Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Conference Report on H.R. 4137, the Higher Education Opportunity Act, which will reauthorize the Higher Education Act through Fiscal Year 2012.  This is the first time in almost a decade that this bill has been reauthorized, and I am proud to be part of a Congress that has placed such a high priority on making college a reality for all of our nation’s students.  This bill builds on legislation that passed last year to help lower college costs and boost federal loan support for our students.  Given the state of our economy, it is imperative that we invest in our education system to promote new employment and ensure that today’s students can adapt to the jobs of tomorrow.

Two of the main goals of the Higher Education Opportunity Act are to make a college education accessible to all students and to lower college costs for those students and their families.  I am pleased that this bill increases the maximum amount of Pell Grants, which help 5.5 million low-income and minority students attend college, from $5,800 to $8,000 by the 2014 academic year.  This measure also boosts funding for the TRIO program and the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program (GEAR UP), which provide college readiness and support for low-income and first-generation students.  H.R. 4137 ensures equal college opportunities for students with disabilities by creating the National Center for Information and Technical Support to improve college recruitment, retention, and completion of students with disabilities, and would also expand eligibility for Pell Grants for students with intellectual disabilities. 

H.R. 4137 also establishes a user-friendly website to provide students and families with helpful information about college pricing, and will streamline the cumbersome filing process for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Families will now be able to receive estimates of their expected contribution and the amount of financial aid they may receive.  H.R. 4137 requires higher education institutions and student loan providers to give borrowers fair and full information on their loan terms and repayment options, as well as promote financial literacy and education for students and families. 

One of the goals of the 110th Congress is to create a new generation of innovators so that we continue to build an educated, skilled workforce in the vital areas of science, math, engineering and information technology.  To maintain our international competitiveness and economic advantage in the coming years, our nation must invest more in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.  That is why I am pleased that H.R. 4137 includes many new initiatives and increases STEM funding.  These new programs include grants for colleges and universities to provide incentives for students in STEM majors to teach in these academic areas; the YES Partnership Grant Program, which provides funding to eligible colleges to support minority youth engagement in STEM fields through outreach and hands-on experiential learning; and the Robert C. Byrd Mathematics and Science Honors Scholarship Program, which focuses on encouraging students to earn degrees in math and science.

H.R. 4137 increases college aid and support for our veterans and military families by requiring colleges and universities to treat students returning from military service as continuously enrolled students and preventing active duty servicemembers from accruing interest on student loans for the duration of their activation.  The measure also encourages those students who commit to a job in high-need areas and public service for at least five years by establishing a $10,000 loan forgiveness program for nurses, early childhood educators, foreign language specialists, child welfare workers, school counselors, public sector employees, medical specialists, and mental health professionals.  This measure further addresses the shortage of nursing faculty by establishing competitive grants to fund scholarships for nurses studying for advanced degrees with the intention of becoming faculty.

In recent years, our country’s college and university campuses have seen terrible tragedies.  H.R 4137 will boost campus safety by helping all colleges develop and implement state of the art emergency systems and campus safety plans, and will also create a National Center for Campus Safety at the Department of Justice.  Administrators and students on campuses across the country have also pushed for environmental, or “green,” initiatives, and this measure supports these efforts by providing funding for environmental sustainability programs. 

Madam Speaker, H.R 4137 shows that Congress is committed to the success of our students, and we will work to make sure that they can pursue their dreams without the burdens of unnecessary costs and debt.  While we may find ourselves facing hard economic decisions, we must empower the next generation with the necessary tools and invest in their education.  The College Opportunity and Affordability Act will set a blueprint for the future, and I encourage all my colleagues to vote for this bill.