Latest Action Archives

Archives for January - September 2007

Congress and the Administration Pass Continuing Resolution
September 29, 2007 - Unable to reach a compromise on the FY2008 appropriations bills, Congress and the Administration passed a continuing resolution to keep the government operational until November 16th. Appropriations leaders have indicated that Congress will have to pass another resolution until late December.

Congress and the Administration have not been able to resolve their differences on the 12 appropriations bills. The Senate is poised to take up the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill during the week of October 13th. Unfortunately, Congress and the Administration are very far apart on the funding levels in the bills. At present, it is unclear what the resolution will be.

President Signs H.R. 2669 Into Law
September 27, 2007 - The President signed H.R. 2669, the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. The bill would provide historic funding increases in the Pell Grant program. The bill takes effect as of October 1, 2007. The bill provides significant funding for the Pell Grant program and would increase the Pell Grant maximum.

Here are the Pell Grant maximum allocation levels:
$490 in 2008-09 and 2009-10
$690 in 2010-11 and 2011-12
$1,090 in 2012-13
The funding in the reconciliation is on the mandatory side and is not subject to the annual (discretionary) appropriations process. If the discretionary total remains the same till 2012, the total maximum will be $5,400.

In addition, the bill does the following:
Increases the Income Protection Allowance for independent students;
Provides funding increases for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Predominately Black Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Alaska/Hawaiian Native Institutions, and Asian American Pacific Islander Institutions;
Creates a competitive loan auction pilot program;
Creates the TEACH grants, to provide funds to students who commit to teach in high-need schools for four years;To see the new law, click here.

Congress Passes H.R. 2669
September 7, 2007 - The House of Representatives and Senate passed H.R. 2669, the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, with overwhelming support. The House by a 292-97 vote passed the bill. The Senate by a 79-12 vote passed the bill. The bill will now awaits the President's signature. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings recently announced that the President would sign the bill into law.

The bill provides significant funding for the Pell Grant program and would increase the Pell Grant maximum.
Here are the allocation levels:
$490 in 2008-09 and 2009-10
$690 in 2010-11 and 2011-12
$1,090 in 2012-13
The funding in the reconciliation is on the mandatory side and is not subject to the annual (discretionary) appropriations process. If the discretionary total remains the same till 2012, the total maximum will be $5,400.

In addition, the bill does the following:
Increases the Income Protection Allowance for independent students;
Provides funding increases for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Predominately Black Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Alaska/Hawaiian Native Institutions, and Asian American Pacific Islander Institutions; Creates a competitive loan auction pilot program; Creates the TEACH grants, to provide funds to students who commit to teach in high-need schools for four years;ACCT joined in a letter of support for H.R. 2669. Please visit the Letters to Congress section view the House and Senate letters.

Conference Committee Releases Finalized Bill
September 5, 2007 - The Budget Reconciliation Conference Committee released the finalized version of H.R. 2669, the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. The signature piece of the bill is its historic funding increase for the Pell Grant program. In total, over $15 billion would be distributed to Pell Grant students. The funding for the programs within the bill is supported by cuts to payments to student loan providers and agencies.

Previously, the Administration had issued a veto threat to the House version of H.R. 2669. The compromise bill is expected to garner Administration support because the modified bill addresses one of the chief complaints from the Administration, the lack of funding for need based aid. The compromise bill provides significantly more funds for Pell Grants than the previous House version.

The bill provides significant funding for the Pell Grant program and would increase the Pell Grant maximum. Here are the allocation levels:
$490 in 2008-09 and 2009-10
$690 in 2010-11 and 2011-12
$1,090 in 2012-13

The funding in the reconciliation is on the mandatory side and is not subject to the annual (discretionary) appropriations process. If the discretionary total remains the same till 2012, the total maximum will be $5,400.

Also, the bill eliminates the tuition sensitivity provision. The Committee provided $11 million to ensure that current students will receive their 2007-08 Pell Grants. If the appropriations were not included, thousands of students were at risk of losing funds because of tuition sensitivity.
In addition, the bill does the following:
Increases the Income Protection Allowance for independent students;
Provides funding increases for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Predominately Black Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Alaska/Hawaiian Native Institutions, and Asian American Pacific Islander Institutions;
Creates a competitive loan auction pilot program;
Creates the TEACH grants, to provide funds to students who commit to teach in high-need schools for four years; The bill is now slated to be considered by the House and Senate in the coming days. The bill is expected pass and be sent to the President’s desk for his signature.

Budget Reconciliation Conference Committee Holds Meeting
September 5, 2007 - The Budget Reconciliation Conference Committee held a largely pro-forma meeting to begin the process of creating a final version of the budget reconciliation. The Committee voted House Education and Labor Chairman George Miller (D-CA) as Chairman for the conference committee. Chairman Miller noted that he wanted to finalize the process quickly.

Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY) noted that the Senate had finalized its version of the Higher Education Act (HEA) with unanimous support. Sen. Enzi urged Chairman Miller to move HEA so that the bill could be completed. Chairman Miller stated that the House Committee was considering No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and would take up HEA after NCLB’s consideration. The Committee is expected to release a compromise bill shortly.

Senate Passes Budget Reconciliation to Increase Funding For Need Based Funding
July 19, 2007 - The Senate by a vote of 78-18 its version of the Budget Reconciliation, S. 1762. The bill contains $18 billion in cuts to student loan providers, in turn, $17 billion will be distributed to help low-income students attend college. The bill creates “Promise Grants” which would provie funding to Pell Grant students by approximately $400 for the first year and topping out at $700 in 2011. The House Budget Reconciliation bill increases the maximum by $100 a year for five years. The House would provide the funds through Pell. The Senate bill also eliminates the tuition sensitivity provision. ACCT sent a letter of support for S. 1762.

The House and Senate now have to begin conferencing the bills. The two bills are structurally different and the conference committee will have to reach consensus on a number of provisions, including the funding mechanism to distribute the bulk of the funding.

House of Representatives Passes $390 increase in the Pell Grant Maximum
July 19, 2007 - The House of Representatives passed H.R. 3043 its version of the FY08 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill by a vote of 276-140. The bill provides $153.7 billion in discretionary funds and increases education funding. The bill increases funding for the Pell Grant maximum. The maximum was increased by $390 for a total of $4700. The Administration had sought an increase of $4600.

The Administration had issued a veto threat for the bill because the bill exceeds the funding levels outlined the President's budget request. The final House vote was very close to the threshold to override a presidential veto. The Senate still needs to consider its version of the FY08 funding bill. With the number of legislative days dwindling, the House and Senate may begin conferencing their bills and bypass the Senate floor.

Other funding levels of programs include:
$125 million for Community Based Job Training program, level funding
$79.5 million for Strengthening Institutions (HEA, Title III-A), level funding
$1.3 billion for State Vocational Education Grants (Perkins), including $104.8 million for Tech-Prep, level funding

House Passes Bill to Increase Pell Grants
July 11, 2007 - The House Education of Representatives passed HR 2669, the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007 by a vote of 273-149. The bill serves as a vehicle to carryout the cuts mandated by the budget resolution which requested that the committee find $750 million in cuts for the upcoming year. Overall, the bill increases funding for Pell Grants and new programs by $18 billion over the next five years. ACCT sent a letter in support of the bill. To see the letter, click here: Adobe PDF.

The bill does the following: 1) increases the Pell Grant maximum over the next five years, $200 for the first year and topping out at $500 after five years; 2) increases the authorization levels of the maximum reaching $11,600 in 2012-13; 3) changes the eligibility structure of the Academic Competitiveness grants, as per ACCT’s recommendations, allowing legal immigrants and part-time and certificate students to participate in the program; 4) increases the income protection allowance for independent students; 5) eliminates the Pell Grant tuition sensitivity provisions that effectively discriminates against students attending low cost institutions; 6) creates $500 million ($100 million a year) in additional funding for Hispanic Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Institutions and Predominately Black Institutions; and 7) creates new programs to provide tuition assistance and loan forgiveness to teachers and other public service professions.

The House now waits for the Senate to complete action on the budget reconciliation. Once complete, the House and Senate will begin conferencing their respective bills.

House Appropriations Committee Passes $390 Increase in the Pell Grant Maximum
July 11, 2007 - The House Appropriations Committee passed its version of the FY08 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill by voice vote. The FY08 funding bill provides $153.7 billion in discretionary funds. This bill represents a significant funding increase from the Administration's request of $141 billion. The Administration has issued a veto threat for appropriations bills that exceed the funding levels in the President's budget request.

Most significantly, the bill increases funding for the Pell Grant maximum. The maximum was increased by $390 for a total of $4700. The Administration had sought an increase of $4600.

Other funding levels of programs:
$125 million for the Community Based Job Training program, level funding
$79.5 million for Strengthening Institutions (HEA, Title III-A), level funding
$1.3 billion for State Vocational Education Grants (Perkins), including $104.8 million for Tech-Prep, level funding

Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey announced that the bill would likely be considered on the House floor next week.

Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Education Appropriations Bill
June 21, 2007 - The Senate Appropriations Committee passed its version of the FY08 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education which provides $152 billion in discretionary funds. This bill represents a significant funding increase from the Administration's request of $141 billion. The Administration has issued a veto threat for appropriations bills that exceed the funding levels in the President's budget request.

The Committee approved the bill by a 26-3 vote. The bill increases funding for Pell Grants, but does not increase the Pell Grant maximum, instead it kept it at the FY07 level, $4,310. The House appropriations bill increases the maximum to $4,700. The Administration had sought a Pell Grant maximum of $4,600.

Other funding levels of programs:
$125 million for the Community Based Job Training program, level funding
$79.5 million for Strengthening Institutions (HEA, Title III-A), level funding
$1.3 billion for State Vocational Education Grants (Perkins), including $104.8 million for Tech-Prep, level funding.

The bill will now proceed to the Senate floor for consideration. The Senate will likely consider the bill in July.

Senate Committee Passes Higher Education Act and Budget Reconciliation
June 20, 2007 - The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee passed two higher education bills that will benefit students and institutions. The Committee passed, by a 17-3 vote, a budget reconciliation bill that contains $18 billion in cuts to student loan providers, in turn, $17 billion will be distributed to help low-income students attend college. The bill creates “Promise Grants” which will increase the Pell Grants maximum for students by $400 for the first year and topping out at $700 in 2011. The House budget reconciliation had increased the maximum by $100 a year for five years. The Senate bill also eliminates the tuition sensitivity provision.

The Committee also passed S. 1642, the Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA) by a 20-0 vote. The bill would do the following: 1) increases the Pell Grant maximum authorization levels; 2) overhauls the financial aid application; 3) allows part-time, certificate and legal immigrants to be eligible for the Academic Competitiveness grants; 4) prohibits inducements from student financial aid lenders and creates new code of conducts for institutions and their officers and employees; and 5) increases the income protection allowance for independent students.

The bill is now slated to be considered on the Senate floor. Meanwhile, the House still has not offered its version of HEA. But, the House’s budget reconciliation bill contains some authorizing language. The House is expected to offer their HEA bill in the coming months.

Senate Subcommittee Keeps the Pell Grant Maximum at $4,310
June 19, 2007 - The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education passed its FY08 funding bill which provides $152 billion in discretionary funds. This bill represents a significant funding increase from the Administration's request of $141 billion. The Administration has issued a veto threat for appropriations bills that exceed the funding levels in the President's budget request.

While the Subcommittee increased funds for the Department of Education and the Pell grant program, it kept the Pell Grant maximum at $4,310. The House bill increases the maximum to $4,700. The Administration had sought a Pell Grant maximum of $4,600.

The full committee is expected to consider the bill on June 21st.

House Committee Passes Funding to Increase the Pell Grant Maximum
June 13, 2007 - The House Education and Labor Committee passed HR 2669, the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007. The bill serves as a vehicle to carryout the cuts mandated by the budget resolution which requested that the committee find $750 million in cuts for the upcoming year. Overall, the bill increases funding for Pell Grants and new programs by almost $20 billion over the next five years.

The bill does the following: 1) increases the Pell Grant maximum over the next five years, $100 for the first year and topping out at $500 after five years; 2) increases the authorization levels of the maximum reaching $11,600 in 2012-13; 3) changes the eligibility structure of the Academic Competitiveness grants, as per ACCT’s recommendations, allowing legal immigrants and part-time and certificate students to participate in the program; 4) increases the income protection allowance for independent students; 5) eliminates the Pell Grant tuition sensitivity provisions that effectively discriminates against students attending low cost institutions; 6) creates $500 million ($100 million a year) in additional funding for Hispanic Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Institutions and Predominately Black Institutions; and 7) creates new programs to provide tuition assistance and loan forgiveness to teachers and other public service professions.

The bill is now slated for consideration on the House floor in the coming weeks.

House Subcommittee Passes $390 Increase in the Pell Grant Maximum
June 7, 2007 - The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education passed its FY08 funding bill which provides $153.7 billion in discretionary funds. This bill represents a significant funding increase from the Administration's request of $141 billion. The Administration has issued a veto threat for appropriations bills that exceed the funding levels in the President's budget request.

More specifically, the Subcommittee increased funds for the Department of Education by $4.3 billion from last year's level. One of the most significant actions was the sizeable funding increase in the Pell Grant maximum. The maximum was increased by $390 for a total of $4700. The Administration had sought an increase of $4600.

Other funding levels of programs:
$125 million for the Community Based Job Training program, level funding
$79.5 million for Strengthening Institutions (HEA, Title III-A), level funding
$1.3 billion for State Vocational Education Grants (Perkins), including $104.8 million for Tech-Prep, level funding

House Committee Holds Hearing at Austin Community College
June 4, 2007 - The House Education and Labor Subcomittee on Higher Education held a field hearing on the campus of Austin Community College. The hearing was focused on the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA), specifically about Title III and Title V of HEA. Two members of the witness panel came from the community college community including Austin Community College and Tohono O'odham Community College, AZ.

Congress Passes FY2008 Budget Resolution
May 18, 2007 - Congress approved a $2.9 trillion budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Democratic leaders moved the budget which contains funding increases for education and other domestic programs. The vote outcome in the House and Senate were largely along partisan lines. The House passed the resolution by a 214-209 vote. The Senate passed the resolution by a 52-40 vote. The passage of the budget resolution paves the way for the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to begin considering the various appropriations bills. The budget resolution is $20 billion more than the President's budget request. It is expected that a bulk of the increase over the President's request will be devoted to education and other domestic programs.

While the President does not sign the budget resolution, the White House has signaled that they are opposed to the overall funding level in the budget resolution. Furthermore, the White House has stated that the President will veto appropriations bills that exceed the President's budget request. It is still unclear how Congress and the White House will work out the funding differences.

The House and Senate Appropriations Committee are expected to start consideration of the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bills. Trustees should utilize the legislative action center to voice strong support for increasing the funding levels for key community college programs, including Pell Grants, Community Based Job Training Grants program, and the Carl Perkins career and technical programs.

Senate Negotiators Reach Agreement on Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill; DREAM Act Provisions Included in the Bill
May 18, 2007 - Senate negotiators finally reached agreement on a comprehensive immigration reform bill that would address the nation's immigration policy. The negotiators included the DREAM Act into the bill. Congressional staff have the bill would allow individuals under the age of 30, who came to the US as children, have graduated from high school, are pursuing high education or military services, an opportunity to access in-state tuition, federal loans and work study.

The Senate is expected to consider the bill shortly, but it is unclear when the House will take up the bill. The White House has voiced support for the bill.

ACCT Outlines Funding Request for Key Programs
May 11, 2007 - ACCT and AACC sent a letter to the House Appropriations Committee outlining the education funding request for the upcoming fiscal year. ACCT is seeking increased funds for the Pell Grant maximum, the Carl Perkins Basic Grants and Tech Prep, and the Community Based Job Training Grants program.

To view the letter: click here

House Passes Resolution Honoring National Community College Month
May 1, 2007 - The House of Representatives passed H. Res. 334 by a 420-0 vote. The resolution honors National Community College Month. The Community College Caucus led by Reps. Brad Miller (D-NC), Michael Castle (R-DE), Roger Wicker (R-MS) and David Wu (D-OR) introduced the resolution to show their strong support for the nation's community colleges.

A number of Representatives spoke in favor of their community college and the resolution. To view the speeches: click here

To view the resolution: click here

**House's Higher Education Subcommittee Hears from Panel about Financing for Higher Education **
May 1, 2007 - The House Committee on Education and Labor's Subcommittee on Higher Education held a hearing on "Paying for a College Education: Barriers and Solutions for Students and Families." The witness panel discussed ways to alleviate the cost of higher education and reduce student debt by increasing need-based aid, increasing the Pell Grant maximum, and increasing tax deductions. Members of the panel also noted that student debt has been increasing for years and many students leaving college are crippled by their debt.

Subcommittee members and the witnesses noted the importance of community colleges as an affordable component to the higher education system and expressed strong for articulation agreements between 2yr and 4yr institutions.

Department of Education Announces 2008 Community College Research Symposium
April 30, 2007 - The U.S. Department of Education is planning a 2008 “Community College Research Symposium.” The Department of Education’s Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) will commission ten original research syntheses and secondary data analyses on topics of importance to community college leaders and policymakers. Information about submitting a proposal to author one of the commissioned papers or participating in the symposium will appear on the OVAE Web site in the coming weeks.

For more information, visit

Sens. Richard Burr (R-NC) and Benjamin Nelson (D-NE) Circulate Dear Colleague Letter Urging Senators to Join the Senate's Community College Caucus
April 30, 2007 - Sens. Richard Burr (R-NC) and Benjamin Nelson (D-NE), who recently started the Senate Community College Caucus, sent a Dear Colleague Letter to the Senate urging Senators to join the Senate's Community College Caucus.

Trustees should utilize ACCT's Legislative Action Center to ask their Senators to join the Caucus.

To view the Dear Colleague Letter: click here

Community College Caucus Introduces Resolution Honoring April as National Community College Month
April 24, 2007 - The House of Representatives' Community College Caucus introduced H. Res. 334, a resolution honoring "April as National Community College Month." The Caucus led by Reps. Brad Miller (D-NC), Michael Castle (R-DE), Roger Wicker (R-MS) and David Wu (D-OR) introduced the resolution to show their strong support for the nation's community colleges.

The Community College Caucus is working to get the resolution to the House floor on the week of April 30th for consideration.

To view the resolution: click here
To view ACCT's letter of support: click here

Sens. Richard Burr (R-NC) and Benjamin Nelson (D-NE) Start Senate Community College Caucus
April 20, 2007 - Sens. Richard Burr (R-NC) and Benjamin Nelson (D-NE) recently started the Senate Community College Caucus which will work with the House Caucus to educate and advocate for the nation's community colleges. The Caucus is currently recruiting Senators to join the Caucus. Please visit ACCT's Legislative Action Center, to send a letter to your Senators requesting that they join the Caucus.

To send a letter, click here

ACCT and AACC Submit HEA Recommendations
April 13, 2007 - ACCT and AACC submitted Higher Education Act reauthorization recommendations to the House Education and Labor Committee. The committee requested HEA recommendations from stakeholder organizations. In the recommendations, ACCT outlined a number of changes needed in the Pell and Academic Competitiveness Grant program. The Committee is expected to consider HEA during the fall.

ACCT and AACC's HEA recommendations: click here

House Passes FY2008 Budget Resolution
March 29, 2007 - The House passed its version of the FY08 budget resolution by a vote of 216-210. The resolution includes an additional $3 billion for education and domestic priorities, from FY07 levels (or $5 billion over the Administration’s request). It is expected that some of the additional funds are to be used for an increase in the Pell Grant maximum.

The House and Senate Budget Committee conferees are expected to meet to finalize the FY2008 budget resolution.

Senate Passes FY2008 Budget Resolution
March 23, 2007 - The Senate passed its version of the FY08 budget resolution by a vote of 52-47. The resolution includes a significant increase in funding for education programs. In total, the resolution includes an additional $6.1 billion over the Administration’s request of $56 billion. Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND) noted that his top domestic priority in the budget was increasing funding for education.

The House Budget Committee recently released and passed, by a 22-17 vote, its version of the FY08 budget resolution. The resolution includes an additional $3 billion for education and domestic priorities, from FY07 levels (or $5 billion over the Administration’s request). The House is expected to consider the budget during the week of March 26.

House Subcommittee Holds Hearing on HEA
March 22, 2007 - The House Education and Labor Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning and Competitiveness held its second hearing on the Higher Education Act (HEA). The subcommittee heard from individuals about the preparation needed for students to enter college. Of note, witnesses noted the importance of the GEARUP program in helping low-income students prepare for college.

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee is expected to introduce its version of HEA in April. The bulk of the bill will likely remain the same from the bi-partisan bill that the committee passed last Congress.

**House Appropriations Committee Members Cite Concerns About Funding Levels for Perkins **
March 19, 2007 - Assistant Secretary of Education Troy Justesen appeared before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. During the hearing, committee members expressed concern with the Department of Education’s request to slash funding for the Perkins program and the elimination of the Tech Prep program. Committee members stated that they would restore funding for these critical programs.

Senate Budget Committee Introduces FY2008 Budget Resolution; House Expected to Act Shortly
March 14, 2007 - The Senate Budget Committee began the process to pass a FY08 budget resolution. Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND) released the budget resolution which increases funding for the Department of Education by $6.1 billion over the Administration's request of $56 billion. Although it is unclear at the moment, Pell Grants are expected to receive a significant increase. The Committee is expected to pass the resolution tomorrow, with floor debate expected shortly. The House Budget Committee is expected to consider their budget next week.

Once the House and Senate agree on a budget resolution, it will need to pass the final resolution. The Administration does not sign the resolution. The resolution will act as the funding guide for the Appropriations Committee.

Appropriators Hold Hearing on Department's Higher Education Budget Request
March 14, 2007 - The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education held a hearing on the US Department of Education Higher Education's FY08 budget request. Sara Martinez Tucker, Undersecretary of Education, represented the Department before the committee.

During the hearing, members voiced concerns about the level of funding for higher education programs and the reduction of funding for the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG), Leveraging Education Assistance Partnerships (LEAP), and the Perkins Loans. Members stated that they would work to restore cuts to SEOG, LEAP and Perkins.

Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) stated her concern about the Department's proposal to cap Pell Grant eligibility to 16 semesters. Rep. Roybal-Allard noted that many community college students attend college on a part-time basis because of financial necessity. The cap on Pell Grant eligibility could limit the ability of community college students to complete their education at a 4yr institution. Tucker noted that the cap was intended for students entering and completing their education at a 4yr institution.

Earlier in the week, Secretary Margaret Spellings appeared before the Subcommittee. During the hearing, members from both parties noted their concerns with the Department's budget. Chairman David Obey (D-WI) stated that he would provide additional funds for education in the FY08 appropriations bill.

House Subcommittee Begins Hearings on Higher Education Act
March 8, 2007 - The House Education and Labor Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning and Competitiveness had its first hearing in preparation to considering the Higher Education Act (HEA). The subcommittee is led by Chairman Ruben Hinojosa, a former community college board chair. The subcommittee heard from a wide variety of individuals about issues related to affordability and access.

During the hearing, Reps. Buck McKeon (R-CA) and Ric Keller (R-FL) noted the importance of community colleges and how these colleges are the most affordable for college students.

Senate and House Sponsors Introduce the DREAM Act
March 7, 2007 - Sens. Richard Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Hagel (R-IL) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) introduced S. 774, the DREAM Act, which allows states to grant undocumented students postsecondary education benefits based on state residency. The bill also creates a pathway to legal permanent residency and ultimately citizenship for these students.

Reps. Howard Berman (D-CA), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) introduced the House companion bill, H.R. 1275. The House and Senate bills will likely be included in a comprehensive immigration reform bill.
To view the bill: click here

**House Passes Bill to Eliminate "Tuition Sensitivity" **
February 28, 2007 - Yesterday, the House passed H.R. 990, Pell Grant Equity Act of 2007, by voice vote which eliminates the "tuition sensitivity" provision of the Higher Education Act. "Tuition sensitivity" discriminates against the neediest community college students if they attend a lower-cost institution by lowering their Pell Grant award. The California Community College Chancellor's office estimates that 260,000 community college are at risk because of this provision. Also, as the Pell Grant maximum increases more students from across the country will fall under this provision unless it is eliminated.

The bill now heads over to the Senate for consideration. With the strong support from the House and the Administration, the Senate is expected to pass the bill.

ACCT's letter in support of H.R. 990: Click Here

Senate Passes FY2007 Appropriations Funding Resolution, President Signs the Bill
February 15, 2007 - Yesterday, the Senate passed HJ Res. 20, the Joint Funding Resolution totaling $463.5 billion for the nine remaining FY2007 appropriations bills. The Senate considered the bill after the House of Representatives passed the bill that provides funding for the remaining FY2007 Appropriations bills. The resolution included the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill. By a vote of 81-15, the Senate approved the resolution. The resolution now heads to the President for his signature. The President signed the bill on February 15th.

In a major victory for students and community colleges, the resolution provides a significant boost to the Pell Grant maximum, increasing it to $4,310, an increase of $260. Overall, the total funding level for Pell Grants increased to $13.6 billion, an increase of $615.4 million. The Pell Grant maximum had been frozen for the past four years. For other community college priorities, the resolution level funded the programs at FY2006 levels, including all of the higher education programs such as Strengthening Institutions (Title III-A) at $79.5 million, Community-Based Job Training Grant program at $124 million and the State Vocational Education Grants, Perkins, at $1.3 billion.

The status of Senate action was unclear until the very last moment because a number of Senators offered amendments during the consideration of the bill. Fortunately, the amendments were withdrawn and the Senate passed the bill. If the Senate had passed an amendment, the bill would have been sent to the Conference Committee. The bill funds federal programs until the end of the federal fiscal year, September 30, 2007.

**President Releases FY2008 Department of Education Budget Request **
February 5, 2007 - Today, the President released his FY2008 Budget Request for the Department of Education. The total request is $56 billion for higher education and K-12 programs. The centerpiece of the Budget Request is the increase in the Pell Grant maximum to $4,600. Additionally, the request outlines the goal of increasing the maximum to $5,400 by FY2012 by increasing the maximum by $200 for each year after FY2008.

Based on the figures, it appears that the Department eliminated funding for the Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (SEOG), $770.6 million and the Leveraging Education Assistance Partnerships (LEAP), $64.5 million to support the increase in the Pell Grant maximum. A Department spokesperson noted specifically that SEOG was eliminated because Pell Grants were better suited at targeting funds to the neediest students.

Although Congress passed the Carl Perkins Career and Technical Education reauthorization bill last year with near unanimous support, the request cuts almost $700 million from the programs for the upcoming year. The request eliminates the Tech-Prep state grants and cuts $582.4 million from the basic state grants.

Here is a brief list of programs and their funding levels in relation to FY2006:

Pell Grant maximum: $4,600, increase of $550
Pell Grant funding: $13.22 billion, increase of $616 million
Strengthening Institutions, Title III: $79.5, level funding
Perkins State Grants: $600 million, decrease of $582.4 million
Tech Prep: $0, decrease of $105 million

Additionally, the Department of Labor released its FY2008 request which seeks an increase of $26 million for the Community Based Job Training Grants program, for a total of $150 million.

House Passes FY2007 Appropriations Funding Resolution, Senate to Act Shortly
February 5, 2007 - Last week, the House of Representatives passed HJ Res. 20, the Joint Funding Resolution totaling $463.5 billion for the nine remaining FY2007 appropriations bills. The House moved shortly after Congressional and Appropriations leaders agreed upon on a final course of action for the remaining FY2007 Appropriations bills. The resolution included the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill. By a vote of 286-140, the House approved the resolution. The resolution is now headed to the Senate for consideration.

The Joint Resolution now heads to the Senate floor for consideration. The status of Senate action is unclear because any Senator may attempt to add an amendment on the floor. If the amendment passes, the House and Senate will need to resolve the differences. If the Senate passes an amendment-free resolution, the resolution will be sent to the President’s desk for his signature. Upon final passage, the President is expected to sign the resolution.

Congress Set to Finalize Appropriations and Increase the Pell Grant Maximum
January 30, 2007 - Congressional leaders have agreed upon on a final course of action for the remaining FY2007 Appropriations bills. Leadership and Appropriators will offer a Joint Funding Resolution totaling $463.5 billion for the nine remaining FY2007 appropriations bills. One of the remaining bills is the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations bill.

In a major victory for students and community colleges, the resolution provides a significant boost to the Pell Grant maximum, increasing it to $4,310, an increase of $260. Overall, the total funding level for Pell Grants increased to $13.6 billion, an increase of $615.4 million. The Pell Grant maximum had been frozen for the past five years. For the most part, the Congressional leaders kept the programmatic funding levels at FY2006 levels, including all of the higher education programs such as Strengthening Institutions (Title III-A), $79.5 million. Other programs that were level funded include the Community-Based Job Training Grant program at $124 million and the State Vocational Education Grants, Perkins, at $1.3 billion.

The Joint Resolution now heads to the House floor for consideration. After passage, it heads to the Senate floor. Upon final passage, the President is expected to sign the resolution.

**110th Congress Sworn-In **
January 8, 2007 - On January 4th, the members of the 110th Congress were sworn-in. For the first time, the House of Representative elected a female speaker, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). In coming days and weeks, Congress will work on a full slate of items including ethics reform, minimum wage increase and reduction of student loan interest rates. While the chairmen of the various committees were announced, congressional leaders have not named all of the subcommittee chairs and committee assignments. The House changed the name of the Education and the Workforce Committee to the Education and Labor Committee.

Appropriations leaders, led by chairmen David Obey (D-WI) and Robert Byrd (D-WV), need to wrap-up the FY2007 appropriations bills. Congress needs to resolve the funding levels prior to the release of the Administration’s FY2008 budget request.

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