OGSLP Online News

February 21, 2008

Higher Education Act (HEA) Reauthorization Update

The House of Representatives approved the College Opportunity and Affordability Act (H.R. 4137) on February 7, 2008 by a vote of 354-58. The bill reauthorizes the Higher Education Act (HEA) through FY 2012. During the debate on the bill, 27 amendments were considered for inclusion, and 26 of those amendments were adopted. Next, the bill will go to Conference Committee for negotiation and, if passed by both chambers of Congress, will be sent to the President for signature. The current extension of the HEA expires March 31, 2008.

Highlighted below are some of the amendments pertaining to the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program.

For more detailed information about these and other amendments, click here to read the National Council of Higher Education Loan Programs' (NCHELP) summary of select H.R. 4137 provisions, including the amendments approved by the House when the bill was passed on February 7.