U.S. SENATE PASSES HIGHER EDUCATION BILL; SEN. MENENDEZ PRAISES IMPORTANCE OF LEGISLATION FOR LOW-INCO
Press Release
U.S. SENATE PASSES HIGHER EDUCATION BILL; SEN. MENENDEZ PRAISES IMPORTANCE OF LEGISLATION FOR LOW-INCO
U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today applauded the Senate's early morning passage of the Higher Education Access Act (H.R. 2669), which will make billions available in aid for low-income college students, including more than $51 million for students in New Jersey.
"Education is the key that unlocks social mobility and economic empowerment," said Menendez. "This bill begins to right the imbalance that has plagued student financial aid. For far too long students struggling to afford college have seen their grants shrink, their loan rates go up and their debt explode. Many thousands of hard-working college students in New Jersey and across the country will be able to get an education without facing a mountain of debt and unmanageable payments."
The legislation includes:
- a total of $17 billion for student aid,
- the first increase in the maximum Pell Grant for the neediest students in five years - to $5,100 next year and $5,400 beyond that,
- a raise in the family income automatic eligibility limit for students seeking Pell Grants from $20,000 to $30,000, and
- loan forgiveness for those who work in public service jobs.
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