The 108th Congress is running out of time to renew the Higher Education Act, a bill that governs various aspects of higher education, including financial aid and federal funding for students across the nation.
The current HEA is scheduled to expire this fall.
One of the most controversial aspects of the HEA is Title VI. A current proposed change to this law would create a single definition of the term "Institution of Higher Education."
If enacted, the single definition would increase loan limits, change loan interest rates, and open federal funding to for-profit institutions making them eligible to receive billions in federal funds currently designated for nonprofit, tax-payer supported public colleges.
Postsecondary education is a complex, decentralized enterprise, made up of a wide array of institutions, which enroll a large, and diverse student body.
In the 1998-1999 academic year, nearly 6,600 degree and non-degree-granting postsecondary education institutions were eligible to participate in the HEA's student aid programs.
The institutions enrolled an estimated 15.1 million students, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Some local community colleges in the San Gabriel Valle, such as Mt. San Antonio, Pasadena, Citrus, and Rio Hondo are opposed to this "single definition" proposal.
Dr. Michael J. Viera, superintendent/president of Citrus College, feels strongly about having all education institutions under one umbrella. His grievance is that public funds should not go to for-profit trade schools.
"Congress should be able to make a distinct difference between for-profit schools and public schools," Viera said.
College lobbyists assert that Title VI imposes intrusive new requirements for accrediting government-supported programs.
"Because we are a public school, this new proposal to the HEA will make it harder getting the federal funding that we need," Viera said.
"Basically, what will happen is your federal taxes will go to funding private schools and trade schools that already make a profit from the owners and shareholders of these institutions," he said.
2008 Woodie Awards