Making College Affordable

Op-Ed

Fridays With Chris; Making College Affordable

Dear Friend,

In the next few weeks, millions of American students will be setting off to begin their college careers or returning for another semester. Unfortunately, the rising cost of college tuition and other obstacles have made obtaining a college degree increasingly difficult. The College Board reports that tuition has increased 33 percent at private, four-year schools in the last decade. At comparable public institutions, tuition has increased 54 percent. Students and families also face a complex and intimidating student aid application process and a struggling student loan industry. The Project on Student Debt estimates that graduating seniors from the class of 2006 carried an average debt of $19,646. These challenges place tremendous burdens on middle-class families.

Congressman Carney understands that college tuition is expensive. Passing the College Affordablility and Access Act will help make college a reality for many young Americans.

As the father of five children and a former college professor, I am committed to making college more affordable. Congress took an important step last week by passing H.R. 4137, the College Affordability and Access Act. The President is expected to sign this legislation into law.

This bipartisan legislation includes important reforms that will bring accountability and transparency to our higher education system. These reforms include provisions that will encourage colleges to rein in price increases and provide students and families with helpful information. This bill creates a user-friendly website that allows consumers to compare schools and establishes web-based calculators to help students and families estimate their college costs. Colleges must also report reasons for tuition increases and must provide students with information on textbook pricing.

The College Affordability and Access Act restores integrity and accountability to student loan programs by requiring institutions to adopt strict codes of conduct. Students must also be provided with fair and full information about their borrowing options and will be protected from aggressive marketing practices by lenders. In addition, this legislation simplifies and streamlines the federal student aid application process.

This legislation also makes college more affordable by allowing students to receive Pell Grant scholarship aid year round, strengthens the TRIO and GEAR UP college readiness and support programs, and increases college aid and support for veterans and military families.

It is vital that our students are provided with the tools and knowledge they need to compete in the 21st century economy. I will continue to work to expand access to a college education and to make college tuition more affordable.

Sincerely,

Christopher P. Carney
Member of Congress

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