(Washington, DC) - Congresswoman Corrine Brown made the following statement:

“I voted in strong support of the College Opportunity and Affordability Act (H.R. 4137), which passed the House floor today.  This legislation, which passed by an overwhelming bipartisan majority, will attempt to hold down costs at colleges by trying to discourage them from raising tuition.  It would also require the federal Education Department to publish a list of the most expensive colleges, as well as cut down on states’ eligibility for new federal grants if the states decreased funding for public colleges.

Today’s bill, when it clears the Senate, will reform and strengthen the nation’s higher education programs to ensure that they operate in the best interests of students and families. The legislation is the second major step that Congress, under a Democratic majority, has taken to make college more affordable and accessible for all qualified students.  Last year in fact, Congress enacted into law 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.

The bill would also address rising prices at colleges and universities by encouraging colleges to rein in price increases, and ensure that states maintain their commitments to higher education funding.  It also requires colleges and universities to provide students and families with consumer friendly information on college pricing and the factors driving tuition increases.

One other section I am very supportive of in this bill is the increase in Pell Grant funding, from $5,800 per year, to $9,000 per year.  At Florida Community College in my congressional district for example, nearly 25% of the students are Pell grant recipients, and would benefit tremendously from this bill.  I am also pleased that the bill has provisions for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s) and minority serving institutions, by expanding funding for graduate student programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and other minority serving schools.” 

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