If enacted, the bill would significantly increase funding for student aid, research
The House Committee on
Appropriations today approved its spending bill for Labor, Health and
Human Services, and Education for FY 2020, allocating $75.9 billion to
the Department of Education (ED). The measure would increase the maximum
Pell Grant award by $150 and boost funding for the National Institutes
of Health by $2 billion, among the overall increases for student aid,
higher education programs, and research.
The $75.9 billion for ED includes $24.9
billion for federal student aid programs ($492 million above FY 2019)
and $2.7 billion for higher education programs ($431 million above FY
2019). (Click here for a detailed breakdown of these totals.)
ACE and 36 other higher education associations sent a letter
to the committee in advance of the vote, expressing support and noting
that the funding levels, if enacted, would “have a profoundly positive
impact on the millions of college students who rely on federal financial
aid to afford college.”
“Critical increases for programs such as
TRIO, GEAR UP, Title VI international education, CCAMPIS, Teacher
Quality Partnerships and the Titles III and V programs for Historically
Black Colleges and Universities and other minority-serving institutions
will lead to greater affordability and higher quality postsecondary
education,” the groups wrote. “We were also pleased to see that the bill
includes $150 million in new funding for community colleges to provide
training and employment assistance under the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act.”
Politico noted this morning that the Democratic-controlled committee's report
on the bill released yesterday also takes aim at Secretary of Education
Betsy DeVos on a range of issues, including directing her to provide
monthly updates on stalled debt forgiveness for borrowers who say
they've been defrauded.
The legislation is a starting point
for negotiations for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. The
Senate Appropriations Committee has yet to approve any spending bills.