Kline Helps Champion Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Higher Education

Statement

Minnesota Congressman John Kline helped champion the Higher Education Extension Act of 2015, which passed today in the U.S. House of Representatives. Introduced by Reps. Mike Bishop (R-Mich.) and Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), members of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, this bipartisan legislation (H.R. 3594) extends for one year the Perkins Loan Program that is set to expire on September 30, as well as other higher education provisions scheduled to sunset at the end of the month. The bipartisan proposal delivers certainty to students and institutions as policymakers continue work on the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act.

"Higher education can play a vital role in lifting people out of poverty and setting them on the pathway to success," said Kline, the Chairman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee. "That's why improving higher education remains one of our leading priorities. As we continue our broader effort to strengthen higher education, this bipartisan proposal will extend existing support for students and the colleges and universities that serve them. I want to thank Representatives Bishop and Pocan for leading this bipartisan effort."

HIGHER EDUCATION EXTENSION ACT OF 2015 (H.R. 3594):

Extends through Fiscal Year 2016 the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity and the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance;
Extends through Fiscal Year 2016 the Perkins Loan Program, allowing participating colleges and universities to continue serving new borrowers;
Reforms the Perkins Loan Program to ensure the legislation is fully paid for at no additional cost to taxpayers; and
Allows students who receive a Perkins loan during the 2015-2016 academic year and remain in the same academic program to be eligible to receive those funds through March 31, 2018.

Source