College

Obama Administration Applauds Governors for Bipartisan Work to Develop Higher Standards in Education

February 22, 2010 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Today at a meeting with our nation’s governors, President Obama outlined new steps to better prepare America’s children for college and the workplace. The President is calling for a redesigned Elementary and Secondary Education Act that includes a comprehensive, new vision to help states successfully transition to and implement college- and career-ready standards by improving teacher preparation and development, upgrading classroom instruction, and supporting high-quality assessments.    » read more »

Opening the Doors of College and Opportunity

Having steered the economy back from the brink of a depression, the Administration is committed to moving the Nation from recession to recovery by sparking job creation to get millions of Americans back to work and building a new foundation for the long-term prosperity for all American families. To do this, the 2011 Budget makes critical investments in the key areas that will help to reverse the decline in economic security that American families have experienced over the past decade with investments in education, clean energy, infrastructure, and innovation.    » read more »

Guide Provides Students With One-Stop-Shopping for Financial Aid Information

February 2, 2010 -- With families facing the challenge of rising tuition costs in a struggling economy, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) today released a comprehensive resource guide on financial aid for students who are pursuing a higher education. “Ready for College: A Resource Guide to Financial Aid for Students” provides students and their families with a one-stop-shopping resource for federal and state aid programs that they may be eligible for.    » read more »

01/25/10 -- PHILADELPHIA PA – Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA) issues a public service reminder to college students and their families: Now is the time to gather official documents and receipts to help you claim the new $2,500 American Opportunity Tax Credit for your higher education expenses in 2009.

Rep. Fattah is architect of the AOTC legislation, enacted as part of President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The American Opportunity Tax Credit is designed to help low and moderate income students meet their college expenses.    » read more »

Reform Package Would Provide SUNY and CUNY the Flexibility Needed to Become Centers of Job Creation

January 15, 2010 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that his 2010-11 Executive Budget will include the most significant reforms to the State’s system of public higher education in a generation.    » read more »

November 17, 2009 -- ST. LOUIS - For the second year in a row, in-state, undergraduate students at Missouri's four-year, public colleges and universities won't see tuition or academic fees rise by a penny.

That's the good news Missouri Governor Jay Nixon announced today during visits to the University of Missouri-St. Louis and Missouri State University in Springfield.    » read more »

Appropriations bill contains $66.3 million for tribal colleges; $4.6 million for UTTC

October 29, 2009 -- (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) said today that the $7 million increase in funding for tribal colleges nationwide represents a strong commitment to Native American higher education that will benefit students at tribal colleges in North Dakota.

The Interior Appropriations conference agreement includes $66.3 million for tribally controlled community colleges, which is $7 million more than last year’s level. In addition, the bill includes a provision proposed by the President including $50 million to forward fund tribal colleges so they can better plan for the academic year.    » read more »

Covers Second Semester Funding for 138,000 Illinois College Students

CHICAGO – October 18, 2009. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to cover critical second-semester MAP funding for nearly 138,000 eligible students. Senate Bill 1180 appropriates full funding for the need-based student aid program, allowing both students and colleges to plan for the Spring 2010 college term.

“I salute the General Assembly for their swift response to what could have been a serious setback to students across the state who rely on MAP funding for their education,” said Governor Quinn. “I look forward to continuing to work with the legislature to find revenue to support this critical program.”    » read more »

October 9, 2009 -- Concord, NH -- Congressman Paul Hodes appeared with AnnMarie Morse and the Plymouth State University President Sara Jayne Steen to honor Michelle’s Law taking effect as a federal law today. Michelle’s Law, named after the late Michelle Morse, allows college students to take up to a one year medical leave without losing their health insurance. The New Hampshire-based law passed Congress last year and was signed by President Bush. It will officially take effect today, October 9, 2009.    » read more »

Berkeley, CA - 10/08/2009 - Nearly one in 10 community college students in the U.S. cannot get a federal student loan – the safest, most affordable way to borrow for college – because their schools choose not to participate in the federal loan programs.

A new issue brief from the Project on Student Debt found that more than 20 percent of the community college students in seven states have no access to federal loans, including six states (AL, GA, NC, LA, TN, VA) in the southern U.S. African-American and Native-American students were twice as likely as other students to lack access to federal student loans.    » read more »

Joins Hundreds at Schools across Illinois to Rally for Scholarship Funds

October 7, 2009 - Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today joined hundreds of Illinois college students in an effort to rescue the Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP). Those attending the Governor’s Rallies to Save College Scholarships called on the Illinois General Assembly to restore critical second-semester MAP funding for nearly 138,000 eligible students.

“Today I stand with students, teachers, administrators, lawmakers and everyday people to challenge the General Assembly to fully fund MAP grants,” said Governor Quinn. “When it comes to this important education funding issue, we will not accept a grade of ‘incomplete’ from the Legislature.”    » read more »

Joins Hundreds at UIC to Rally for More Scholarship Funds

CHICAGO – September 29, 2009 -- Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today joined hundreds of Illinois college students at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Student Center in an effort to rescue the Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP). Those attending the Governor’s Town Hall Meeting to Save College Scholarships rally called on the Illinois General Assembly to restore critical second-semester MAP funding for nearly 138,000 eligible students.    » read more »

Sept. 30, 2009 -- LAKEWOOD -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter was joined today by leaders in education and energy to announce two new educational tools that will help strengthen Colorado's clean energy workforce: a community college green jobs certificate and a green jobs guidebook.

"Colorado's New Energy Economy is leading America toward a new energy future, and Colorado's community colleges are leading the way," Gov. Ritter said during an announcement ceremony at Red Rocks Community College. "This new certificate program and guidebook will serve as a national model as we provide students and the workforce with the skills, knowledge and opportunities they need in order to succeed in the New Energy Economy."    » read more »

Passage of the DREAM Act will allow next generation of leaders to achieve their own American dream

June 23, 2009 -- Washington, DC --Today, with the U.S. Capitol's Statue of Freedom reaching to the sky behind them, more than 500 students from across the country took part in a symbolic graduation ceremony to urge Congress to support our nation's future leaders by passing the DREAM Act. The National DREAM Graduation ceremony was hosted by labor organizations like SEIU, education, faith, business, immigrant and civil rights groups through the United We Dream Coalition.    » read more »

Rhode Island Senator Discusses Legislation to Crack Down on High Interest Rates

June 8, 2009 -- Providence, R.I. - On the heels of sweeping credit card reform legislation recently passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) met today with Rhode Islanders affected by unfair credit card practices at the John Hope Settlement House in Providence. Whitehouse heard from consumers and small business owners about the impact of high interest rates and other tricks and traps on their families and businesses.    » read more »