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| August 1st, 2008 |
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Media Contact(s): Mark Eddington, 202-224-5251 |
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HIGHER EDUCATION BILL PASSES WITH KEY HATCH PROVISION
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WASHINGTON – A bill containing a key provision from Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) that protects private institutions’ religious freedoms passed the Senate late Thursday.
The Conference Report of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 protects religious freedom by requiring accrediting agencies to apply and enforce standards that respect the stated missions of private institutions, including religious missions.
“But that is only one provision in the bill,” said Hatch, a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee and a conferee on this major piece of legislation. “This bill provides families with more opportunities to send their sons and daughters to college and helps authorize the student loan programs that help them graduate and achieve their educational goals. It is an investment in America.”
The Higher Education Act was first enacted in 1965, with the last reauthorization occurring in 1998. Over four years of work went into this mammoth law, which authorizes most federal student aid programs and contains numerous regulations that apply to colleges and universities.
Although this bill represents a compromise and is not perfect, Hatch noted, it strengthens higher education programs and expands access to higher education for millions of Americans.
Among other key provisions, the bill:
• Requires greater disclosure of college tuition, fees and textbook costs.
• Provides easily accessible information about college tuition and fees.
• Simplifies the financial aid application process.
• Establishes codes of conduct prohibiting financial aid employees from receiving gifts in exchange for advantages sought by lenders.
• Authorizes year-round Pell grants and increases amounts from $6,000 in 2009 to $8,000 in 2014.
• Provides in-state tuition for members of the Armed Forces and their dependents who have lived in a state for more than 30 days.
• Requires institutions have publicly disclosed transfer of credit policies.
• Consolidates existing state grants to improve teacher training and professional development.
• Provides partnerships for youth engaged in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields.
• Improves TRIO and GEAR UP programs.
• Requires institutions develop procedures for campus safety.
• Provides for the successful transition of students with disabilities from secondary to post-secondary education with increased accessibility for learning.
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