As Higher Education Community Builds Support, Efforts to Preserve Perkins Garner Attention on Capitol Hill

Prepared by:  Wes Huffman (whuffman@wpllc.net)  

Politico, a Capitol Hill trade publication, highlighted the efforts of COHEAO and other organizations to preserve the Perkins Loan Program in its “Morning Education” newsletter this morning. The email and online newsletter, which is read by thousands, including Congressional staff and other DC “insiders,” highlighted the Perkins Loan Extension Act (HR 2482) from Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Mark Pocan (D-WI). More cosponsors are needed, but the bill enjoys strong bipartisan support with 77 cosponsors (18 Republicans, 59 Democrats).

COHEAO Executive Director Harrison Wadsworth was interviewed for the story and he noted the similarities between the current situation and the debate of 2015 when Perkins was extended for two years. Here is his quote from the article:  “Here we are two years later in exactly the same situation where we were then. HEA hasn’t moved and it doesn’t seem like it’s about to move.”

The story comes as the American Council on Education (ACE), an umbrella group for college presidents, is organizing a letter to show support for continuing the program.  ACE is seeking signatures from institutions of higher education as well as state and regional associations urging the House and Senate to extend the program. The letter can be signed by institutions and associations online.  It is available here.

If you have any questions on ACE’s letter or COHEAO’s efforts to extend the program, please feel free to contact Wes Huffman (whuffman@wpllc.net). The full Politico report is available online.