Rep. Lloyd Doggett Introduces Bill to Help Working Families Afford College

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, introduced today the Expand American Educational Opportunity Act, which would help working families pay for college. This legislation is part of a tax package to support the middle class that also included Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard Neal's legislation to expand the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro's legislation to expand the Child Tax Credit.

"Removing financial barriers to higher education enables students to fulfill their full God-given potential, climb the ladder to success, and to strengthen our economic competitiveness," said Tax Policy Subcommittee Ranking Member Lloyd Doggett. "This legislation would strengthen and simplify the education credit, which already helps millions to pay for college. Better coordinating the credit with Pell Grants will provide greater support for those who need it most."

Background

Since its 2009 enactment, the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) has helped millions of students and working families pay for college. With bipartisan support, it was made permanent in 2015. This legislation would provide support to those who most need it by increasing the portion of the credit that is refundable, and allowing Pell Grant recipients to get its full benefit. It would also simplify the credit by eliminating the need for two separate higher education credits, while increasing the credit's lifetime maximum limit.

The bill's endorsers include: American Association of Community Colleges, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, American Council on Education, Association of American Universities, Association of Community College Trustees, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, Council for Opportunity in Education, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, NASPA -- Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, National Association of College and University Business Officers, and National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.

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