Gordon Votes to Address Skyrocketing College Costs

Press Release

Gordon Votes To Address Skyrocketing College Costs

U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon voted for bipartisan legislation that would address the soaring cost of college tuition and remove other obstacles that prevent qualified students from going to college.

"Tennessee students shouldn't be priced out of a college diploma, but many students simply can't afford to get in the door," said Gordon. "In today's competitive global economy, access to higher education is critical to ensuring our nation has a highly skilled workforce."

The U.S. House of Representatives approved the Higher Education Opportunity Act today (July 31) to reform and strengthen the nation's higher education programs to ensure they operate in the best interests of students and families. The legislation now goes to the Senate for consideration.

The bill would address rising costs by encouraging colleges to rein in price increases, providing students and families with consumer friendly information on college pricing and the factors driving tuition increases, and streamlining the federal student financial aid application process.

An October 2007 report from the College Board showed that, over the previous five years, tuition and fees had increased across the board, at public and private colleges and at two-year and four-year colleges. In Tennessee, tuition and fees at public four-year colleges increased by $400 between the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 school years.

The Higher Education Opportunity Act also strengthens provisions previously approved by the House to avoid conflicts of interest in the student loan programs. The bill's new provisions include requiring better consumer disclosures and protections on private student loans.

In addition, the bill would:

* Make textbook costs more manageable for students by, among other things, helping them plan for textbook expenses in advance of each semester;

* Allow students to receive year-round Pell Grant scholarships;

* Strengthen college readiness and support programs for minority and low-income students;

* Increase college aid and support programs for veterans and military families;

* Improve safety on college campuses and help schools recover and rebuild after a disaster; and

* Strengthen the United States' workforce and economic competitiveness by boosting science, technology and foreign language educational opportunities.

The legislation builds on a law enacted last year that provides a $20 billion increase in college financial aid over the next five years - the largest increase since the 1944 G.I. Bill.

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