College

Appropriations bill contains $66.3 million for tribal colleges; $4.6 million for UTTC

October 29, 2009 -- (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) said today that the $7 million increase in funding for tribal colleges nationwide represents a strong commitment to Native American higher education that will benefit students at tribal colleges in North Dakota.

The Interior Appropriations conference agreement includes $66.3 million for tribally controlled community colleges, which is $7 million more than last year’s level. In addition, the bill includes a provision proposed by the President including $50 million to forward fund tribal colleges so they can better plan for the academic year.    » read more »

Covers Second Semester Funding for 138,000 Illinois College Students

CHICAGO – October 18, 2009. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation to cover critical second-semester MAP funding for nearly 138,000 eligible students. Senate Bill 1180 appropriates full funding for the need-based student aid program, allowing both students and colleges to plan for the Spring 2010 college term.

“I salute the General Assembly for their swift response to what could have been a serious setback to students across the state who rely on MAP funding for their education,” said Governor Quinn. “I look forward to continuing to work with the legislature to find revenue to support this critical program.”    » read more »

October 9, 2009 -- Concord, NH -- Congressman Paul Hodes appeared with AnnMarie Morse and the Plymouth State University President Sara Jayne Steen to honor Michelle’s Law taking effect as a federal law today. Michelle’s Law, named after the late Michelle Morse, allows college students to take up to a one year medical leave without losing their health insurance. The New Hampshire-based law passed Congress last year and was signed by President Bush. It will officially take effect today, October 9, 2009.    » read more »

Berkeley, CA - 10/08/2009 - Nearly one in 10 community college students in the U.S. cannot get a federal student loan – the safest, most affordable way to borrow for college – because their schools choose not to participate in the federal loan programs.

A new issue brief from the Project on Student Debt found that more than 20 percent of the community college students in seven states have no access to federal loans, including six states (AL, GA, NC, LA, TN, VA) in the southern U.S. African-American and Native-American students were twice as likely as other students to lack access to federal student loans.    » read more »

Joins Hundreds at Schools across Illinois to Rally for Scholarship Funds

October 7, 2009 - Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today joined hundreds of Illinois college students in an effort to rescue the Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP). Those attending the Governor’s Rallies to Save College Scholarships called on the Illinois General Assembly to restore critical second-semester MAP funding for nearly 138,000 eligible students.

“Today I stand with students, teachers, administrators, lawmakers and everyday people to challenge the General Assembly to fully fund MAP grants,” said Governor Quinn. “When it comes to this important education funding issue, we will not accept a grade of ‘incomplete’ from the Legislature.”    » read more »

Joins Hundreds at UIC to Rally for More Scholarship Funds

CHICAGO – September 29, 2009 -- Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today joined hundreds of Illinois college students at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Student Center in an effort to rescue the Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP). Those attending the Governor’s Town Hall Meeting to Save College Scholarships rally called on the Illinois General Assembly to restore critical second-semester MAP funding for nearly 138,000 eligible students.    » read more »

Sept. 30, 2009 -- LAKEWOOD -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter was joined today by leaders in education and energy to announce two new educational tools that will help strengthen Colorado's clean energy workforce: a community college green jobs certificate and a green jobs guidebook.

"Colorado's New Energy Economy is leading America toward a new energy future, and Colorado's community colleges are leading the way," Gov. Ritter said during an announcement ceremony at Red Rocks Community College. "This new certificate program and guidebook will serve as a national model as we provide students and the workforce with the skills, knowledge and opportunities they need in order to succeed in the New Energy Economy."    » read more »

Passage of the DREAM Act will allow next generation of leaders to achieve their own American dream

June 23, 2009 -- Washington, DC --Today, with the U.S. Capitol's Statue of Freedom reaching to the sky behind them, more than 500 students from across the country took part in a symbolic graduation ceremony to urge Congress to support our nation's future leaders by passing the DREAM Act. The National DREAM Graduation ceremony was hosted by labor organizations like SEIU, education, faith, business, immigrant and civil rights groups through the United We Dream Coalition.    » read more »

Rhode Island Senator Discusses Legislation to Crack Down on High Interest Rates

June 8, 2009 -- Providence, R.I. - On the heels of sweeping credit card reform legislation recently passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) met today with Rhode Islanders affected by unfair credit card practices at the John Hope Settlement House in Providence. Whitehouse heard from consumers and small business owners about the impact of high interest rates and other tricks and traps on their families and businesses.    » read more »

June 3, 2009 -- Milwaukee — U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan visited the Milwaukee Area Technical College today to announce a $7 million special competitive grant to establish innovative and sustainable community college programs that prepare displaced workers for second careers.

This first-of-its-kind grant program will be used to develop national models that can be replicated across the country, especially in communities where autoworkers have lost their jobs.    » read more »

Report Contains 27 Major Recommendations to Help Create Jobs, Generate Economic Activity, Benefit Colleges and Universities across New York State

June 1, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today accepted the final report from the New York State Commission on Asset Maximization. The Commission was charged with broadly examining whether asset maximization can benefit the State, as well as whether any specific New York assets are suitable candidates for Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).    » read more »

May 28, 2009 -- United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has issued the following statement in response to "The Condition of Education" report for 2009 released today by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES):    » read more »

President Obama signs Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act

May 22, 2009 --
WASHINGTON – Today, President Obama signs the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009, marking a turning point for American consumers and ending the days of unfair rate hikes and hidden fees.    » read more »

May 22, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – In a White House ceremony this afternoon, President Obama will sign the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act or Credit CARD Act of 2009, which offers a comprehensive approach to protecting consumers from unfair credit card practices. The bill builds on groundwork laid by Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., in hearings and legislation over the past four years.

“Credit card companies have crossed line after line with outrageous practices that hurt American families and businesses,” Levin said. “They underestimated the ability of Congress to turn public outcry into public policy. We faced powerful forces against this effort, but we prevailed.    » read more »

May 22, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) and Congressmen Tim Bishop (D-NY) and Vern Ehlers (R-MI) introduced bipartisan legislation today to help improve college access for low-income students. The Pathways to College Act would create a competitive grant program to help low-income school districts implement programs designed to increase the number of students who are entering and succeeding in college.    » read more »