Rep. Doggett addresses ACC

I delivered my first Austin Community College commencement speech in 1977. In those days, the entire ACC graduating class could sit on the small front ledge at Symphony square. Austin, and its position in the global marketplace, also seemed a lot smaller back then. It was when 8-track cassettes were hi-tech and way before there was "an app for that."

But it was clear from my visit to ACC this summer for its Veteran's Appreciation Day and Open House that some things haven't changed: ACC's commitment to a quality education and its pledge to—as its motto says—help its students start here to get there… wherever "there" may be.

In Congress, I am working to ensure that higher education remains affordable and accessible. This is especially important with a weak economy. I strongly believe that all students should be able to get all of the education for which they are willing to work. Last January, when President Obama announced his economic recovery package, he invited input from Congress on how to make it better. I offered a proposal for you that he accepted.

My proposal means that every student whose family pays up to $2,500 for tuition, textbooks and course materials this year will get the same $2,500 taken off their tax bill next year. Even if a family does not owe that much in taxes, it can still get up to $1,000 back in what is called a refundable tax credit. What does this mean for you? A two-year degree at Austin Community College costs about $3248 over two years for a full-time student. The American Opportunity Tax Credit makes the entire cost of that ACC education tax free. Outside the ACC district, students will have more than half of their tuition credited back to them in the form of tax relief.

This $14 billion higher ed tax cut – together with the $500 increase in Pell Grants to a maximum of $5,550 – represents the largest increase in student financial assistance in recent memory. An additional 346,000 Texas families, who previously received no higher education tax credit, will benefit from this new law.

In the coming weeks, Congress will consider a sweeping reform of the higher education loan system that will help Texas college students. This bill, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, expands student loan programs and simplifies related application forms to ensure students can afford the education for which they qualify. The bill adds $40 billion for Pell Grants, and $3 billion to bolster college access and increase completion rates. By simplifying the loan system and ending subsidies to lenders, these improvements and investments are made at zero cost to taxpayers. We can be fiscally responsible even as we meet our responsibilities to higher education.

I hope that, as a student, you will choose to become involved with government and public service. A wide range of community service opportunities are available and philosophically diverse political organizations, both on campus and in the community, would be enriched by your involvement. Please visit my website at www.house.gov/doggett where you can find helpful information about internship opportunities and student aid, fill out a survey on federal issues, subscribe to receive legislative updates, or send me an e-mail at Lloyd.Doggett@mail.house.gov.

I stand ready to assist you in matters of a federal nature. Have a safe, productive and memorable year here at ACC and let me know what I can do to help you "get there."