House Approves Measure To Expand Access to Student Aid

By Mark Pitsch

WASHINGTON--The House last week passed a bill to expand access to federal financial-aid programs under the Higher Education Act.

The bill, which would allow students from families earning as much as $49,000 to receive a Pell Grant and permit all students, regardless of family income, to take out a Guaranteed Student Loan, passed on a vote of 365 to 3..

Students from families earning up to $78,500 would be eligible for an in-school interest subsidy on their loans under the bill, HR 3553, while students from wealthier families could receive unsubsidized loans...