WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, today hailed the Obama administration for taking steps to expand access to college and other education and job training programs for workers who have lost their jobs. President Obama announced this effort as today’s April jobs report showed the U.S. economy lost 593,000 jobs last month and the unemployment rate shot to 8.9 percent.
“As we continue working to turn our economy around, we have to do everything we can to help the millions of Americans who have suffered job losses in this recession get the education, training and skills they need to return to the workforce. President Obama’s initiatives are commonsense steps that will make college and training programs more accessible and affordable for laid-off workers by allowing them to enroll in postsecondary education without forfeiting their unemployment benefits. In addition, it’s critical that he reminded financial aid officers that they can adjust financial aid packages based on recent layoffs, so families aren’t paying for college based on incomes they no longer earn.
“As we continue working to turn our economy around, we have to do everything we can to help the millions of Americans who have suffered job losses in this recession get the education, training and skills they need to return to the workforce. President Obama’s initiatives are commonsense steps that will make college and training programs more accessible and affordable for laid-off workers by allowing them to enroll in postsecondary education without forfeiting their unemployment benefits. In addition, it’s critical that he reminded financial aid officers that they can adjust financial aid packages based on recent layoffs, so families aren’t paying for college based on incomes they no longer earn.
“I also applaud President Obama, and Secretaries Duncan and Solis for
launching a new user-friendly website to help Americans understand and
take advantages of these various student aid benefits. Their proactive
leadership will open up new opportunities that will empower students
and workers to become part our nation’s recovery. I look forward to
working with them to continue making college more affordable and
getting our economy back on track.”
Currently, jobless Americans who receive unemployment benefits cannot keep those benefits if they go to college and receive federal financial aid. President Obama’s proposal will allow these workers to maintain those benefits if they enroll in college. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Congress increased the Pell Grant scholarship to $5,350 for the 2009-2010 school year – an increase of more than $600 its current level.
Under current law, financial aid offers are allowed to use unemployment benefits as proof that a family’s job status has changed, even if their financial aid forms list an old income level, and adjust their student aid award package accordingly.
For more information, visit www.opportunity.gov.
Currently, jobless Americans who receive unemployment benefits cannot keep those benefits if they go to college and receive federal financial aid. President Obama’s proposal will allow these workers to maintain those benefits if they enroll in college. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Congress increased the Pell Grant scholarship to $5,350 for the 2009-2010 school year – an increase of more than $600 its current level.
Under current law, financial aid offers are allowed to use unemployment benefits as proof that a family’s job status has changed, even if their financial aid forms list an old income level, and adjust their student aid award package accordingly.
For more information, visit www.opportunity.gov.
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