Share


U.S. Rep. Loebsack: Adds critical workforce development provisions, green schools funding into landmark student aid bill
9/18/2009

CONTACT: Sabrina Siddiqui

Sabrina.Siddiqui@mail.house.gov

202.226.6476, office

202.302.9769, cell



Invests Over $700 Million in Pell Grant Awards for Iowa Students, Nearly $20 Million to Repair and Modernize IowaSchools, and $31 Million Invested in Iowa Community Colleges

WASHINGTON DC – Today Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-IA) voted to make college more accessible, transform the way our student loan programs operate, modernize our schools, and strengthen our community colleges – all at no additional cost to taxpayers. Additionally, the Congressman’s green school initiatives as well as several components of his workforce development legislation were added into the final bill. The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA) is a major step forward in President Obama’s initiative to make sure America once again leads the world in college graduates by 2020.

“As a former educator, I am dedicated to making sure that each and every child has a pathway to success, and that each and every student has the ability to attain higher education,” said Congressman Loebsack. “This bill is the perfect example of American ingenuity – we took what worked in our federal student loan system and reformed what didn’t - creating taxpayer savings while making investments in our children’s future. I am also pleased that components of my workforce development initiatives and green schools provisions were included in the final bill.”

The bill reforms the system of federal student loans to save taxpayers $87 billion. By changing the way the student loan system functions, the bill creates savings for tax payers and ensures that our students have greater access to the aid that they need. Additionally, it increases the maximum Pell Grant from $5,350 in 2009 to $5,550 in 2010 and $6,900 in 2019 and keeps interest rates low on subsidized federal student loans.

The Congressman was able to include several of his education initiatives in the bill, including his green schools initiatives and some of his sector partnership provisions encouraging greater collaboration between industry, colleges, and workers to strengthen workforce development. Congressman Loebsack has long been a proponent of community colleges and their work to connect students with both the workforce and with further education.

“This bill aims to take America back into the lead when it comes to a highly trained and skilled workforce,” said Congressman Loebsack. “The workforce development provisions will help connect community colleges to industry leaders – so that our students are receiving the most up-to-date and highly in demand skill sets and our businesses are getting new corps of workers equipped to meet their current needs. By bringing everyone together, these provisions can grow and save entire industries while empowering our workforce to advance into the 21st Century."

Additionally, the bill includes funding for energy efficiency modernization, renovation and repair projects. These provisions were taken directly from the Congressman’s 21stCenturyGreenHigh-PerformingPublic School Facilities Act.

“This bill includes the largest-ever investment in higher education, provides schools with the tools to make their classrooms top-notch learning environments, makes it easier for students and families to apply for student aid, and invests in early childhood education - all at no additional cost to taxpayers,” added Congressman Loebsack.

Below is a list of provisions in the bill, with Iowa specific numbers:

· Pell Grants: Over the next ten years, the bill invests more than $726.4 million in Iowa and $81.2 million in the Second District to increase the maximum annual Pell Grant scholarship.

· Simplification of FAFSA: This bill will revamp the federal student loan application, and make it easier for students and their families to apply for federal student aid. In the Second District alone, the applications are anticipated to increase from roughly 32,000 to a projected 47,000 in 2012-13.

· Energy Efficient Modernization and Repair: Iowa will receive more than $19.9 million over the next two years to turn our classrooms into top-notch learning environments. These provisions were taken directly from the Congressman’s 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act that he introduced with his colleagues Chairman George Miller, Congressman Dale Kildee, and Congressman Ben Chandler.

· Investments in Community Colleges: Iowa will receive nearly $31.4 million to help finance projects for community college facilities. These projects will help ensure that community college students can learn in modern, updated, state-of-the-art facilities by renovating campuses in need of repair.

· College Access Challenge Grants: This funding will result in at least $1 million a year for the next five years in Iowa and will also fund innovative programs in states and at institutions that focus on increasing financial literacy and helping retain and graduate students.

###




Printer-friendly version      Send this article to a friend      Share