October 01, 2015

 

LAWT News Service 

 

 

Congresswoman Janice Hahn (CA-44) introduced the Pell Restoration Act of 2015 last week, to help students victimized by for-profit colleges continue their education elsewhere.

 

“Forgiving the debt of students defrauded by for-profit colleges and restoring their eligibility for Pell Grants not only is fair but also smart policy, providing an opportunity for motivated, capable students to pursue the higher education they deserve,” Hahn said.

 

The Federal Pell Grant Program provides need-based grants to low-income students to help them afford college. Currently, students who receive Pell Grants and attend a college that closes due to misconduct, would have used up at least some of their eligibility during the time they were enrolled at the failing school.

 

For example, earlier this year, Corinthian Colleges, a for-profit company, abruptly closed all of its remaining campuses and ended its college programs amid financial troubles and numerous government investigations of its practices, and Corinthian students were immediately facing difficult circumstances, having to figure out whether they could afford to continue their education, which school they could transfer to, what credits would count and how they would pay for it.

 

“Unfortunately, for-profit colleges have engaged in predatory and deceptive tactics to rip off hardworking students and the American taxpayers,” said Congresswoman Hahn. “We should make sure students know they have options for affordable, quality education at community colleges, public universities and elsewhere.  And for those who have been exploited by for-profit companies, we should help them recover and move forward so they can complete their education and improve their career prospects.”

 

The Pell Restoration Act restores Pell Grant eligibility for students whose school closed so they can get a fresh start and receive Pell Grants to complete their degree or certificate at another school.

 

Congresswoman Hahn is joined by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Representatives Bobby Scott (VA-3) and Maxine Waters (CA-43) in introducing this legislation.

 

Congresswoman Hahn added, “I was happy to work on this issue last Congress and with the plight of Corinthian students making Pell Grant restoration all the more important, I am proud to have worked with Congressman Bobby Scott on this important bill.”  Congressman Scott is the Ranking Member of the House Education and Workforce Committee.

 

Congresswoman Hahn has been a consistent advocate for people seeking access to higher education, including helping those who have been defrauded and victimized by for-profit colleges in her district and elsewhere.

 

 In addition to seeking support from Education Secretary Arne Duncan to discharge the loans of Corinthian College students this year, Congresswoman Hahn previously intervened to help students of a failed for-profit college, Career Colleges of America, following its closure of its campus in South Gate in her district in 2014.

Category: Business