JOINT EXPLANATORY STATEMENT OF THE COMMITTEE OF CONFERENCE
The managers on the part of the House and the Senate at the conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the amendment of the Senate to the bill (H.R. 2669), to provide for reconciliation pursuant to section 601 of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2008, submit the following joint statement to the House and the Senate in explanation of the effect of the action agreed upon by the managers and recommended in the accompanying conference report:
The Senate amendment struck all of the House bill after the enacting clause and inserted a substitute text.
The House recedes from its disagreement to the amendment of the Senate with an amendment that is a substitute for the House bill and the Senate amendment. The differences between the House bill, the Senate amendment, and the substitute agreed to in con- ference are noted below, except for clerical corrections, conforming changes made necessary by agreements reached by the conferees, and minor drafting and clarifying changes.
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE
The House bill's short title is the "College Cost Reduction Act."
The Senate amendment provides that the Act may be cited as the "Higher Education Access Act of 2007" and that, unless otherwise indicated, references in the bill are made to the Higher Education Act of 1965.
The House recedes with an amendment to provide a new short title of the "College Cost Reduction and Access Act." The Conferees adopt the Senate amendment as amended by the House.
TITLE I—GRANTS TO STUDENTS IN ATTENDANCE AT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION
SECTION 101. TUITION SENSITIVITY
The House bill (Sec. 101) eliminates the Pell grant "tuition sensitivity" provision that prevents low-income students attending low-cost institutions, such as community colleges, to benefit fully from the Pell Grant. Authorizes and appropriates $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
The Senate amendment (Sec. 101) also eliminates the Pell grant "tuition sensitivity" provision and authorizes and appropriates $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
The House and the Senate recede with an amendment to authorize and appropriate $11,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 to ensure that all eligible students in award year 2007-2008 receive funding. The Conferees concur and adopt the amendment.
