    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [November 12, 1999]
    [Pages 2085-2086]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the District of Columbia College Access Act of 1999
    November 12, 1999

        Today I am pleased to sign into law H.R. 974, the ``District of
    Columbia College Access Act of 1999.'' This Act helps to level the
    playing field for the young people of the District of Columbia by
    expanding opportunities for affordable higher education. My FY 2000
    Budget requested $17 million to improve access to higher education for
    D.C. residents by enabling them to attend public colleges and
    universities in Maryland and Virginia at in-State tuition rates. I am
    grateful for the bipartisan effort in the Congress to work with my
    Administration to build on that proposal and develop this Act.
        The District of Columbia College Access Act of 1999 will allow the
    Federal Government, through a program run by the Mayor of the District
    of Columbia, to pay the difference between in-State and out-of-State
    tuition at public colleges and universities in Maryland, Virginia, and
    other States, under certain circumstances, on behalf of qualified D.C.
    residents. District of Columbia residents could receive up to $10,000
    per year, with a $50,000 maximum overall, in tuition subsidies under
    this Act. This tuition subsidy is critical, because it will provide an
    opportunity for D.C. residents, like the residents of all 50 States, to
    attend a variety of affordable public colleges and universities. A lack
    of financial resources can be a roadblock to entering college, as well
    as a major reason why many students who enroll in college do not
    complete their degree programs. By providing this tuition subsidy, we
    are providing D.C. residents more opportunities to attend college, and
    encouraging families with college-bound children to remain in, or move
    to, the District. By assisting individual D.C. residents through these
    tuition subsidies, we will also be contributing to the continued
    revitalization of the District of Columbia.
        In addition, the Act would authorize grants of up to $2,500 per
    year, with a $12,500 per student maximum, to D.C. residents who choose
    to attend private colleges and universities in the Washington, D.C.
    area, including private historically Black colleges and universities in
    Maryland or Virginia. Together with the tuition subsidy for public
    colleges and universities, these grants would greatly expand both public
    and private post-secondary opportunities for D.C. residents.
        Throughout the legislative development of this bill, my
    Administration stated its preference for ensuring that Federal resources
    are provided to those students with greater need for financial
    assistance. The Act goes a long way toward reaching that goal by
    providing the Mayor of the District of Columbia with the authority, in
    the event of insufficient appropriations, to establish priorities
    regarding the making or amount of tuition and fee payments on the basis
    of the income and need of eligible students.
        The Act would also authorize financial support to the University of
    the District of Columbia (UDC), if it does not receive funds under the
    Higher Education Act of 1965 on the basis of its status as a
    historically Black college and university. In order to provide a range
    of high quality higher education opportunities to D.C. residents, this
    Act will ensure that Federal funds are available to support the only
    public institution of higher education in the District of Columbia and
    to help ensure that D.C. residents who choose to attend UDC will receive
    a solid education.

    [[Page 2086]]

        Finally, I must point out that this Act is only part of the efforts
    currently underway to improve higher education opportunities for D.C.
    students. I congratulate the private sector's outstanding efforts to
    prepare D.C. students to attend college, and to provide additional
    tuition assistance beyond that provided in this Act. The commitment of
    both the private and public sectors to broaden postsecondary education
    opportunities available to D.C. residents will have a significant impact
    on the education, economic well-being, and lives of many D.C. students
    and their families for years to come. I look forward to working with
    D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams as he
    implements this groundbreaking new program.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    November 12, 1999.

    Note: H.R. 974, approved November 12, was assigned Public Law No. 106-
    98.