[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 154 (Friday, November 18, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13369-S13370]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. VOINOVICH (for himself and Mr. Akaka):
  S. 2060. A bill to extend the District of Columbia College Access Act 
of 1999 and make certain improvements; to the Committee on Homeland 
Security and Governmental Affairs.
  Mr. VOINOVICH. Mr. President, today I rise to introduce legislation 
to reauthorize the District of Columbia Tuition Assistance Grant (D.C. 
TAG) program for five additional years. This program has had a 
tremendously beneficial impact on promoting higher education for high 
school graduates in our Nation's capital.
  The aim of this program is to assist District students, who do not 
have access to state-supported education systems, in attending college. 
D.C. TAG scholarships are used by District residents to pay the 
difference between in-State and out-of-State tuition at State 
universities nationwide, up to $10,000 per student per school year, 
with a cumulative cap of $50,000 per student. In addition, since March 
2002, District students attending private institutions in Maryland and 
Virginia, as well as Historically Black Colleges and Universities 
nationwide, started receiving tuition grants under the program of 
$2,500 per student per school year, with a cumulative cap of $12,500 
per student.
  Since the first grants were awarded in 2000, the program has 
dispersed over $98 million to 8,454 District students; many are the 
first in their family to attend college. Moreover, District high school 
graduating seniors have seen a 28 percent increase in college 
attendance. Seventy five percent of District students said that D.C. 
TAG made a difference in their decision to continue their education 
beyond high school. Sixty five percent of District students have 
indicated that D.C. TAG has enabled them to choose a college that best 
suits their educational needs.
  Because of the great success and positive impact of this program, I 
propose to expand the program to private schools nationwide, thereby 
creating greater equity between all private colleges, while 
establishing a cap on program funding at the current appropriation of 
$33.2 million annually. In addition, this legislation will require the 
Mayor of the District of Columbia to submit an annual report to 
Congress on the program's status.

[[Page S13370]]

  As Chairman of the District of Columbia authorizing subcommittee, 
leveling the playing field for high school graduates in the District 
and enhancing their educational opportunities continues to be a top 
priority. I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation.
  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. 2060

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

     SECTION 1. 5-YEAR REAUTHORIZATION OF TUITION ASSISTANCE 
                   PROGRAMS.

       (a) Public School Program.--Section 3(i) of the District of 
     Columbia College Access Act of 1999 (sec. 38-2702(i), D.C. 
     Official Code) is amended by striking ``each of the 7 
     succeeding fiscal years'' and inserting ``each of the 11 
     succeeding fiscal years''.
       (b) Private School Program.--Section 5(f) of such Act (sec. 
     38-2704(f), D.C. Official Code) is amended by striking ``each 
     of the 7 succeeding fiscal years'' and inserting ``each of 
     the 11 succeeding fiscal years''.

     SEC. 2. EXPANSION TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS NATIONWIDE.

       Section 5(c)(1)(A)(i) of the District of Columbia College 
     Access Act of 1999 (sec. 38-2704(c)(1)(A)(i); D.C. Official 
     Code) is amended by striking ``the main campus'' through the 
     end and inserting ``located in the United States;''.

     SEC. 3. CAPPED FUNDING.

       Section 7 of the District of Columbia College Access Act of 
     1999 (sec. 38-2706; D.C. Official Code) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``or'' after the 
     semicolon;
       (2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period and inserting 
     ``; or''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) $33,200,000, in the case of the aggregate amount for 
     fiscal year 2006 and each succeeding fiscal year.''.

     SEC. 4. MAYOR'S REPORT.

       Section 3(g) of the District of Columbia College Access Act 
     of 1999 (sec. 38-2703(g); D.C. Official Code) is amended to 
     read as follows:
       ``(g) Mayor's Report.--Not later than August 1, the Mayor 
     shall report to Congress annually regarding:
       ``(1) The number of students applying for the program and 
     the number of students graduating from the program.
       ``(2) The number of eligible students attending each 
     eligible institution and the amount of the grant awards paid 
     to those institutions on behalf of the eligible students.
       ``(3) The extent, if any, to which a ratable reduction was 
     made in the amount of tuition and fee payments made on behalf 
     of eligible students.
       ``(4) The progress in obtaining recognized academic 
     credentials of the cohort of eligible students for each 
     year.''.
                                 ______