Higher Education Act Reauthorization

Urge your U.S. Representative to modernize the Higher Education Act (HEA) in order to reflect the needs of the modern college student population and make higher education more accessible to all students - including millions of “nontraditional” female students.

HEA is up for reauthorization in the 109th Congress. While both the House and Senate are currently working on drafting HEA legislation, Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) has introduced the College Access and Opportunity Act (H.R. 609) in the House. AAUW believes that although this bill maintains many important programs for college students, it does not adequately invest in helping women - particularly nontraditional female students - attain a college education.

AAUW believes that the most important goal of HEA reauthorization should be bringing the bill up to date with the modern college student. This means updating financial aid, broadening access to child care, and providing funding for support service programs offering counseling, mentoring, tutoring, and other services to help nontraditional students succeed.