July 13, 2007

Congressman Gregory W. Meeks Applauds the Passing of the
College Cost Reduction Act Of 2007

(WASHINGTON, DC)–Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY) of the Sixth Congressional District, today voted in favor of the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007 (H.R. 2669). The College Cost Reduction Act will increase the maximum Pell Grant by almost $500 and cut student loan rates in half over the next five years in order to make college more affordable. This legislation, which provides the single largest investment in higher education since the GI bill, is intended to help low and middle-income students and families pay for college. The bill also includes $750 million in federal deficit reduction.

"H.R. 2669 is a true investment in young adults and in our country," stated Meeks. "Providing much needed grants to students across the nation reduces the amount students have to borrow. This opens the doors of our colleges and universities to middle and low-income students. Above all, this will help create a well-educated workforce that will help America to be competitive in the global economy." Meeks added, "With tuition at four-year universities continuing to increase at an astonishing rate it is imperative that we support students as much as possible."

The act also includes a new designation for educational institutions that are predominantly Black. These institutions are not Historically Black Colleges or Universities but schools that have at least 40 percent African-American student enrollment, including institutions like York College/City University of New York (CUNY) located in the heart of Rep. Meeks' Sixth Congressional District. Predominantly Black Institutions would be eligible to receive $30 million in aid over five years for programs in the fields of science, technology, engineering, health, teacher education, as well as programs geared towards improving the educational outcomes of African-American males.

H.R. 2669 passed in the house with 273 to 149 in favor of the bill. The Senate is expected to vote on this bill later this month.

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