House Passes Bill Aimed at College Costs

[Lone_Star_Dem]

Source: Washington Post

Despite strong criticism from the Bush administration, the House overwhelmingly approved legislation on Thursday that would establish a federal list of the nation’s most expensive colleges and crack down on the way student loan companies try to curry favor with college officials and gain access to their students.

The bill, approved on a bipartisan vote of 354 to 58, broadly seeks to hold down costs at colleges by dissuading them from raising tuition. It would require the federal Education Department to publish a list of the most expensive colleges, and it would cut down on states’ eligibility for new federal grants if the states reduced financing for public colleges.

The administration has opposed many provisions in the measure, including one that would limit the Education Department’s authority to regulate colleges through accreditation. But the White House has stopped short of a veto threat. Similar legislation has passed the Senate.

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle spoke strongly in favor of fighting rising college costs.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/08/education/08education.html?ex=1360213200&en=d0c3d1ebd46d8425&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

[ReformedChris]

1. OK Congress, can you also go after the textbook publishers that use students to rake up profits?

It is absolutely infuriating that textbook publishers get a free pass on how they use "Edition Changes" to wipe out old textbooks while making very insignificant changes to the actual material in the textbook. The most annoying of these are the format textbooks in English. It is asinine to change how to cite a source just to sell a whole new set of overpriced textbooks to strained college students! :grr:

[Roland99]

2. But but but English, Physics, Calculus, etc. change in nature *constantly*!

[caligirl]

4. chugg.com, we rented two expensive new editions this time

saved over 200 this way.

[eppur_se_muova]

6. MD is trying to do just that -- link includes a WaPo article

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=157&topic_id=4964&mesg_id=4964

There was quite a bit of discussion about this on another thread (not my OP) but I couldn't find that one.

[djp2]

7. Get state to limit cost of textbooks

My daughter is at UCLA.
All that is really needed to limit the cost of textbooks, which are now outrageous, is to get the state to limit their cost. Say "No state college or university course may require textbooks costing more than $100 per course." Professors will then HAVE to limit their requirements, publishers will HAVE to drop their prices or find their books not used. Professors could produce their own materials if they were to receive the money themselves (through bookstore sales)..Feasible??

[OzarkDem]

3. Not good enough

Why restrict the enforcement efforts only to the most expensive colleges? Students (and parents) are getting ripped off at low to moderately priced schools too. Is justice only reserved for wealthy students and parents?

They also need to eliminate the third party student loan system. All student loans should return to being administered by the federal government. There's no need to let banks profiteer.

[lovuian]

5. I agree let the student work with the government NOT

the bank