The AFT is working with several other education groups to support a bill that would streamline some burdensome regulations associated with the Higher Education Act. Writing to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, AFT legislative director Charlotte Fraas offered AFT's support for the bill, H.R. 4866. In addition, the AFT offered support for two potential amendments to the bill--the repeal of restrictions on student aid eligibility for individuals convicted of drug offenses and an expansion of the student loan forgiveness portion.

Under current law, a student is ineligible for Title IV student aid programs if he or she has been convicted of a drug offense. "Although the intent of this provision was to deter student drug use, its broad interpretation has had the unfortunate effect of denying an education to many students by limiting their access to financial aid," Fraas says. According to the U.S Department of Education, in the 2000-01 academic year, more than 9,000 students were found to be ineligible for financial aid for at least part of the year as a result of this provision. This academic year, more than 14,000 of the 9.8 million students who applied, lost some or all of their financial aid.

The AFT also is supporting the idea of an amendment that would expand eligibility for student loan forgiveness for teachers and increase the loan forgiveness amount. According to Fraas, "The student loan forgiveness program currently provides the benefit to individuals who choose to teach in designated 'high need' areas. The program has helped alleviate the loan burden of many AFT members who choose to work and remain in our inner-city schools or other 'high need' areas."  [Craig Smith]