House
Democrats unveiled the Aim Higher Act (H.R.
6543) shortly before they left for the August district work period. They
assert the bill will give students the opportunity to go to college debt free
without compromising the quality of their education. The proposed bill is a
direct response to H.R. 4508, the Promoting Real Opportunity, Success, and
Prosperity through Education Reform (PROSPER)
Act, which House Education and the Workforce reported in December 2017.
Aim
Higher, just like PROSPER, would be a reauthorization of the Higher Education
Act, the federal law that controls much of federal spending and lending for
postsecondary education. It has not been reauthorized since 2008. Since then,
student debt has grown exponentially. The American Association of State
Colleges and Universities (AASCU)
previously released a statement saying the Aim Higher Act’s financial aid
provisions would ensure that students could attain the American dream. ADEA
continues to monitor the progression of both higher education reauthorization
bills.