#SASFAAtakesDC
On May 12, 2015, representatives from the Southern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (SASFAA) member states went to Washington D.C. to meet their elected officials serving on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP). They discussed many issues that affect student financial aid and suggested ways to improve access and administration. You may have seen some of their pictures on social media as the group adopted the phrase #SASFAAtakesDC.
SASFAA President Nathan Basford (Florida State University) and Jenny Hammett (Clemson University) met with staff from Congressman Carlos Curbelo’s and Congresswoman Frederica Wilson’s offices, as well as staff from Senator Tim Scott’s office. “Senator Scott is very interested in financial literacy,” said Hammett. “We left feeling that they would look at allowing schools to set loan limits.”
“Hill visits are so important for SASFAA members,” said Basford. “Elected officials and staffers in every office are looking for experts and trusted advisors on higher education financing issues, and what better resource than those who are working on the ground level in their districts.” Hammett later met with Senator Tim Scott and Congressman Joe Wilson.
Stephanie Miller (Jacksonville State University) and Bob Walker (Itawamba Community College) met with staff from Congressman Bradley Bryne’s office. “Congressman Bryne is very interested in simplification of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and which questions we felt could be removed,” said Miller. “They are also in full support of working to save Perkins and the subsidized loan.”
Philip Hawkins (University of West Georgia) and Christen Neher (Savannah College of Art and Design) met with staff for Senator Johnny Isakson and Congressman Rick Allen. Their discussion focused on the use of prior-prior year income, FAFSA simplification, retaining the subsidy on Stafford student loans, institutional ability to prevent over borrowing, full restoration of Ability to Benefit, retaining the Perkins Loan Program, and the burdens of frequent regulatory changes.
Erin Klarer (Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority) presented concerns from her state’s schools to Senator Rand Paul’s office as well as Congressman Brett Guthrie. “The importance of the Perkins Loan program resonates well with the Kentucky delegation as the program was founded and named for a Kentucky Congressman, the late Carl D. Perkins,” said Klarer. Congressman Guthrie and Senator Paul are interested in FAFSA simplification as well.
Sharon Oliver (North Carolina Central University), Lisa Koretoff (Guilford Technical Community College), and Wanda White (North Carolina Community College System Office) met with staff for Congresswoman and Chair of the House Higher Education Subcommittee, Virginia Foxx. “Congresswoman Foxx strongly believes that all students deserve a quality education,” said Oliver.
The NCASFAA group also met with staff for Senator Richard Burr’s office. The Senator has several higher education issues that he is passionate about, including increasing affordability and lowering interest rates on student loans. “Senator Burr has introduced the Repay Act, which would reduce student loan repayment to two plans, a 10-year standard and an income-based plan,” said Koretoff. He is also responsible for the ACE task force for regulatory relief, supports a one-year Perkins loan program extension, a campus-based flex program and the restoration of year-round Pell grants.
This group also had a great meeting with freshman Congresswoman Dr. Alma S. Adams, who was ready to file legislation as soon as she heard about some of the barriers students face to financial aid. She is also working with Representative Bradley Burns to launch a bipartisan caucus for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to address their unique challenges.
Heidi Hunter-Goldworthy (University of Mary Washington) and Chad Sartini (Virginia Western Community College) met with staff from Congressmen Bobby Scott and David Bratt’s offices. “As ranking member of the Committee on Education and Workforce, Congressman Scott’s is a voice for both access and simplification,” said Sartini. “He supports use of prior-prior year income and the continuation of the subsidized loan program.”
“The staffer from Bratt’s office focused more on fiscal issues,” said Hunter-Goldsworthy. “One concern is how to continue funding subsidized loans. Another main concern of Congressman Bratt’s is student loan debt.”
Ron Gambill (EdSouth) and Celena Tulloss (University of Tennessee – Knoxville) met with staff from Congressman John Duncan’s office and Congressman David “Phil” Roe, as well as with Senator Bob Corker’s office. As Gambill is a frequent visitor to Capitol Hill, he was able to connect with the delegation and staffers on a personal level. “All of the staffers in each office spent considerable time with us, due in no small part to Ron’s relationship with them,” said Tulloss. “These kinds of relationships are built over time and are a prime example of why these visits are so important.”
Thanks to Gambill’s connections, the SASFAA group also met with Bob Moran, the HELP Committee’s Education Policy Director and legislative aid to the Chairman, Senator Lamar Alexander, and discussed the many subjects related to the Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. A former U.S. Department of Education employee, he arguably is one of the most knowledgeable Hill staffers in regards to federal student aid. His outlook is less optimistic about the retention of subsidized Stafford and Perkins loans due to funding. FAFSA simplification is a key piece of the Senate committee’s higher education agenda, as is institutional accountability. Moreover, Mr. Moran indicated a move toward limiting the Secretary of Education’s regulatory power as enumerated in the current Higher Education Act and that the gainful employment regulations should be repealed. Mr. Moran spent considerable time with the group, even making suggestions of ways to improve their proposals for future visits.
Stephanie Miller said, “After participating in the Hill visits, I came back encouraged that the goals of SASFAA and each state association were met with an open mind, and by standing together we can make a difference in not only the present, but also in the future of financial aid policy.” Many thanks go out to Sharon Oliver for her impeccable organization and diligence as SASFAA Legislative Issues Chair. We hope you will join us next year!