[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 17, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S7983]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. KENNEDY (for himself, Mr. Daschle, Mr. Jeffords, Mr. 
        Edwards, Mr. Reed, Mrs. Clinton, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. 
        Dodd, and Mr. Harkin):
  S. 1273. A bill to provide for a study to ensure that students are 
not adversely affected by changes to the needs analysis tables, and to 
require the Secretary of Education to consult with the Advisory 
Committee on Student Financial Assistance regarding such changes; to 
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, it is a privilege to join my colleagues, 
Senator Daschle, Senator Jeffords, Senator Edwards, Senator Reed, 
Senator Clinton, Senator Murray, Senator Bingaman and Senator Dodd, to 
introduce legislation to amend the Higher Education Act to require a 
feasibility and impact study on the recent changes in the state and 
local tax tables that are the basis for determining need-based aid for 
college students.
  The bill will direct GAO to complete a study in consultation with the 
Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance within 90 days, well 
in advance of the 04-05 academic year when these changes would take 
effect. The advisory committee is a non-partisan board appointed by the 
President, which oversees college financial aid. Any future changes in 
the tables would have to be considered in consultation with the 
Advisory Committee.
  When decisions are made that affect the cost of college, it is 
important for Congress to understand the factors that influenced that 
decision and the practical impact of those decisions on students. In 
light of the slumping economy, State budget crises, and rising college 
costs, the Department's proposed changes come at a very difficult time 
for students and their families. Raising the cost of tuition by a few 
hundred dollars may well mean that qualified students can no longer 
afford college. It is our responsibility to see that any such changes 
are made for sound reasons.
  I also urge the Department of Education to work with Congress in the 
future in making these decisions, so that all of us in the House and 
Senate will have a reasonable opportunity to consider such changes 
before they are made.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1273

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. STUDY AND CONSULTATION.

       (a) Study.--In order to ensure that students are not 
     adversely affected by the proposed changes to the tables used 
     in the Federal Needs Analysis Methodology to determine a 
     student's expected family contribution for the award year 
     2004-2005 under part F of title IV of the Higher Education 
     Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087kk et seq.), the Comptroller 
     General, in consultation with the Advisory Committee on 
     Student Financial Assistance, shall conduct a study of such 
     proposed changes that shall include an examination of the 
     impact of such changes on students. A report of the findings 
     of the study shall be transmitted to the Secretary of 
     Education and the appropriate committees of Congress not 
     later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
       (b) Consultation.--Section 478 of the Higher Education Act 
     of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087rr) is amended by adding at the end 
     the following:
       ``(i) Consultation Required.--Prior to publishing any 
     notice or promulgating any regulation with respect to updated 
     tables under this section, the Secretary shall consult with 
     the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance 
     regarding such updated tables.''.
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