[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 109 (Monday, July 20, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1844]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCING THE ESTABLISHING GRANTS FOR COLLEGE ACCESS AND COMPLETION 
                                PROGRAM

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                            HON. JAY INSLEE

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 20, 2009

  Mr. INSLEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Establishing 
Grants for College Access and Completion Act of 2009, a bill to 
increase the number of low-income students from underserved populations 
and disadvantaged backgrounds who enter and complete college.
  It is well established that students from low-income families are 30 
percent less likely to have access to higher education, but the 
disparity in graduation rates are more pronounced: only 20 percent of 
the lowest-income students are projected to graduate with a bachelor's 
degree by 2012, compared to 68 percent of the highest income students.
  This bill would authorize Federal funding for the Grants for College 
Access and Completion program, a competitive grant program to support 
innovative and effective approaches that are currently improving 
college-going and college-graduation rates for low-income, high-promise 
students. Eligible organizations would need to show a proven track 
record of success in increasing the number of students from low-income 
and disadvantaged populations who enter and remain in college, and have 
an independent scholarship program supported by non-Federal dollars. 
Any eligible organization, under this bill, would be able to enter into 
partnerships with other entities to improve their ability to 
effectively reach low-income and disadvantaged students.
  This bill was written to use taxpayers' money wisely. The Federal 
grants would be used to provide mentoring, academic support, and 
supportive services to prepare low-income students to attend 
institutions of higher education, with 15 percent of the funds coming 
from non-Federal sources. This bill does not provide any money for 
scholarships; rather, it will be required that the grantees have 
established and successful scholarship programs. Finally, the bill has 
an annual reporting requirement of grantees, so that the Secretary can 
keep close track of their performance.
  For example, efforts are currently underway and proven to improve 
graduation rates of this student population. A Washington State-based 
foundation, the College Success Foundation, formerly the Washington 
Education Foundation, is leading the way, by encouraging low-income and 
disadvantaged students to pursue higher education, and providing them 
with support and mentoring services to ensure their continued success 
in college.
  Almost 90 percent of today's fastest growing jobs require some 
postsecondary education. Students who do not attend and graduate from 
college are increasingly finding themselves shut out of well-paying 
jobs. Statistics show that an individual without a high school diploma 
will earn approximately $1,100,000 less in their lifetime than an 
individual with a bachelor's degree. Finally, statistics show that the 
children of college graduates, and even their children's children, are 
more likely to go on to graduate from institutes of higher education. 
Should my bill become law, and help students attend and graduate from 
college, their expected lifetime earnings will more than pay for the 
little sums of money appropriated through this legislation.
  I urge my colleagues to consider this important bill.

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