Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Daniel K. Akaka and Daniel K. Inouye today praised the Senate passage of the College Opportunity and Affordability Act (H.R. 4137) by a vote of 83-8-1.  The conference bill now heads back to the House.

Senator Akaka said: "This bill will help students and their families by simplifying the federal loan process, boosting grants to students who need them most, and increasing regulatory authority to protect families from predatory student loan lenders.  It recognizes the service of our troops by deferring their loans while on active duty and helping them return to college after their service.  It pays tribute by providing new scholarships for the children and family of service members who have died since 9/11.  It will further enhance opportunities for Native Hawaiians as they pursue higher education and work to contribute to their communities."  Senator Akaka is Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee and a senior member of the Armed Services Committee.   

U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye said: "This bill is especially important for Hawaii and Native Hawaiians.  Not only does it make a college education more accessible for all Americans, it also expands educational opportunities for Native Hawaiians, who historically have found those opportunities limited.  The legislation authorizes the development and expansion of science and math programs designed to meet the needs of Native Hawaiians, and also states unequivocally that Native Hawaiians and other Pacific islanders are eligible for the federally funded McNair scholars program.  I am especially proud that the bill creates a Native Hawaiian archive named after the late Henry Giugni, who was my longtime friend and senior aide, and a role model for Native Hawaiians.  I applaud Senator Akaka for his tireless work that ensured passage of this crucial piece of legislation."

The bill includes several provisions which will specifically benefit students in Hawaii:

• The creation of the Henry Kuualoha Giugni Kupuna Memorial Archives at the University of Hawaii as a repository for Native Hawaiian historical artifacts
• The expansion of authorized grant programs for Native Hawaiian Institutions to include education designed to improve financial literacy.
• Language that will ensure that Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders are eligible for the federally-funded McNair scholars program.
• Development and expansion of programs to improve Science, Technology, and Mathematics Education specifically focused on the meeting the educational and cultural needs of Native Hawaiian students.

The bill includes several provisions which will make higher education more accessible for troops and their families by:

• Allowing service members to defer their payments, interest free, on Federal Direct Loans while they are on active duty.
• Making re-enrollment easier for service members who left college to join the military.
• Providing new scholarships for the children and family members of service members who have died in the since 9/11.
• Providing in-state tuition for members of the military and their dependents who have lived in a state for more than 30 days.

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