Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act heads to House floor

This week, H.R. 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009, will be brought to the House floor for a vote. This landmark legislation contains the American Graduation Initiative, the $12 billion initiative proposed by President Obama and focused on community colleges. This is the largest single Federal investment ever made in community colleges.

H.R. 3221 also includes the following:

- $6.3 billion in grant funding to community colleges over the next ten years;

- $2.5 billion in facilities funding, made available on October 1, 2010;

- Guaranteed annual increases in the Pell Grant maximum, to ensure that it continues to grow faster than inflation;

- Guaranteed funding for Hispanic-Serving Institutions;

- Simplification of the application form and process for Federal student aid