EdLoC Response to the College Cost Reduction Act

On January 31, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce held a markup of H.R. 6951, the College Cost Reduction Act, which was introduced by Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC). The Committee voted to report the bill favorably on a party-line vote (22-19), and the bill now awaits consideration on the House floor. 

Addressing college costs and ensuring access to higher education are top priorities. For too long, higher education has been out of reach for too many, with students of color and low-income students facing systemic exclusion and perpetual barriers to opportunity. However, Education Leaders of Color (EdLoC) has deep concerns with several aspects of the College Cost Reduction Act as it currently stands and does not believe that it would successfully address the challenges we seek to solve. In fact, certain provisions of this bill may have unintended consequences that could negatively impact students, particularly low-income students and students of color.  

The bill would leave borrowers less protected from predatory programs, weaken tools for oversight, and make it more difficult for borrowers to repay their student loans. Fundamentally, any bill to address college costs must put students’ and borrowers’ interests first, and this bill fails that test. 

In light of these concerns, EdLoC urges policymakers to carefully consider the potential impact of the College Cost Reduction Act on students, especially low-income students and students of color. We believe that any legislation related to higher education should prioritize equity, affordability, and college access and completion for all. 

Read and learn more about the bill here.

You can also find a bill summary here and the bill text here.