HEA Proposal on College Costs Riles States

House provision would cut some U.S. scholarship aid if they reduced postsecondary funding.

State policymakers are vehemently opposing a proposal in Congress that would require states to at least level-fund postsecondary education or risk losing federal aid for scholarships for low-income students.

Proponents say the provision would help curb college-tuition costs, which have soared in recent years. But critics say the measure would have the opposite effect, since state lawmakers would be reluctant to hike spending on higher education during flush years, for fear of losing federal dollars if revenues took a downturn.

The language was championed by Rep. John F. Tierney, D-Mass, a member of the House...