College Affordability Act Would Advance Higher Education Opportunity and Improve Outcomes

New York

EdTrust–New York is a statewide education policy and advocacy organization focused first and foremost on doing right by New York’s children. Although many organizations speak up for the adults employed by schools and colleges, we advocate for students, especially those whose needs and potential are often overlooked.

West

EdTrust–West is committed to dismantling the racial and economic barriers embedded in the California education system. Through our research and advocacy, EdTrust-West engages diverse communities dedicated to education equity and justice and increases political and public will to build an education system where students of color and multilingual learners, especially those experiencing poverty, will thrive.

Massachusetts

The Education Trust team in Massachusetts convenes and supports the Massachusetts Education Equity Partnership (MEEP), a collective effort of more than 20 social justice, civil rights and education organizations from across the Commonwealth working together to promote educational equity for historically underserved students in our state’s schools.

The full House should take up this comprehensive Higher Education Act reauthorization ASAP

WASHINGTON (October 31, 2019) – Today, Wil Del Pilar, vice president of higher education at The Education Trust, issued the following statement:

“We applaud the House Education and Labor Committee for passing the College Affordability Act (CAA), a step toward advancing opportunity and improving outcomes for students of color and students from low-income families.

“We are particularly pleased to see the amendment from Reps. Jayapal (D-WA) and Wilson (D-FL) that requires the Government Accountability Office to examine racial and socioeconomic disparities in our public higher education system. The findings would likely confirm what Ed Trust’s recent “Broken Mirrors” reports have shown: underrepresented students of color face unequal access to all levels of public higher education. Also, the $625 increase to the maximum Pell Grant included in CAA would help more students pay for college. Furthermore, Rep. Omar’s (D-MN) amendment, which contains language to examine how student loan forgiveness could be designed to close the racial wealth gap, would be an important contribution to race-conscious higher education policy. These policy changes are sorely needed improvements. Finally, the bill overturns the unwise and harmful 1994 ban on Pell Grants for students who are incarcerated.

“Overall, the bill would create a more student-centered higher education system and address pressing needs throughout American higher education. We look forward to the full House taking up the College Affordability Act as soon as possible.”

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