The Higher Education Act: Reauthorization Status and Issues

Publication Date: October 2004

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Education

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Abstract:

The funding authorizations in the Higher Education Act (HEA) have expired. This legislation, administered by the U.S. Department of Education (ED), authorized the federal government’s major student aid programs, as well as other significant initiatives. Provisions temporarily extending the programs and activities of the HEA were signed into law as part of a continuing resolution (P.L. 108-309) funding federal programs through November 20, 2004. On October 6, 2004, the House passed H.R. 5185 to extend the HEA authorities through FY2005. The Senate passed the same legislation on October 9, 2004. In the 108th Congress, legislative action to reauthorize the HEA has included House passage of a series of bills amending and extending several individual titles of the HEA.