“This legislation is intended to give our young men and women who so courageously are defending American ideals through active military service, a little financial relief while they are gone,” said Johnson.  “The HEROES Act allows reservists leaving their job and family relief from making student loan payments, borrowers and their families relief from receiving collection calls from lenders, and consecutive service requirements for loan forgiveness programs may be considered uninterrupted.”

The House of Representatives passed the HEROES Act on Monday night by an overwhelming margin of 421-1.  The Congress, in effect, is giving the U.S. Secretary of Education authority to provide necessary relief to people affected by recent military mobilization.  It helps college students called to active duty, military personnel who have been relocated, and it will remain in effect for the next two-and-a-half years to allow for protection of students and borrowers who may soon be called to active duty, but have not yet learned their orders.

“This legislation is similar to action the House took after the September 11th tragedy,” said Johnson.  “The Secretary of Education needs this authority to act quickly and protect the interests of our students, our institutions of higher education and our student aid programs.  Once this bill is signed into law, students at Eastern Illinois University, Illinois State University, U of I, the community colleges and more will get financial protection with respect to higher education bills.”