UPCEA, along with ACE and 37 other higher education associations wrote a letter to Reps. Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) on H.R. 4508, the Promoting Real Opportunity, Success, and Prosperity through Education Reform Act (PROSPER), expressing reservations with the bill and advocating for a reauthorization that enhances the ability of students to enter and complete postsecondary education. Every previous reauthorization of the Higher Education Act has strengthened federal support for low- and middle-income students. Sadly, the PROSPER Act moves in the opposite direction. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the PROSPER Act would reduce federal aid to students by nearly $15 billion. The magnitude of this cut fails to fully identify the harm caused by the changes proposed in this bill. The bill limits the ability of parents and graduate students to borrow through affordable loan programs, a change that would cost the federal government money. This budgetary cost is then paid for by eliminating benefits that help low- and middle-income undergraduate students afford college. This leaves all students far worse off.

The letter asks that the bill not be brought to the floor for a vote until substantive changes are made to address​ these concerns.

Click here to read the full letter.