Ehlers’ provisions included in legislation

WASHINGTON – The House today voted 380-49 to renew the Higher Education Act, authorizing a variety of new initiatives to help make financial aid more widely available and to simplify the scholarship application process. Congressman Ehlers was a member of the House-Senate Conference Committee which negotiated the final version of the bill.

Key provisions of the bill include a broadening of the federal Pell Grant program, which provides financial aid to low-income students. The Pell Grant will increase to a maximum of $8,000 and students will be allowed to receive Pell Grant funds year-round. The bill also gives the Department of Education more authority over private student loans and requires colleges to create affordability and transparency lists.

“Higher education is vitally important for students entering the workforce and for the global competitiveness of this country,” said Congressman Ehlers. “This bill will ensure students have better access to higher education, and that they have received a high quality educational experience when they receive their degree. Now that a college degree is the bare minimum requirement for so many jobs, the need for better access is stronger than ever.”

A provision which closely tracks Congressman Ehlers’ Higher Education Sustainability Act was included in the bill. The competitive grant program, to be administered by the Department of Education, will award funds to colleges and universities to put in place programs such as recycling and energy conservation. It will enable these institutions to develop rigorous academic programs designed to prepare students to apply these principles in their future careers.

“I am pleased that environmental sustainability measures were included in the final version of the bill,” added Ehlers. “It will not only encourage institutions of higher education to implement environmentally friendly practices, but also instill students with sustainable concepts that will be applied in the lives of future generations.”