College Democrats Against the Raid on Aid
Clay Johnson
Issue date: 10/20/05 Section: News
House Resolution 609 is a bill first proposed by the United States Congress in early February of this year. Sponsored by Representative, John A. Boehner of Ohio, the bill is also known as the College Access and Opportunity Act of 2005. It amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise and reauthorize various programs.
The first version of the Higher Education Act (HEA) was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965. The HEA's purpose is to create the rules and regulations that govern federal involvement in higher education-from student financial assistance to strengthening postsecondary institutions. The HEA is examined and adjusted as needed or recommended every six years-a process known as reauthorization. During reauthorization it may be updated, altered, or have new rules added. 1998 was the year in which the last HEA reauthorization bill was signed into law.
Boehner, in a press release, said of the bill, "H.R. 609 would expand college access for millions of low- and middle-income students." Many proponents of the bill say that the bill simplifies regulations and places aid emphasis on the most needy, all while providing more options to students. Opponents of the bill point to its effects on student aid, including cuts to aid programs and new interest rate regulations for student loans.
Enter the UAH College Democrats. On September 28, 2005, members of the group set up camp in the University of Alabama in Huntsville's University Center to "Stop the Raid on Student Aid." Sterling High, UAH College Democrats President, was on hand at the booth, attempting, alongside his comrades, to collect signatures for a petition to consolidate opposition to H.R. 609's current form.
The group's opposition was based on interpretations of H.R. 609's implications. The stance of the UAH College Democrats is as follows: "The Higher Education Act was passed so that every qualified student, regardless of income, could pursue the dream of higher education. However, the HEA reauthorization bill would put affordable higher education further out of reach."
The first version of the Higher Education Act (HEA) was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965. The HEA's purpose is to create the rules and regulations that govern federal involvement in higher education-from student financial assistance to strengthening postsecondary institutions. The HEA is examined and adjusted as needed or recommended every six years-a process known as reauthorization. During reauthorization it may be updated, altered, or have new rules added. 1998 was the year in which the last HEA reauthorization bill was signed into law.
Boehner, in a press release, said of the bill, "H.R. 609 would expand college access for millions of low- and middle-income students." Many proponents of the bill say that the bill simplifies regulations and places aid emphasis on the most needy, all while providing more options to students. Opponents of the bill point to its effects on student aid, including cuts to aid programs and new interest rate regulations for student loans.
Enter the UAH College Democrats. On September 28, 2005, members of the group set up camp in the University of Alabama in Huntsville's University Center to "Stop the Raid on Student Aid." Sterling High, UAH College Democrats President, was on hand at the booth, attempting, alongside his comrades, to collect signatures for a petition to consolidate opposition to H.R. 609's current form.
The group's opposition was based on interpretations of H.R. 609's implications. The stance of the UAH College Democrats is as follows: "The Higher Education Act was passed so that every qualified student, regardless of income, could pursue the dream of higher education. However, the HEA reauthorization bill would put affordable higher education further out of reach."