“Senator Pell was an exemplary public servant and a true champion for students and young Americans. His vision of a college education for every American transformed our financial aid system and paved the way for millions of students to achieve their dreams. His strength, wit, and unyielding determination led to the creation of what we now aptly call Pell Grant scholarships – grants that have helped make college more affordable and accessible for countless low- and moderate-income students and their families. Senator Pell will be fondly remembered and very sorely missed. In this next Congress, we will honor Senator Pell’s legacy by working to ensure that all students have the opportunity to obtain a college degree.”

For more information about Pell Grants and key legislation regarding higher education passed in the 110th Congress, click here.

“For months now, while federal student loans have remained readily available due to swift and prudent action by Congress and the administration, some students and families have had trouble accessing the additional loans they need to help pay for college. Loans are a critical part of ensuring that students can get a college education and succeed in our 21^st century global economy.  We can’t allow students’ dreams of going to college to be sidelined by the economic crisis"

“We hope that this new program will work as intended: To get credit markets flowing again and make loans more accessible and affordable for students and families. We look forward to learning more details about this proposal so we can be assured that it will operate in the best interests of America's college students, their families and taxpayers.”

Miller is the author of two laws that helped safeguard federal student loans from turmoil in the economy at no cost to taxpayers. Since the enactment of these laws, no student or parent has reported trouble accessing the federal student loans for which they are eligible. For more information, click here.

Miller is also the author of a recently enacted law, the Higher Education Opportunity Act, which provides new protections for students when borrowing private educational loans, including safeguards against deceptive marketing practices, requiring private student loan certification, and prohibiting lenders from penalizing borrowers for paying off their private loans early. For more information, click here.