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The government relations staff reviews actions taken
by the federal government that may affect colleges and universities in
the region. Of particular interest is legislation regulating activities
in the District of Columbia as well as more general laws affecting university
governance. The Consortium also tracks relevant government regulations
such as rules developed by the Department of Education or the IRS.
For more information, contact Sally Kram at
kram@consortium.org.
District of Columbia College Access Act
Passed by Congress in 1999, the College Access Act provides qualified
District residents with the difference between in-state and out-of-state
tuition at any public institution of higher education in the country for
each year of that student's first undergraduate degree. The student may
receive up to $50,000 over five years. The program also provides students
with up to $2,500 a year (with a $12,500 cap) toward tuition at private
higher education institutions in D.C. and its surrounding counties, or
private historically black colleges or universities in Maryland or Virginia.
Named the D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG) program, interested D.C.
residents must apply within three years of graduating or receiving a GED.
Once a student is found eligible and is admitted to a qualified higher
education institution, the District's Tuition Assistance Grant Program
office sends the grant dollars to the institution at which the student
is enrolled. Funds may be used only to pay for the costs of tuition and
fees. Only students who have graduated since January 1, 1998 are currently
eligible for the program.
Status
The bill is currently being reviewed for permanent reauthorization.
The Consortium strongly supports the permanent reauthorization of this
program to provide as many students as possible with an opportunity to
obtain an undergraduate degree. It is also supporting an increased appropriation
for the program and lifting the private school cap from $2,500 to $5,000.
International Student Issues
Higher Education Reauthorization
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