Federal Policy

Latest from Washington

October 3, 2008

AASCU will be working with AGB/NACUBO and with the other higher education associations who are signatories to this letter in order to assist our membership in providing clear, transparent information that adequately conveys how their institutions are operated and financed to all the various constituencies interested in colleges and universities' financial operations--including but not limited to state and federal lawmakers, policymakers, parents, and students.

September 30, 2008

AASCU releases a summary and analysis of the Higher Education Opportunity Act

August 14, 2008

President Bush has signed into law the Higher Education Opportunity Act- the first comprehensive bill to reauthorize the Higher Education Act since 1998. Congress passed the legislation on July 31, 2008.

July 30, 2008

Conferees for the reauthorization of Higher Education Act approved the bill's Conference Report. Floor action in both the House and the Senate is expected Thursday, July 31. In the meantime, Congress has approved another short-term extension to ensure the reauthorized version clears the President's desk before the current law expires.

Congress has provided a summary of the bill. AASCU will soon provide an analysis of the bill to members. AASCU sent a letter to Congress supportive of the bill's passage and informed its membership.

July 10, 2008

On June 30, the President signed into law his final war spending bill that provides not only one more year of funding for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, but also funding to expand veterans education benefits for those who served after September 11, 2001. This new law will have a significant and positive impact for student veterans and public colleges and universities. Bill summary.

June 25, 2008

Congress has passed another extension to the Higher Education Act- the 13th- which will expire at the end of July. The extension will allow lawmakers more time to finalize a conference report- which represents a compromise between the House and Senate versions of the reauthorization.

Congressional appropriators are moving forward with appropriations bills to fund federal programs, despite widespread understanding that the federal government will most likely operate under a continuing resolution at fiscal year 2008 funding levels at least until a new president takes office. Before recessing for the 4th of July holiday, Congressional committees will attempt to pass all- or most- of the dozen fiscal year 2009 spending measures- leaving floor action for July and the months leading up to the elections. After floor action, funding measures will be sent to the White House for signature- where the fate of most domestic spending will likely be a veto, which will send them back to Congress.

May 20, 2008

Congress has passed another short-term extension of the Higher Education Act that will expire at the end of June. The extension will allow lawmakers more time to finalize a conference report- which represents a compromise between the House and Senate versions of the reauthorization.

May 7, 2008

The President has signed into law student loan legislation to address shifts in the student loan markets. Congress has extended current Higher Education Act provisions through the end of May 2008.

April 16, 2008

In response to concerns in the student loan market, Congress has introduced legislation to ensure access to student loans (S. 2815 and H.R. 5715) . AASCU's analysis and recommendations.

March 2008

Congress has passed an extension of the Higher Education Act (HEA) that will expire at the end of April 2008 in order to allow more time for the House and Senate to reconcile the differences between their HEA bills. Read More

Congress is busy with efforts to reauthorize the Higher Education Act and with the 2009 Federal Budget Read More

The Senate budget resolution contains a "reserve fund" to allow for the increase of the federal student loan limit. AASCU opposes an increase to the federal student loan limit. Read More