Collins proposes higher ed bill promoting federal-state partnerships

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) on Dec. 11 introduced a bipartisan bill that would strengthen federal-state partnerships in postsecondary education.

“Education plays a vital role in opening the doors of opportunity to all Americans, but the rising cost of a college education threatens to close those doors to many families across the country,” Sen. Collins said last week.

The senator cosponsored the Partnerships for Affordability and Student Success (PASS) Act, S. 3028, with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) specifically to “help alleviate such financial strains by creating a federal-state partnership program to improve state educational attainment, college access, affordability, and completion,” said Sen. Collins.

If enacted, S. 3028 would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 and authorize new federal investment to states if they commit to maintain the investment in higher education. Among other criteria, states also would have to devise a comprehensive plan for higher education with measurable goals for access, affordability and student outcomes, and at least half of the funding would have to be dedicated to need-based student financial aid, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Collins’ office.

The bill also would give states the option to award grants to colleges and universities or partnerships between institutions of higher education and nonprofits that have the same goals, according to the summary.

“College is expensive,” said Sen. Reed. “The PASS Act will help make a college degree more affordable and accessible by reinvigorating the federal-state partnership for higher education with an emphasis on need-based grant aid.”

The bill is supported by the National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs, the Center for Law and Social Policy, the Institute for Higher Education Policy, the Association of Community College Trustees, and the National Skills Coalition.