The best part: there is no cost to taxpayers.

This is the single largest investment in college financial aid since the 1944 GI Bill. This will make need-based student loans more accessible and provide additional funding for the Pell Grant scholarship. The benefits will be far-reaching, adding at least $1,090 to the Pell Grant over the next five years.

The bill will also cut interest rates on subsidized student loans in half.

"This is a five-year program that will cut interest rates from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent. I believe it's terribly important for people to have the availability to get an education," Hare said.

The bill will save a four-year college student $4,510 over the life of a loan for students beginning their school year in 2011.

Hare said he believes that other congressmen do not understand that there is a need for quality employment in rural areas. He said it is just as important for a nurse, teacher, fire fighter or other vital occupation employees to be given the best job opportunities in rural areas as in cities.

One of the provisions of the bill is a five-year forgiveness plan for graduates who are employed in vital public service jobs. After five years of service, their loan will be forgiven.

"By then, they've become a part of the community and the odds of staying is increased," Hare said. He commented on the people he has met in Macomb, Canton and surrounding areas who want to stay in their communities without having to relocate.

"The other option is to do nothing. We want to try and make it so they can stay in rural areas," Hare said. "We will see this bill next congress." He added: "This has received a lot of republican votes."

Hare introduced Western graduate and student representative to the Board of Trustees, Jessie Kallman. She wrote to Congressman Hare a year ago and he immediately started the bill in motion.

"Last year I voted against fee increases [as a Student Government Association officer]. I wrote to Congressman Hare instead. I told him it was dividing students."

Concerned about continued fee increases and standing up for WIU students, Kallman saw the bill as a way to increase the competitiveness in education and employment after graduation.

She pointed out the many other fees that students acquire, including but not limited to textbook costs, room and board, travel and food expenses. "Fees are rising six percent per year," Kallman said, "that's double the pace of inflation since the 1980s."

"Education is talked about, but no money is put into it. You need money to back up the talk," Hare said, also adding that $1 billion was given back to the Treasury on this bill that was not needed-something Congress rarely sees.

The bill is a win-win situation: money saved for students, taxpayers and Congress.