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Washington, D.C.- Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) joined Representatives John Tierney and George Miller (D-CA) today to introduce the College Affordability and Accountability Act, which will help ease the cost of college education and hold down tuition increases. The Democratic proposal contrasts with legislation recently introduced by House Republicans to place Federal price controls on college tuition.
“Our solution targets the real problem of rising tuition, rather than penalizing students that rely on financial aid. The Democratic plan makes college more accessible and affordable for every student by providing colleges with incentives to hold down costs and ensuring that States maintain their level of spending on higher education,” said Kildee. “In contrast, the Republican bill would actually increase what students pay for college by driving colleges and universities to reduce financial aid to needy students. The Republican proposal ensures that wealthy students can attend college, while shutting the doors of college opportunity for low and middle income students.”
The Democratic legislation attacks the problem of rising tuition by:
· Increasing States’ Commitment to Affordable College Education: States would be required to maintain their own level of college financing—to make a quality college education affordable to all students and stop tuition hikes.
· Providing Incentives to Control Rising Tuition: The Act would provide additional mandatory Pell Grant funds, or “Pell Plus Grants,” to schools that keep their annual net tuition increases at a rate equal to, or below, the Higher Education Price Index (HEPI).
· Putting Students and Families In Control: Colleges and universities would be required to make their tuition prices, room and board, and other related expenses easily accessible to the public, through their websites, college applications and in other print materials. It would establish a national online college price calculator, to allow students and parents to figure out the price of a particular college.
· Curbing College Costs: All colleges and universities would be required to implement and report on cost containment strategies as a means to keep tuition prices low. In addition, the Act commissions a national campaign to identify and implement best practices to stop rising tuition. |
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