Congressman Cohen Speaks for LeMoyne-Owen and Votes to Remove Other Barriers to College Enrollment
“I’m proud to be here and support this amendment with Congressman Cooper,” said Congressman Cohen. “In my district, LeMoyne-Owen College has struggled financially. It is an institution of long and historic importance to our community, and it has done a great deal for our city in educating young people and it continues to do so. This amendment would give LeMoyne-Owen additional help so they can continue to serve a mission that is unique in this country: providing quality, affordable higher education for the African-American community.”
Additionally, the House adopted an amendment introduced by Rep. George Miller, Chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor that, among other things, would increase the amount of money available to HBCUs through federal loans and lower the interest rate for such loans. Congressman Cohen explained, “I have been in communication with Chairman Miller and House leadership for months to advocate for enhanced federal support for LeMoyne-Owen College, Fisk University and other HBCUs around the nation.”
Congressman Cohen and an overwhelming bipartisan majority of his colleagues voted the College Opportunity and Affordability Act through the House later in the day. It passed by a vote of 354 to 58. The Act will reform and strengthen the nation’s higher education programs to ensure that they operate in the best interests of students and families. The legislation is the second major step that the new Democratic Congress has taken to make college more affordable and accessible for all qualified students. Last year, Congress enacted a $20 billion increase in college financial aid over the next five years, the largest increase in student aid since the G.I. Bill of 1944.
“I am pleased that we were able to pass this important legislation with such a strong, bipartisan majority,” Congressman Cohen stated. “Over the past five years, tuition and fees have increased across the country at public and private universities. This bill addresses such rising costs by encouraging colleges to rein in price increases, ensuring that states maintain their commitments to higher education funding, and providing students and families with consumer friendly information on college pricing and the factors driving tuition increases.”
“The legislation also strengthens provisions previously approved by the House to avoid conflicts of interest in the student loan programs. The bill’s new provisions include requiring better consumer disclosures and protections on private student loans. Together these protections form a Bill of Rights for college consumers.”
In addition, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act would:
- Streamline the federal student financial aid application process;
- Make textbook costs more manageable for students by, among other things, helping them plan for textbook expenses in advance of each semester;
- Allow students to receive year-round Pell Grant scholarships;
- Strengthen college readiness and support programs for minority and low-income students;
- Increase college aid and support programs for veterans and military families;
- Improve safety on college campuses and help schools recover and rebuild after a disaster;
- Ensure equal college opportunities and fair learning environments for students with disabilities; and
- Strengthen our nation’s workforce and economic competitiveness by boosting science, technology, and foreign language educational opportunities.
H.R. 4137 is a comprehensive reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, the primary federal law aimed at expanding college access for low- and middle-income students. The bill is supported by a broad coalition of students, colleges and universities, consumer rights advocacy groups, minority organizations, and more.
For more information on the College Opportunity and Affordability Act, go to https://edlabor.house.gov/publications/20071109COAASummary.pdf.
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Contact:
Marilyn Dillihay, Press Secretary, Congressman Cohen (202) 225-3265/ (202) 368-9275
Charlie Gerber, Communications Assistant, (202) 225-3265 / (202) 320-2817