December 07, 2017
Paige Marlatt Dorr
Office: 916.327.5356
Cell: 916.601.8005
Office E-mail: pdorr@cccco.edu
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley issued the following statement about House Resolution 4508, the proposed reauthorization of the Higher Education Act.
“The proposed Higher Education Act reauthorization bill would have negative consequences for too many California community college students striving to earn a college credential and to participate in a meaningful way in our economy. The bill could restrict student aid at public colleges through a cumbersome risk-sharing proposal, while giving for-profit colleges even more access to federal student aid programs with lax accountability. Students who borrow to attend college would pay more in interest and risk facing burdensome debt under a scaled-back income-based loan repayment arrangements. Loan forgiveness for students who have been wronged by for-profit institutions would be scaled back. While we appreciate the focus on additional financial aid to encourage full-time attendance, the small increase in this assistance is inadequate to truly address student need. The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office will work with congressional representatives as this bill moves through the legislative process to ensure it reflects the best interests of our students and our state.”
The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation composed of 72 districts and 114 colleges serving 2.1 million students per year. Community colleges supply workforce training, basic skills education and prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions. The Chancellor’s Office provides leadership, advocacy and support under the direction of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges. For more information about the community colleges, please visit our website.
