Financial Help for College

Dear Friend,

As an advocate of making higher education more affordable, most notably through the establishment of the Tennessee Lottery, I wanted to remind students that the Federal Student Aid Information Center operates a toll-free hotline to provide information about federal student aid programs.

FAFSA
TN Healthcare Exchange
Whitehaven High School Football Banquet
Fiscal Cliff and Medicare
TN Air National Guard Base
Office Move
Bill Day Cartoon
Congressional Calendars
Grant Announcements

FAFSA

As an advocate of making higher education more affordable, most notably through the establishment of the Tennessee Lottery, I wanted to remind students that the Federal Student Aid Information Center operates a toll-free hotline to provide information about federal student aid programs; help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form; help making corrections to a student’s aid report (SAR); providing information about the process of determining financial need and awarding aid; as well as providing information about federal student loans.  The Information Center can be reached at 800-433-3243 and through Studentaid.ed.gov.  Students are encouraged to file their FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1st of their senior year in high school.  Returning students and nontraditional students should file their FAFSA after January 1st of the year they plan to enroll in college.  That number again is 800-433-3243.

Also, eligible borrowers of federal student loans will be able to enroll in President Obama’s “Pay as You Earn” program starting on December 21.  The new income-based repayment plan caps monthly loan payments at 10 percent of a borrower’s discretionary income. After 20 years of payments, the government will forgive the loans. Now the Education Department’s income-based repayment program caps monthly loan payments at 15 percent of discretionary income, with loan forgiveness after 25 years. The program will accept enrollees who were new borrowers after October 1, 2007, and who also took out a loan on or after October 1, 2011. Click here to learn more.

TN Healthcare Exchange 
On Monday I released a statement in response to Governor Bill Haslam’s decision not to operate a state-based healthcare exchange under the federal Affordable Care Act.  An integral part of the Affordable Care Act includes the creation of health care exchanges to establish a marketplace for the purchase of affordable health insurance plans.  States were meant to tailor their specific needs to a state-based exchange, but those who opt out will be obligated to have the federal government run an exchange for them.

I am deeply disappointed by Governor Haslam’s decision not to pursue and operate a state-based healthcare exchange.  It is obvious politics played a substantial part in the Governor’s decision. That is obvious from the reference he made to opposing the President’s election and his being disappointed in the Supreme Court’s decision upholding the Affordable Care Act. By vetoing this measure, Governor Haslam has surrendered the chance for Tennessee to establish an exchange program tailored to Tennessee’s specific needs. Click here to see my full statement.

Whitehaven High School Football Banquet

Last night I attended the Whitehaven High School Tigers football banquet at the Memphis Airport Hotel and presented the coach and student athletes with a proclamation commending them for their extraordinary season and winning their first Division 1 State Championship. We are very proud of the team, the school, and the Whitehaven community.

Fiscal Cliff and Medicare

On Wednesday I spoke on the House floor about the fiscal cliff negotiations and my opposition to any plans to increase the age for Medicare recipients. Click here to see my remarks.

TN Air National Guard Base 
Last Friday the Tennessee Air National Guard dedicated a $7.3 million civil engineering building that completes the 164th Airlift Wing’s base at the southeast corner of Memphis International Airport.  I was on hand to help with the dedication and discussed how important it is to invest in military personnel and eliminate pricey defense projects geared more toward benefiting contractors than national defense.

Office Move

This week my D.C. office moved to the Rayburn House Office Building – Room 2404. The number for my D.C. office remains the same. That number is 202.225.3265. The photo above includes some of the gentlemen who helped us move.  

Bill Day Cartoon

Last week Republicans failed to ratify a United Nations treaty modeled after the Americans With Disabilities Act.  The treaty specifically asked other nations to catch up to the American example in how it treats people with disabilities.  Former Republican Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole -- a World War II hero and disabled veteran -- was in the Senate chamber to encourage his GOP colleagues to approve the treaty. It’s disheartening to see the GOP continue to place politics ahead of doing what is right. This Bill Day editorial cartoon is spot on with its message.

Congressional Calendars
There are a limited number of 2013 Congressional Calendars available through my office.  If you’d like to receive one of these free calendars, please click here to fill out a short form.  I have already received a number of requests from some who are not residents of District 9.  Due to the rules of the House, I am only able to mail calendars to residents of Tennessee’s 9th District.  Please feel free to share this email with other constituents who may be interested in receiving a calendar.

Grant Announcements
I regularly release a list of grant announcements from federal agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Transportation, and others.  These federal funding opportunities are available to faith-based and neighborhood associations, nonprofits and other community organizations in the 9th district. The announcements are updated regularly on my website. 
 
Wishing you a happy and safe weekend,

As always, I remain,

Most sincerely,

Steve Cohen
Member of Congress