Congressman Lincoln Davis Votes to Expand Access to College Education February 7, 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. -Today, Congressman Lincoln Davis cast his vote for H.R. 4137, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007. This legislation encourages colleges to rein in the price of tuition, restores integrity and accountability to the student loan programs, and generally takes steps to make a college education attainable for more Americans.

"Any young American with the drive and talent to go college should be able to see that their hard work comes to fruition," said Congressman Davis. "I am especially proud of this legislation's components that make badly needed grants and resources available to rural school systems across the country."

The College Opportunity and Affordability Act responds to rural challenges by providing grants to increase college enrollment for rural high school graduates, create employment pipelines from higher education institutions to the workforce, and provide training for professions of need in rural areas. In addition, the bill provides incentives to Colleges of Education to add a rural focus to their curriculum and foster professional development for students, current teachers or principals to serve as school administrators in rural areas.

In addition, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act:

• Streamlines the federal student financial aid application process
• Allows students to receive year-round Pell Grant scholarships
• Increases college aid and support programs for veterans and military families
• Improves safety on college campuses and help schools recover and rebuild after a disaster
• Strengthens our nation's workforce and economic competitiveness by boosting science, technology, and foreign language educational opportunities.

This legislation comes on the heels of a bill passed into law earlier this year that provides a $20 billion increase in college financial aid over the next five years, the largest increase in student aid since the G.I. Bill of 1944.