Act would lower textbook prices
The College Opportunity and Affordability Act passed despite opposition.
By: Katelyn Johnson
Posted: 2/13/08
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the College Opportunity and
Affordability Act last week, but without an amendment that would have
provided bankruptcy rights to private student loan borrowers.
The final bill, which passed with a vote of 354-58, includes provisions
that will aim to lower textbook prices and revise the Free Application
for Federal Student Aid, as well as a provision that will require
states to allocate a minimum amount of money to higher education.
An amendment to the bill written by Rep. Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.) would
have allowed students to discharge their loans in bankruptcy after five
years in repayment.
The U.S. Public Interest Research Groups, of which CalPIRG is the
state's chapter, issued a statement that said it is "disappointed that
the House chose to stand with big banks instead of students who fall
victim to predatory private student loans."
The amendment failed 279-236.
The bill would require publishers to send more information about
textbook revisions made between editions and other available formats,
such as paperback or unbound.
Newer and more expensive textbook editions are often published with only minor changes from the previous edition.
"I think it's a really good idea that the government is trying to lower
prices," said Chen Tian, a graduate student in industrial and systems
engineering. "I've already spent a lot of money on books."
Under the bill, books and supplemental materials must also be sold unbundled, which could further decrease textbook prices.
The bill would also "work to make the FAFSA consumer-friendly" and "easy for students and parents to read and understand."
"The FAFSA is really confusing," said Tyler Prosser, a undecided
freshman. "There's a lot of tax stuff that you need your parents to
help with, so it's a joint process. I never know if I'm doing it right,
so I would like them to make it easier."
The Bush administration issued a statement that said the new version
would be more complex for some low-income families because of an added
question about the income of dislocated workers.
The new processes would "develop streamlined reapplication forms and processes," according to the bill.
The bill would also require each state's funding for higher education
to equal a minimum of the average of education funding from the last
five years.
"This really is the first time in which the federal government has
recognized that the states play the critical role in making college
affordable," the Association of State Colleges and Universities said
about the bill.
In addition to provisions that would make college more affordable for
students, the bill also contains a provision backed by the
entertainment industry.
The provision states that higher education institutions that take part
in federal financial aid programs will develop "a plan for offering
alternatives to illegal downloading" and "explore technology-based
deterrents to prevent such illegal activity."
Last October, the Recording Industry Association of America sued 36 USC students for illegally sharing music online.
The Association of American Universities opposes this proposition; its
officials say the plan is overly expensive and burdensome.
President Bush needs to approve the bill before it takes effect. The
White House released a statement, which said it "strongly opposes" the
bill, but has not threatened a veto.
© Copyright 2008 Daily Trojan
