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ACTION ALERT
The Reauthorization of the
Higher Education Act
Committee Mark-up Due,
Wednesday, March 18
The Higher Education Act (HEA) is being considered for reauthorization by the
105th Congress. This legislation, whose programs are administered by the U.S.
Department of Education authorizes the federal government's major student aid
programs, as well as other programs aiding institutions and supporting services
for disadvantaged students. TRIO Programs like Talent Search and Upward Bound
fall under this category. Congressman Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX) has introduced H.R.
2495, a bill that would provide greater funding for TRIO Programs in geographic
regions that are currently underserved under Title IV of the HEA. The bill seeks
to use new fomulas for equitable distribution. If passed, H.R.2495 will increase
postsecondary education opportunities for Hispanic students by requiring the
Secretary of Education to consider the degree to which the applicant will serve
underrepresented populations and groups with high dropout rates.
On Wednesday, March 18, the HEA comes to the Full Committee on Education and
the Workforce of the House of Representatives for a vote.
Urgent Action Needed: We need LULAC members to make phone calls to
Congressman William Goodling (R-PA), Chairman of the Full Committee, @ (202)
225-5836 and Congressman Howard McKeon (R-CA), Chairman Subcommittee, @
(202)225-1956, urging them to support provisions of H.R. 2495 regarding
equitable distribution for TRIO programs.
Points in support of H.R. 2495:
- While Hispanic students comprise approximately 27% of the students
eligible for TRIO programs, only about 16% of the students served by TRIO
are Hispanic. If you include Puerto Rico, which is also served by TRIO, the
percentage of Hispanic students eligible increases to 29%.
- Only half of the Hispanic students that could be served by TRIO under
equitable distribution are served today.
- From 1977 to 1993, when the U.S. Hispanic population doubled in size, the
percentage of Hispanics served by TRIO declined from 18% to 16%.
- 67% of Hispanic students between the ages of 12 and 24 are TRIO eligible.
- Out of the 5 million Hispanic students eligible for TRIO, only 2% are
served today. Out of the 17 million students eligible for TRIO, only about
4% are currently being served.
- The LULAC National Education Service Centers (LNESC) serve over 16,000
students each year - 13,000 of whom are Hispanic. We serve approximately 14%
of all the Hispanic students served by TRIO. Nevertheless, we only serve
about one fourth of one percent (.26%) of Hispanic students who are eligible
for TRIO.
For further information contact Selena Walsh, League of United Latin American
Citizens, 1133 20th St., NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 408-0060,
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