A College Match Made In Congress
September 27, 2007, 3:02pm
Federal policy is not a passion for many college students, but the House Education and Labor Committee hopes to make them passionate about at least one bill that President Bush signed into law Thursday.
The legislation would increase funding for Pell Grants to college by $11.4 billion over five years and boost the maximum award from $4,310 to $5,400 over that time period. Grants would be available year-round.
The interest rate on student loans also would be cut in half, saving an average of more than $4,000 per borrower. And people in the military or leaving it could defer loan payments under certain circumstances.
The benefits won’t do any good if students don’t know about them, though, and the committee has opted for a little online creativity in spreading the word. It has created a video with the feel of an online dating service.
“I’ll be honest: I’m into college students,” says a student holding a mock $4,400 check signed by “Congressional Democrats.” “I’m not looking for anything exclusive. I’d just like to get with as many students as I can.”
Here are Bush’s comments about the law at the White House bill-signing ceremony:
UPDATE, 9/30: The Education and Labor Committee also created videos with three panel Democrats — Joe Courtney of Connecticut, Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and Joe Sestak of Pennsylvania — to tout the new law.
Categories: Connecticut, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, White House, Democrats, Joe Courtney, Mazie Hirono, Joe Sestak, Education
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