[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 16, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S599]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. CLINTON (for herself, Mr. Durbin, Ms. Mikulski, and Mr. 
        Lieberman):
  S. 301. A bill to provide higher education assistance for 
nontraditional students, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Finance.
  Mrs. CLINTON. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation to 
meet the needs of non-traditional college students. If enacted, The 
Non-Traditional Student Success Act would expand services that promote 
retention and graduation for non-traditional students.
  The number of non-traditional students has been increasing 
dramatically on college campuses all across America. These students 
face unique challenges to completing their degree that include 
affording their education, balancing work, school, and family 
responsibilities, overcoming inadequate academic preparation, and 
navigating the college environment. Unfortunately, many of our current 
higher education policies make it harder, not easier for these students 
to complete their degree.
  In fact, among students seeking a bachelor's degree, nearly half of 
non-traditional students leave college within the first 3 years before 
completing their studies, compared with 12 percent of traditional 
students. Similarly, among those seeking an associate's degree, 62 
percent of non-traditional students left without any degree, compared 
with 19 percent of traditional students. This trend has a 
disproportionate impact on minority communities especially when 
considering over 80 percent of both black and Hispanic undergraduate 
students are non-traditional in some way. This trend must end if we are 
to ensure that all students are awarded an equal opportunity to compete 
for jobs in today's marketplace.
  We must take a step forward with a positive agenda in the 110th 
Congress to ensure that all students are able to successfully acquire a 
college education as doing so is essential to our economic prosperity. 
That is why I have introduced the Non-Traditional Student Success Act.
  The Non-Traditional Student Success Act will tear down the financial 
barriers many non-traditional students face when financing their 
college education. By allowing students access to their Federal Pell 
grants year-round while increasing the maximum Pell grant award to 
$12,600 over the next 5 years, this bill will not only help students 
pay for college but also allow them the opportunity to complete 
programs more quickly. This legislation also creates a pilot program to 
provide more financial aid--grants and loans--to students enrolled in a 
degree program less than half-time.
  This legislation will also expand services that promote retention and 
graduation for non-traditional students. The Non-Traditional Student 
Success Act will increase funding for Student Support Service programs, 
GEAR-UP, mentoring, tutoring and other services to help non-traditional 
students succeed. While spending for remediation among U.S. colleges 
and universities approaches the $1 billion mark, this bill create 
incentives for institutions to customize their courses to help students 
more successfully complete remedial work and graduate into academic 
programs.
  I am happy to report that two of the provisions from the previously 
introduced Nontraditional Student Success Act were enacted into law 
through the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. These provisions, expanding 
the use of Pell grants for less than half-time students and a provision 
to reduce the work penalty for independent students, will provide more 
options to non-traditional students in financing their college 
education.
  The fact is, three out of four undergraduate students--75 percent--
are non-traditional in some way. My bill will increase access to a 
higher education and improve the graduate rates for the millions of 
non-traditional students.
  The start of a new Congress brings an opportunity to provide critical 
changes in higher education and offer assistance to non-traditional 
students. This proposal is endorsed by the Commission on Independent 
Colleges and Universities, The Center for Law and Social Policy, Career 
Colleges Association, and the American Association of Community 
Colleges.
  I am hopeful that my Senate colleagues from both sides of the aisle 
will join in support of this bill and move this legislation to the 
floor without delay.
                                 ______