[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 212 (Wednesday, November 2, 2016)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 76485-76486]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-26657]


 
 
                         Presidential Documents 
 
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 81 , No. 212 / Wednesday, November 2, 2016 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 76485]]


                Proclamation 9531 of October 28, 2016

                
National College Application Month, 2016

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                In America, all people deserve an equal chance to 
                succeed, and expanding access to affordable higher 
                education is necessary for bringing us closer to 
                fulfilling this ideal. Over the past several 
                generations, our country built a strong middle class 
                through a commitment to keeping a high-quality 
                education within reach for all those willing to work 
                for it, and now more than ever, a college degree is the 
                surest path to the middle class. During National 
                College Application Month, we encourage Americans to 
                apply for a higher education, and we strive to ensure 
                every student--no matter who they are or where they 
                come from--has a chance at the opportunities they need 
                to thrive.

                My Administration is committed to giving students and 
                their families important information on college 
                admissions, value, and costs so they can make decisions 
                that are right for them. Last year, we redesigned a new 
                College Scorecard with direct input from students, 
                families, and advisers to provide clear and accessible 
                national data on college cost, graduation rates, debt, 
                and post-college earnings. By visiting 
                CollegeScorecard.Ed.gov, more Americans can evaluate 
                college choices based on the factors that matter most 
                to them. Through First Lady Michelle Obama's Reach 
                Higher initiative, we are inspiring more students to 
                pursue a higher education, ensuring they have what they 
                need to complete their college education, and helping 
                them understand their financial aid eligibility. And we 
                are working to reduce barriers to educational 
                opportunity through the Fair Chance Higher Education 
                Pledge--an effort in which public and private colleges 
                and universities are helping provide individuals with 
                criminal records who have already paid their debt to 
                society a fair chance to seek a higher education. To 
                learn more about ways we are helping more Americans 
                pursue a higher education, visit www.WhiteHouse.gov/ReachHigher ReachHigher.

                Although earning a college degree is one of the most 
                important investments individuals can make for 
                themselves and for our country, it still feels out of 
                reach for too many American families. That is why we 
                have taken many steps to make college more affordable, 
                including doubling investments in grant and scholarship 
                aid through Pell Grants and tax credits, keeping 
                interest rates low on Federal student loans, and 
                helping borrowers manage debt after college through 
                programs like the Pay as You Earn plan. This year, we 
                launched the Free Application for Federal Student Aid_
                which is available at www.FAFSA.gov--3 months earlier 
                than usual so that students can access financial aid 
                sooner and receive better information as they search 
                for and apply to colleges. And because every American 
                at any age and from any walk of life should be able to 
                earn the skills necessary to compete in the 21st-
                century economy, I have proposed making community 
                college free for students with the drive and discipline 
                to work for it.

                This month, we recognize the limitless potential in 
                every student and reaffirm our commitment to offering 
                them the resources they need to succeed. We thank not 
                only the teachers, counselors, and parents who support 
                students throughout the college application process, 
                but also the organizations and institutions partnering 
                with us to eliminate unnecessary barriers to higher

[[Page 76486]]

                education. Let us celebrate the progress we have made 
                as more historically underserved students are enrolling 
                in college for the first time, more students are 
                graduating from college than ever before, and new 
                student loan defaults are on the decline. And together, 
                let us forge a future where every student has the 
                opportunity to go as far as their dreams and hard work 
                will take them.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim November 2016 as 
                National College Application Month. I call upon public 
                officials, educators, parents, students, and all 
                Americans to observe this month with appropriate 
                ceremonies, activities, and programs designed to 
                encourage students to make plans for and apply to 
                college.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-eighth day of October, in the year of our Lord 
                two thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                first.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2016-26657
Filed 11-1-16; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F7-P