First District Students and Colleges to Benefit Under H.R. 3221

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation Thursday to expand access to affordable college education, transform early education opportunities, and strengthen the nation’s community college system.  U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak voted in favor of H.R. 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, which passed the House 253 to 171.

“It is critical that every one of our young people has the opportunity to attend college or receive career training,” Stupak said.  “The funding in this bill will help provide vital support for the growing number of students applying for aid, nearly doubling the number of Pell grant recipients in Northern Michigan over the next 10 years.”

In addition to increasing the number of students receiving Pell Grants, H.R. 3221 authorizes an increase in the amount of the Pell Grant awards.  The First District will also be eligible to receive College Access Challenge Grants and funding to modernize and repair K-12 schools to create healthier, safer and more energy-efficient teaching and learning environments.

H.R. 3221 will be paid for by implementing reforms of the federal student loan system, such as switching to the less expensive Direct Loan program.  The Congressional Budget Office estimates these measures will save $87 billion dollars, which will then be invested back into education and to reducing entitlement spending. 

Because community colleges make up the largest part of the higher education system in the United States, H.R. 3221 will provide competitive grants to increase the effectiveness and impact of community colleges, raise graduation rates, modernize facilities, and create new online learning opportunities.  It will also streamline the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), removing questions that have little or no impact on aid eligibility.  This will directly benefit Northern Michigan where FAFSA applications are predicted to increase from nearly 30,000 in 2008 to 45,000 in 2013.

“This bill helps remove barriers to applying for financial aid to ensure individuals are not graduating from college only to find themselves buried in debt,” Stupak said.  “The strength of our nation depends on the quality of our education system.  This legislation is an investment in the future of our children as well as our nation’s economic future.”

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