HOW DID YOUR KANSAS REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS VOTE?

The College Cost Reduction and Access Act (PL 110-84)

This bill was hailed as the largest federal investment in higher education since enactment of the GI Bill.

• It reduced payments to lenders and cut the interest rate on subsidized student loans in half—from 6.8% to 3.4% over a four-year period.


• The bill increased investments in grant aid for the neediest borrowers by increasing the Pell Grant maximum award.


• The new TEACH Grant program which helps prospective teachers pay for college and a new loan forgiveness program for public sector employees were created.

Higher Education Opportunity Act (PL 110-315)

• This law increase Pell Grant awards and Perkins loan limits, in an effort to help the neediest borrowers.


• The law also imposes new requirements on participants in the private student loan programs, to be sure that students and families are fairly treated while seeking these increasingly necessary funds.


• There are many new programs in this law, including several that foster access to higher education by providing counseling and other supports, including financial literacy education.