House approves Heck bills to reform student financial aid applications

The House of Representatives approved two bills on Monday that U.S. Rep. Joe Heck (R-NV) introduced to create more opportunities for Hispanic students and reform the financial aid process.

Heck, a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, introduced the Accessing Higher Education Opportunities Act, H.R. 5529, to help students at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) pursue medical careers.

“The Accessing Higher Education Opportunities Act will help us address a growing doctor shortage and close the diversity gap among physicians by helping students at HSIs achieve the dream of higher education,” Heck said.

Under the bill, HSIs would be authorized to partner with local school districts to enhance dual enrollment opportunities and early college high school programs and to develop support programs to help students advance from higher education to medical school.

Heck also offered the Simplifying the Application for Student Aid Act, H.R. 5528, to streamline and enhance the application process to help students and parents access financial aid more easily and better understand payment options.

“These bills will provide more Nevadans the opportunity to pursue higher education,” Heck said. “As the first in my family to attend college, I know firsthand that more education creates more opportunity for students to find employment and success in the future. I’m pleased the House showed such strong support for both bills and urge the Senate to advance this legislation as quickly as possible.”

U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee who worked to advance five higher education bills, including Heck’s bills, said that she is committed to increasing access to high-quality, affordable education.

“The bipartisan legislation that passed out of the House today will help reform the student loan process, increase transparency in higher education, and increase financial literacy,” Stefanik said. “I commend my colleagues for passing these important bills.”