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Washington, D.C.- Congresman Dale E. Kildee, (D-MI) today expressed his extreme disappointment with legislation introduced by Congressman Buck McKeon (R-CA) that would establish federal price controls on tuition at institutions of higher education. Kildee is opposed to the bill because it would virtually eliminate workstudy and other institutional financial aid which students depend on to defer the costs of higher education.
“All of us are concerned about the rapid increases in tuition that have hit students in recent years,” said Kildee. “Unfortunately, this proposal is going to add to these problems by increasing what students actually pay for college by driving colleges and universities to reduce financial aid to needy students. While this proposal seeks to hold down the published price of tuition, it will have the opposite effect of denying the very aid students need to attend college - closing their opportunity for a college education.”
“This proposal coupled with massive budget cuts in every state will undoubtedly harm the quality of education at our colleges and universities,” said Kildee. “Unfortunately, the students will be expected to bear the burden of the tuition increases because the Bush administration has squandered the budget surplus and crippled every states ability to fund higher education. Instead, we should pass legislation that will make college more accessible and affordable for every student by providing colleges with incentives to hold down costs, without sacrificing the quality of education.”
The McKeon proposal would establish a system of federal price controls on tuition at institutions of higher education. Colleges and Universities which have tuition increases of more than 2 times the rate of inflation for a 3 year period would be subject to the loss of Federal aid under the Higher Education Act.
This legislation would be harmful to students seeking a college education by:
- Forcing Universities and Colleges to reduce costs by hiring adjunct faculty and increasing class size.
- Cutting off aid to Historically Black Colleges and Hispanic Serving Institutions that have to raise tuition due to state budget cuts and shrinking endowments.
- Reducing Institutional Aid to Needy Students – Universities forced with the choice between increasing tuition and reducing the amount of need-based aid provided to students, will choose to eliminate aid rather than face the penalties under this bill.
- Terminate Federal Workstudy and grant programs at universities who face increases in tuition – shutting off important income opportunities for students.
Congressman Kildee is second most senior Democratic Member on the U.S. House of Representatives, Education and the Workforce Committee. During the 108th Congress, Kildee is the top Democratic Member on the Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness, which oversees higher education and workplace training programs, including the Higher Education Act. The Higher Education Act is up for Congressional review this Congress. |
