House Updates HEA with Passage of College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007

The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4137, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007, updating the Higher Education Act to make it more applicable to preparing a 21st Century Workforce.  The bill now goes to a House/Senate Conference Committee that will resolve differences between the bill that passed the Senate last year and the House passed version.  Thanks to the many CCA members who have been aggressively involved in helping us make our case to the House.

The House passed bill streamlines the federal student financial aid application to make it easier for all eligible students, especially from low-income households, to apply for financial aid.  It increases college aid and support programs for veterans and military families and extends Pell grants year round.  The bill also enhances teacher training and development programs and further strengthens our nation’s workforce and economic competitiveness by providing public service loan forgiveness to encourage and reward students who enter critically needed service fields.

H.R. 4137 also addresses many of the needs of career colleges by expanding the funds that can be counted towards the 10 percent non-Title IV revenue in the 90-10 formula calculation; moving the 90-10 formula to the Program Participation Agreement section, making it an issue of administrative capability rather than institutional eligibility; and by shining a light on the transfer of credit problem and indicating that Congress insists on full disclosure by colleges so that students and the taxpayers who fund their education do not continue to suffer from outdated practices.  CCA congratulates Chairman George Miller, Ranking Member Buck McKeon, and other members of the House Education and Labor Committee on both sides of the aisle for passing this important legislation. 

Although CCA was able to work out many satisfactory compromises on issues of importance to our sector, there is still much to be done as the bill moves into conference with the Senate, which we expect will begin soon.  The Senate and House bill differ on issues pertaining to 90-10, the cohort default rate calculation, and transfer of credit issues.  CCA will continue to work to ensure the best possible outcome on these issues and we ask for your continued cooperation in this effort.  Please plan on attending Hill Day, March 10-12.  Your presence on Capitol Hill and participation in CCA Hill Day will make the difference in our efforts.  CCA contact: Bruce Leftwich or Reba Raffaelli.