Statement on Senate’s Passage of Amended FUTURE Act

“We applaud the Senate for advancing a bipartisan agreement – led by HELP Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander, Ranking Member Patty Murray, and Sens. Tim Scott, Doug Jones, Richard Burr, and Chris Coons – to immediately restore and permanently extend $255 million in crucial annual funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other Minority-Serving Institutions and at the same time to make much-needed administrative revisions to improve access to affordable student loan repayment plans and simplify the FAFSA. We urge the House to act quickly to advance this legislation.

“While this is a long-overdue win for students and families, it is critical that legislative efforts to improve the higher education system don’t stop here. Today’s Senate action paves the way for policymakers to continue their efforts to work out and advance a bipartisan, comprehensive Higher Education Act reauthorization that simplifies the aid application process and student loan repayment, makes new investments in college affordability, reduces the burden of student debt, and protects students and taxpayers from low-quality institutions. Only a full reauthorization can provide the progress students need to the severe challenges in affordability and equity.”

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