Hey Folks,

I figured I would get a GR update out to you before you head home for the
weekend!

Earlier this week COE reported that the House Education & Labor Committee
was planning to mark up the College Affordability Act this week. The
committee ended up passing it, reauthorizing the Higher Education Act, by a
party line vote of 28 to 22. This is the first reauthorization in ten
years. This bill does a few things that are listed below:

   - Expand Pell Grants
   - Make changes to the Federal Work Study program
   - Direct more aid to minority-serving institutions
   - Emphasize campus safety
   - Set new requirements on for-profit colleges

Bobby Scott (Chairman of the E&LC) called it a "downpayment" on tuition
free college but believes it is modest enough to be passed by the
Republican held Senate and White House. The estimated cost for this would
be $400 billion over the next ten years. It is likely to pass in the
Democrat-led House but unlikely to be considered in the Senate.

Senator Lamar Alexander has introduced his own version of HEAR
reauthorization: Student Aid Improvement Act.

Also, in case anyone hasn't seen today, the SSS, EOC, and TS APRs have
opened and will close on December 6, 2019.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Happy November!

Best,

Eric

-- 
*Eric Pratt*
Pronouns: He|Him|His

Academic Counselor
MEEOA Government Relations Chair
Upward Bound | University of Maine at Farmington
252 Main Street
Farmington, ME 04938
C: 207.314.5499 | W: 207.778.7279
Toll Free: 1.888.237.1667
www.upwardbound.umf.maine.edu