The hardest part of a college education shouldn’t be figuring out the price.  These days, financial aid paperwork is so complicated that students often feel an advanced degree is required to know whether the education offered is worth the cost.  Sadly, it’s often impossible for students and parents to determine the total cost of attending college.

This summer, future college students are thinking about everything from choosing majors to decorating dorm rooms.  Amid many decisions big and small, taking time to fully understand the costs associated with college attendance can be an aggravating task that may get put off and ultimately ignored, often with disastrous consequences. 

As Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training in the House of Representatives, I am working with my colleagues to reauthorize and reform the Higher Education Act (HEA) in a way that will help make paying for college simple and straightforward. On July 10, my Committee favorably reported three bills that improve the HEA by supporting innovation, enhancing financial counseling, and simplifying the student aid process.  Each of these bills has since passed the full House of Representatives with bipartisan support and been sent to the Senate for consideration.  

·         H.R. 3136, the Advancing Competency-Based Education Demonstration Project Act.

o    This bipartisan legislation will provide students new opportunities to receive a high-quality education in a way that best serves their personal and financial needs.

o    To learn more about the legislation, click here.

·         H.R. 4983, the Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act.

o    Congressman Luke Messer and I authored this bill, which will help students access the facts they need to make an informed decision about their education.

o    To learn more about the legislation, click here.

·         H.R. 4984, the Empowering Students Through Enhanced Financial Counseling Act.

o    This legislation will promote financial literacy through enhanced counseling for all recipients of federal financial aid.

o    To learn more about the legislation, click here.

My goal is to make the dream of earning a college degree more accessible to America’s students.  Hopefully the Senate will consider and pass these bills before heading home in August. 

You can follow the progress of this reauthorization on the Education and Workforce Committee’s website at:  http://edworkforce.house.gov/highered/.  It is my hope that you will share with me any suggestions you may have as we continue to work on these important issues.  You can also sign up for my e-newsletter on my website (www.foxx.house.gov) to stay up-to-date on constituent services, legislative updates and my work in Congress. 

Sincerely,