[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 80 (Tuesday, May 25, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H3781-H3782]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 STUDENT FINANCIAL AID AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1353) supporting the goals and ideals 
of Student Financial Aid Awareness Month to raise awareness of student 
financial aid, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1353

       Whereas education is the key to a successful future for 
     many people in the United States;
       Whereas the ability of some students to attend an 
     institution of higher education is conditional on the 
     availability of student financial assistance;
       Whereas the cost of higher education continues to rise for 
     4-year private colleges and universities, 4-year public 
     colleges and universities, 2-year community colleges, and for 
     profit institutions;
       Whereas students and families across the United States are 
     making important decisions about financing their education at 
     an institution of higher education;
       Whereas efforts to increase awareness about student 
     financial aid options are necessary for students across the 
     United States to receive all of the financial aid available 
     to them;
       Whereas increasing awareness about the Free Application for 
     Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) ensures that more eligible 
     students may benefit from Federal financial assistance;
       Whereas students must complete and submit a new FAFSA each 
     school year to be considered for all forms of Federal 
     financial aid;
       Whereas each year, about 16,000,000 students apply for 
     financial aid by filling out the FAFSA;
       Whereas increasing access to Federal financial aid helps 
     reduce students' reliance on costly private loans; and
       Whereas Student Financial Aid Awareness Month will help 
     call attention to the critical role financial assistance 
     plays in helping students attending an institution of higher 
     education: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of Student Financial Aid 
     Awareness Month;
       (2) encourages students and families across the United 
     States to participate in activities being offered during 
     Student Financial Aid Awareness Month; and

[[Page H3782]]

       (3) recognizes the importance of educating students and 
     families about Federal student financial aid.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Bishop) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days 
during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous 
material on House Resolution 1353 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  I rise today in support of House Resolution 1353, which expresses 
support for the goals and ideals of Student Financial Aid Awareness 
Month.
  This month is an important part of increasing awareness of the many 
financial aid options available to young people who are preparing to go 
to college. With the cost of college rising rapidly every year, it has 
become increasingly critical that students take full advantage of their 
options for financial aid, including those of grants, loans, and 
scholarships.
  The passage of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 
2010, of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, of the 
Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, and of the College Cost 
Reduction and Access Act of 2007 have all increased the amount of aid 
available and have improved access to student aid for millions of 
students and their families.
  Student Financial Aid Awareness Month helps students and their 
families get the information they need to make important decisions 
about financing their postsecondary education. High schools and 
colleges across the country celebrate Student Financial Aid Awareness 
Month by providing critical information, aid application deadlines, 
FAFSA application workshops, money management tips, advice on applying 
for scholarships, and student loan repayment options.
  In 2008, 67 percent of students graduating from 4-year colleges and 
universities, or 1.4 million students, had student loan debt. The 
average debt level for these graduating seniors was $23,200 in 2008. 
With an increasing reliance on student debt to finance postsecondary 
education, it is important that students and their families have the 
information they need to make responsible borrowing decisions. Student 
Financial Aid Awareness Month helps achieve this goal.
  Mr. Speaker, once again, I express my support for celebrating Student 
Financial Aid Awareness Month at schools across this country and for 
all of the benefits this focused effort brings to help families across 
the country in their pursuits of higher education.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROE of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  To the previous speakers who were here with regard to House 
Resolution 1385, I want to associate myself with the remarks of 
Chairman Skelton, Mr. McKeon, and Mr. Wilson. As a veteran, I, too, on 
Memorial Day, would like to honor all those who paid the ultimate 
price.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1353, a resolution 
supporting the goals and ideals of Student Financial Aid Awareness 
Month to raise awareness of student financial aid. In many low-income 
households, a college education is the ticket to a more prosperous way 
of life. Many students rely on numerous Federal financial aid programs 
to accomplish that goal.
  For example, the Pell Grant, originally created in 1972 and known 
then as the Basic Opportunity Grant Program, is used as the cornerstone 
for a low-income student financial aid package. Through this grant and 
the other Federal financial aid programs, like the Federal Work-Study, 
the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, the Perkins Loan 
Program, and the Stafford Loan Program, millions of students have been 
able to pursue their dreams of postsecondary educations.

                              {time}  1645

  While it is important to recognize the role that Federal financial 
aid plays in college access, it is also critical to discuss the 
importance of the partnership that must exist between the Federal 
Government, States, institutions of higher education, and students and 
their families. Without each part of this partnership, it will be 
impossible to continue to help students attend some form of college.
  In recent years, the Federal Government has increased the amount of 
aid provided exponentially, only to have institutions continue to raise 
their costs at rates outpacing inflation. If college costs continue to 
rise at rates of 4, 5 or 6 percent per year, students will quickly find 
themselves unable to afford a college education. All participants in 
the partnership must do their part if we want college to remain an 
option for all students.
  While Federal financial aid is important, it is not the only thing 
that should be mentioned during the conversation around Student 
Financial Aid Awareness Month. There are thousands or organizations 
around the country whose mission it is to help low-income students 
navigate the student aid and college application process. Whether the 
organization helps students fill out the Free Application For Federal 
Student Aid, the FAFSA, provides financial literacy, assists students 
with filling out their college applications, or provides extra tutoring 
services to ensure that students are prepared for the rigors of 
college, these entities are critical in ensuring that college remains 
an option for every student who wants to attend.
  For these reasons, I support the goals and ideals of Student 
Financial Aid Awareness Month, and I urge my colleagues to support this 
resolution.
  I have also served on two foundation boards at universities, and I 
can tell you as a foundation board member and president of a college 
foundation board that these organizations are absolutely essential to 
help educate students.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I join Dr. Roe in urging my 
colleagues to vote for this resolution, and I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Bishop) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1353, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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