Sunday, September 23, 2007

TUITION SENSITIVITY ELIMINATED

The Congress has just passed, and the President has indicated that he will sign, the Higher Education Act budget "reconciliation" legislation that will at long last eliminate Pell Grant tuition sensitivity. Tuition sensitivity has limited the maximum Pell grant received by the neediest California Community College students, because of the low fees they are charged.

Particular California legislators who deserve thanks for the removal of tuition sensitivity include Education and Labor Committee chairman George Miller (D-Richmond) and member Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (R-Santa Clarita). Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) also introduced legislation to the Senate to repeal tuition sensitivity (S. 707). We urge you to let your legislators know that you appreciate this action, as well as the increase in Pell Grants also contained in the legislation. Further information on this far-reaching legislation, H.R. 2669, can be found on the American Association of Community Colleges website.