Supporting the goals and ideals of Student Financial Aid Awareness Month to raise awareness of student financial aid.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

To the previous speakers who were here with regard to House Resolution 1385, I want to associate myself with the remarks of Chairman Skelton, Mr. McKeon, and Mr. Wilson. As a veteran, I, too, on Memorial Day, would like to honor all those who paid the ultimate price.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1353, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of Student Financial Aid Awareness Month to raise awareness of student financial aid. In many low-income households, a college education is the ticket to a more prosperous way of life. Many students rely on numerous Federal financial aid programs to accomplish that goal.

For example, the Pell Grant, originally created in 1972 and known then as the Basic Opportunity Grant Program, is used as the cornerstone for a low-income student financial aid package. Through this grant and the other Federal financial aid programs, like the Federal Work-Study, the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, the Perkins Loan Program, and the Stafford Loan Program, millions of students have been able to pursue their dreams of postsecondary educations.

While it is important to recognize the role that Federal financial aid plays in college access, it is also critical to discuss the importance of the partnership that must exist between the Federal Government, States, institutions of higher education, and students and their families. Without each part of this partnership, it will be impossible to continue to help students attend some form of college.

In recent years, the Federal Government has increased the amount of aid provided exponentially, only to have institutions continue to raise their costs at rates outpacing inflation. If college costs continue to rise at rates of 4, 5 or 6 percent per year, students will quickly find themselves unable to afford a college education. All participants in the partnership must do their part if we want college to remain an option for all students.

While Federal financial aid is important, it is not the only thing that should be mentioned during the conversation around Student Financial Aid Awareness Month. There are thousands or organizations around the country whose mission it is to help low-income students navigate the student aid and college application process. Whether the organization helps students fill out the Free Application For Federal Student Aid, the FAFSA, provides financial literacy, assists students with filling out their college applications, or provides extra tutoring services to ensure that students are prepared for the rigors of college, these entities are critical in ensuring that college remains an option for every student who wants to attend.

For these reasons, I support the goals and ideals of Student Financial Aid Awareness Month, and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

I have also served on two foundation boards at universities, and I can tell you as a foundation board member and president of a college foundation board that these organizations are absolutely essential to help educate students.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1353) supporting the goals and ideals of Student Financial Aid Awareness Month to raise awareness of student financial aid, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on House Resolution 1353 into the Record.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of House Resolution 1353, which expresses support for the goals and ideals of Student Financial Aid Awareness Month.

This month is an important part of increasing awareness of the many financial aid options available to young people who are preparing to go to college. With the cost of college rising rapidly every year, it has become increasingly critical that students take full advantage of their options for financial aid, including those of grants, loans, and scholarships.

The passage of the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, and of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 have all increased the amount of aid available and have improved access to student aid for millions of students and their families.

Student Financial Aid Awareness Month helps students and their families get the information they need to make important decisions about financing their postsecondary education. High schools and colleges across the country celebrate Student Financial Aid Awareness Month by providing critical information, aid application deadlines, FAFSA application workshops, money management tips, advice on applying for scholarships, and student loan repayment options.

In 2008, 67 percent of students graduating from 4-year colleges and universities, or 1.4 million students, had student loan debt. The average debt level for these graduating seniors was $23,200 in 2008. With an increasing reliance on student debt to finance postsecondary education, it is important that students and their families have the information they need to make responsible borrowing decisions. Student Financial Aid Awareness Month helps achieve this goal.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I express my support for celebrating Student Financial Aid Awareness Month at schools across this country and for all of the benefits this focused effort brings to help families across the country in their pursuits of higher education.

I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I join Dr. Roe in urging my colleagues to vote for this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.