    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 128, 113th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    PROCLAMATION 9203--OCT. 31, 2014

    Proclamation 9203 of October 31, 2014

    National College Application Month, 2014

    By the President of the United States of America

    A Proclamation

    With hard work and determination, a great education should be within
    everyone's reach. At the heart of America's promise is the belief that
    we all deserve an equal opportunity to get ahead, and today more than
    ever--as we face greater global competition in a knowledge-based
    economy--a college degree is the surest path to a stable, middle-class
    life. During National College Application Month, we come together to
    encourage all students to take control of their own destiny by applying
    to continue their education beyond high school and to let them know that
    no matter where they come from or who they are--it does not matter if
    they are the first in their family to apply to college or if they have
    been told that they are simply not college material--there is an
    opportunity for them.
    This fall, high school seniors across our Nation are making the decision
    to invest in their future by earning a post-secondary degree or
    credential, and as they navigate the college admissions process, my
    Administration is dedicated to supporting them with the tools and
    resources they need to succeed. To help more families afford a college
    degree, we have expanded grants, tax credits, and loans and invested in
    programs that help students manage and reduce the burdens of debt after
    they graduate. We created the College Scorecard to make it easier for
    students and families to compare colleges and find ones that are well-
    suited to their needs. And to help students better understand the costs
    of college and more easily compare aid packages offered by different
    institutions, we developed the Financial Aid Shopping Sheet. To access
    these and other resources--including College Navigator and a tool that
    helps determine the net price of any given college--Americans can go to
    www.WhiteHouse.gov/ReachHigher.
    Applying to college is hard work, but it is only the beginning of a
    journey that requires persistence and focus. A college degree unlocks
    pathways to opportunity; it prepares today's students for the jobs of
    the future and is a requirement for the educated workforce and informed
    citizenry our country needs to create growth, bolster our economy, and
    strengthen our democracy. That is why as a Nation, we must lift up our
    students, help them achieve their greatest potential, and work together
    toward an important goal: to lead the world in college completion.
    This month, we celebrate the limitless possibility within every child.
    We honor the teachers, school counselors, and parents who help students
    apply to college. We recognize the institutions that are taking steps to
    ensure they reach the best and brightest students, regardless of their
    background, and all those who ensure the next generation is prepared for
    success, including businesses who open their doors to interns and the
    alumni, foundations, and faith-based organizations that provide
    scholarships. Let us remind all students that it is never too early to
    start planning for their future or reaching for their dreams.
    NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
    America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Con

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    stitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November
    2014 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 thirty-first day of
    October, in the year of our Lord two thousand fourteen, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
    ninth.
    BARACK OBAMA