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