Coalition Calls for Inclusion of Higher Education in Economic Stimulus Package
Coalition Calls for Inclusion of Higher Education in Economic Stimulus Package
The American Council on Education has announced its involvement in a coalition that has called on Congress to make higher education a critical component of the economic stimulus package currently under consideration.
Comprised of thirty higher education associations — including the American Association of Community Colleges, the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, EDUCAUSE, and the Women's College Coalition — the coalition is working to reinvigorate the partnership between higher education and government and ensure that colleges and universities receive a proportional share of the final stimulus package.
Among other things, the coalition has proposed creating a Higher Education Infrastructure Block Grants program to support campus projects that provide jobs and strengthen the academic capacity of colleges and universities while increasing student aid to families struggling to pay tuition during the economic downturn. The coalition also has called for an immediate increase of $700 in the Pell Grant award as well as retirement of the shortfall the program has amassed, and doubling the funding for the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant program.
"Students and families are hurting and facing new barriers in access to higher education that come at a time when the knowledge economy demands an ever more highly skilled work force," said ACE president Molly Corbett Broad. "At the same time, the economic downturn threatens our institutions just when they are needed most. We believe our proposal will provide much-needed help to families at the same time that it ensures that colleges and universities are fully and effectively deployed in the effort to restart our economy and put our nation on the path to economic prosperity and renewed growth."
“Higher Education Makes Its Case to Be Part of the Economic Stimulus Package.”
American Council on Education Press Release
12/15/08.
Primary Subject: Education
Secondary Subject(s): Higher Education
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