WASHINGTON, DC – It was reported today that Representative Buck McKeon (R-CA) is backing away from a punitive provision in his Affordability in Higher Education Act that would have penalized students by eliminating access to key college aid, such as work-study and Perkins loans and grants, at institutions that raise their tuition.

Even with the change, said Representative George Miller (D-CA), the Republican proposal still fails to address the primary reason for rising college tuition - that states have pushed higher prices onto students at public institutions, which serve more than three-quarters of all college students. The Republican proposal will not make college more affordable for all students.

“Representative McKeon claims to have backed away from his original plan because of indications that certain colleges and universities are taking action on their own to stop tuition hikes,” said Miller, senior Democrat on the House education committee. “Despite efforts by a number of colleges and universities to make tuition affordable, the facts show that tuition continues to rise rapidly. It is more likely that McKeon abandoned his plan because of the intense criticism it rightly sparked.

“Across the country, states faced with massive budget pressures are cutting classes, raising tuition, trimming faculty, and eliminating services to students,” Miller said.

Specific problems include:

For the past two academic years (2002-03 and 2003-04), 23 states have raised undergraduate tuition and fees at four-year public schools by 10 percent or more per year.

California and Arizona both raised tuition by 37 percent or more in 2003-04.

Alabama, Delaware, Iowa, Missouri, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia and Wisconsin all raised tuition by 15 percent or more this year.

Over the past decade, tuition and fees have outstripped per capita income by 40 percent, and inflation by more than 70 percent.

Last year, tuition at California community colleges increased by more than 60 percent. The governor's budget for this year includes another 44 percent tuition hike for community college students.

As a result of budget cuts, rising tuition and course eliminations, approximately 175,000 college-qualified students were turned away from California's community colleges. Students at both the University of California and the California State University system suffered a 30 percent tuition hike last year and will likely face double digit increases again this year.

“The fact is that college is out of reach for too many college-qualified American students who have worked hard to pursue a higher education,” Miller said. “The remnants of the Republican plan contain rhetoric but no real relief for students and their families. Democrats have a plan that will help states to stop tuition hikes and make college more affordable.”