WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congresswoman Lois Capps applauded the passage of the College Opportunity and Affordability Act (H.R. 4137), bipartisan legislation to combat the rapidly rising cost of college tuition and remove other obstacles that make it difficult for students to pursue a college education.  The legislation passed with strong bipartisan support by a vote of 354 to 58.  The Senate passed similar legislation last year.

The legislation is the second major step that the new Democratic Congress has taken to make college more affordable and accessible for all qualified students. Last year, Congress enacted into law a $20 billion increase in college financial aid over the next five years, the largest increase in student aid since the G.I. Bill of 1944.

“I am so proud to be part of a Democratic Congress that values the importance of a college education and recognizes that we need to do more to make sure that a higher education is affordable and accessible for all students,” said Capps.  “For years students and their families have struggled to meet the rapidly rising costs of a higher education while federal student aid has remained virtually stagnant and insufficient to help cover these increased costs.  Additionally, students seeking financial aid faced cumbersome paperwork and confusing information on loans and college costs.  This legislation takes several important steps to address these concerns by significantly increasing need-based financial aid, simplifying the student aid application process, and requiring more transparency from colleges and lender institutions regarding tuition and loan costs.  The legislation also helps low-income and minority students by strengthening important outreach and college prep programs like GEAR UP and TRIO.”

An October 2007 report from the College Board showed that, over the previous five years, tuition and fees have increased across the board, at public and private colleges and at two-year and four-year colleges. In California, tuition and fees at public four year colleges grew by nine percent between 2006-07 and 2007-8. The bill would address these rising prices by encouraging colleges to rein in price increases, ensuring that states maintain their commitments to higher education funding, and providing students and families with consumer friendly information on college pricing and the factors driving tuition increases.

The legislation also strengthens provisions previously approved by the House to avoid conflicts of interest in the student loan programs. The bill’s new provisions include requiring better consumer disclosures and protections on private student loans.

In addition, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act would:

X      Streamline the federal student financial aid application process;

X      Make textbook costs more manageable for students by, among other things, helping them plan for textbook expenses in advance of each semester;

X      Allow students to receive year-round Pell Grant scholarships;

X      Strengthens college readiness and support programs for minority and low-income students by strengthening GEAR UP; TRIO, and HEP and CAMP and emphasizing financial literacy and early financial aid estimates.  Approximately half of all Hispanic college students are low income and the first in their families to attend college.

X      Increase college aid and support programs for veterans and military families;

X      Improve safety on college campuses and help schools recover and rebuild after a disaster;

X      Ensure equal college opportunities and fair learning environments for students with disabilities; and

X      Strengthen our nation’s workforce and economic competitiveness by boosting science, technology, and foreign language educational opportunities.

H.R. 4137 is a comprehensive reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, the primary federal law aimed at expanding college access for low- and middle-income students. The bill is supported by a broad coalition of students, colleges and universities, consumer rights advocacy groups, minority organizations, and more. To see a full list of supporters, click here.

For more information on the College Opportunity and Affordability Act, click here.

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Pictured above: (center) Congresswoman Capps meets with Central Coast firefighters to discuss emergency preparedness.