[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 29, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E109]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION TO CHANGE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DAVE CAMP

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 29, 2003

  Mr. CAMP. Mr. Speaker, the passage of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 
represented a watershed event in the relationship between student 
support and tax policy. The Act's signature initiative, the Hope 
Scholarship Program, provides annual benefits to students and the 
families rivaling the support provided through Pell Grants and other 
long-standing forms of federal aid. However, many of the students who 
need help the most do not benefit from the Hope Scholarship Program.
  Today, Congressman Jim McGovern and I are reintroducing legislation 
that would address these shortcomings. Currently, the Hope tax credit 
can be used for only tuition and related expenses when college students 
must pay for much more than just tuition. Our legislation would allow 
Hope Scholarships to cover required fees, books, supplies and 
equipment, Additionally, a student's eligibility is currently reduced 
by any other grants they receive--federal, state or private. As a 
result, benefits have been limited primarily to middle and upper-middle 
income taxpayers and explain why less than one-fifth of all full-time 
students attending community colleges qualify for maximum Hope 
Scholarship benefits. Our legislation would ensure that any Pell Grants 
and Supplemental Educational Opportunity grants a student receives are 
not counted against the student's eligible expenses when the Hope 
Scholarship is computed.
  This legislation has bi-partisan cosponsors and support from numerous 
higher education organizations. I urge the House to bring up this 
legislation in the near future. I yield back the balance of my time.

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