Wexler Votes for College Opportunity and Affordability Act
H.R. 4137

Ever increasing college tuition and other obstacles are putting a college degree further out of reach for many American students.  As the cost of college continues to rise, America’s students and families are depending more on loans to help pay for college.  Today’s students face a federal student loan program undermined by conflicts of interest, questionable lender practices, and aggressive marketing campaigns waged by private student lenders. For many students and families, the current process for applying for federal college loans can be utterly daunting.  

Today, Congressman Wexler voted for H.R. 4137, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act.  It provides students with comprehensive information on college pricing as well as about their borrowing options when taking out and repaying student loans. It also ensures that borrowers have access to the best loan possible and protects students from aggressive marketing practices by lenders.  It also ensures the creation of an easier application process for low-income families.

This important legislation encourages colleges to rein in price increases and ensures that states maintain higher education funding. It will expand college access and support for low-income and minority students and ensure equal college opportunities for students with disabilities. H.R. 4137 will strengthen our workforce and our competitiveness by creating programs to bolster students’ interest in science, technology and critical foreign languages.  It will also improve teacher training and development programs and focus on recruiting teachers into high demand science and technology fields.

H.R. 4137 will clean up conflicts of interest by requiring institutions and lenders to adopt strict codes of conduct as well as requiring institutions to fully disclose all relationships with lenders. Through these important provisions, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act will work to restore integrity and accountability to student loan programs and reform the United States higher education system so that it operates in the best interests of students and families.  

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