Kennedy Praises Passage of Legislation Continuing Student Aid Programs

Senator Edward M. Kennedy applauded last night’s passage of legislation keeping existing federal student aid programs operational. He urged Congress to take up more comprehensive legislation that would expand student aid and reform the student loan programs. In the extension bill passed today, Senator Kennedy helped negotiate language that would: (1) provide loan forgiveness to spouses of 9/11 victims; (2) make it easier for applicants to qualify for the Hispanic Serving Institutions program; and (3) ensure that lenders do not exploit a loophole in a recently passed law that requires that proceeds from student loans originated by schools go to need-based aid.

“I am pleased that we were able to pass legislation to continue the Higher Education Act programs, ensuring that more than 10 million students will continue to receive the federal grants and loans needed for their education,” said Senator Kennedy. “We need to move quickly to complete action on more comprehensive legislation that does more than continuing the status quo. Families are pinching their pennies to send their children to college and 170,000 students each year do not attend college at all because of cost. We need to re-open the doors to the American Dream by providing additional student aid and making college more affordable.”

–Tristan Takos