Norton and Davis Reintroduce D.C. Tuition Program Significantly Expanding College Opportunities for District Students

Norton and Davis Reintroduce D.C. Tuition Program Significantly Expanding College Opportunities for District Students

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced with Oversight and Government Reform Committee Ranking Member Tom Davis (R-VA) and D.C. subcommittee Chairman Danny K. Davis (D-IL) the D.C. College Access Act of 2007, a bill to reauthorize the popular D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant Program (TAG) for another five years. The program expires at the end of this year. Getting the bill passed is one of Norton's top five priorities because of its proven benefits to District of Columbia students and families. One of the few bright spots in education for the District, TAG has increased college attendance by 60 percent over five years.

There has been bipartisan support for TAG since it was created in 1999, and earlier this month, the President included $35 million for TAG in his FY 08 budget request, $2 million more than current funding. The Congresswoman thanked Bush for increasing funding for the program year after year during a White House meeting yesterday with members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

TAG gives D.C. students up to $10,000 annually to attend any U.S. public college or university at low in-state tuition rates, or receive $2,500 annually to attend private institutions in the city and region.

Norton tried to get a head-start and have the program reauthorized last year, but could not. An issue developed in the Senate that was under discussion last year, but Norton said she believes it has been dealt with and expects passage of the bill this year, giving another "vote of confidence in the educational future of D.C. students" for five more years.

http://www.norton.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=504&Itemid=0