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| August 12, 2003 |
VOL. 1, NO. 9 |
Bill Aimed at Simplifying Financial Aid Process Introduced On July 25, a bi-partisan group led by House 21st Century Competitiveness Subcommittee Chairman Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (R-CA) and Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) introduced the Financial Aid Simplification Act (HR 2956). The bill seeks to simplify the federal financial aid process through examination and possible revision of the needs analysis model in the Higher Education Act and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) form. It also would increase dissemination of information regarding Pell Grant eligibility. More» (House Education and Workforce Committee) Hatch Bill Would Permit In-State Tuition for Some Undocumented Aliens On July 31, Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) introduced the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors, or "DREAM" Act, a new version of legislation he introduced in the last Congress. The bill (S 1545), co-sponsored by a bi-partisan group of 15 Senators, would repeal a provision of federal law that effectively prevents states from granting in-state tuition and other post-secondary benefits to undocumented aliens. A similar measure, HR 1684, has been introduced in the House. According to CQ Today, the measure is expected to fare well in the Senate, but faces tougher sledding in the House. More» (U.S. Senate) Bill to Ease Higher Ed Financial Burdens on Troops Sent to President On July 31, the Senate passed and sent to the President HR 1412, the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students (HEROES) Act. The bill allows the U.S. Secretary of Education to excuse military personnel from their federal student loan obligations while they are on active duty. Additionally, the bill asks postsecondary institutions to provide a full refund of tuition and fees to students for the period they were not able to complete because of their service, and minimizes requirements for reapplication, making it easier for military personnel to reenter their postsecondary education when they return from active duty. More» (House Education and Workforce Committee) FY 04 Education Appropriations on Front Burner Next Month When the Senate returns to work during the first week of September, among its first orders of business will be consideration of S 1356, the Senate’s education funding measure for the new fiscal year that begins on October 1. Under the Senate's ceiling on fiscal 2004 discretionary spending, the bill would provide $137.6 billion, or $445 million less than the version passed by the House (HR 2660) and $389 million less than President Bush requested. Debate on the bill will likely be protracted and contentious, with numerous amendments on education funding on tap, plus an anticipated fight over a proposed Labor Department rule on overtime compensation. More» CSU Highlighted in Education Department Report on Teacher Quality The Secretary of Education recently released a report entitled "Meeting the Highly Qualified Teacher Challenge: The Secretary's Second Annual Report on Teacher Quality, 2003." The report, required under Title II of the Higher Education Act, stresses raising academic standards for teachers and lowering barriers to the teaching profession, and provides insight into the Department of Education's recommendations for the reauthorization of Title II of the Higher Education Act. The Report contains information on exemplary Alternative Route programs including California's Technology to Teachers Program, in which the Department of Education specifically mentions two CSU institutions - San Jose State University and California State University Monterey Bay. |