Jan 30, 2024 10:49 PM EST By Joy Liwanag, UniversityHerald Reporter

In a bold move aimed at addressing the rising costs of higher education and improving outcomes for students, House Democrats have unveiled their comprehensive vision for the future of higher education.

The "Roadmap to College Student Success" proposes a series of seven bills that seek to make community college free, double the Pell Grant, combat food insecurity among postsecondary students, and enhance overall support for learners.

Affordable Pathways: Making Community College Accessible

Led by Virginia representative Bobby Scott, the top Democrat on the House Education and Workforce Committee, the Democrats' plan directly challenges the Republicans' higher education overhaul, emphasizing a commitment to ensuring students have the resources they need for success rather than focusing solely on saving taxpayer money.

Key components of the Democrats' roadmap include the expansion of the Pell Grant to cover graduate programs, a move that acknowledges the changing landscape of higher education and the increasing importance of advanced degrees in the workforce. Additionally, the proposal seeks to protect students' ability to choose their preferred type of education, whether pursuing a liberal arts degree or opting for a shorter-term workforce development program.

One of the standout features of the plan is the ambition to make community college tuition-free for two years, a significant step towards democratizing access to higher education. This initiative aligns with the Biden administration's emphasis on community colleges as key drivers of workforce development and pathways to economic mobility.

The Democrats' roadmap also addresses food insecurity among postsecondary students by requiring institutions to inform eligible students about federal food assistance programs. Recognizing the diverse needs of the student population, the plan aims to improve federal higher education data systems and provide better support for students with disabilities.

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Pell Grant Expansion: Investing in Students' Futures

While the roadmap is unlikely to gain traction in the current Republican-controlled House, it offers a glimpse into the Democratic Party's priorities for higher education reform, especially as the 2024 election cycle begins to take shape. The proposal builds upon consumer protections implemented by the Biden administration, including rules holding career education programs accountable for leaving students burdened with unaffordable debt or low earnings.

Despite the political hurdles, Democrats emphasize the importance of their vision in contrast to the Republican-sponsored College Cost Reduction Act. The latter proposes risk-sharing policies that would hold colleges accountable for unpaid student loans, a move Democrats argue could disproportionately affect public institutions serving a high percentage of low-income students.

Oregon representative Suzanne Bonamici, a Democrat on the committee and sponsor of several bills within the roadmap, highlighted the plan's recognition of the value of higher education as a sound investment. She expressed concern about provisions in the Republican-sponsored legislation that could roll back consumer protections and eliminate certain loan programs, arguing that the focus should be on making college education more accessible, not harder and more expensive.

The Democrats' proposal also includes the America's College Promise Act, which, if enacted, would waive two years of tuition and fees for eligible students at tribal colleges and universities, historically Black colleges and universities, and other minority-serving institutions. This aims to address disparities in educational access and opportunity.

Student-Centric Policies: Protecting Choice and Enhancing Support

Central to the roadmap is the Lowering Obstacles to Achievement Now (LOAN) Act, a response to the student debt crisis. This act seeks to increase the maximum Pell Grant award from $7,395 to $14,000 over the next five years. Representative Scott emphasized the decreasing purchasing power of the Pell Grant over the years, stating that it currently covers less than a third of the cost of tuition at state colleges, compared to 80 percent in the early 1970s.

President Biden's commitment to doubling the Pell Grant by 2029 aligns with the Democrats' agenda, although Republican lawmakers argue that such a measure would be costly and potentially lead colleges to raise prices. The LOAN Act also addresses federal student loans, proposing a cap on interest rates at 5 percent and making changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program to ease access to targeted relief.

In the face of these proposed changes, higher education institutions, nonprofits, and advocacy groups have long sought to double the Pell Grant, seeing it as a crucial step in making college more attainable for low-income students. While political hurdles may stand in the way, the Democrats' roadmap signals a commitment to reshaping higher education to better serve the needs of students and society at large.

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