@suite101.com. Your input is always welcome!

Until next time! Lynn Byrne