WASHINGTON – Congressman Henry Cuellar helped include over $1.7 billion in the final spending bill to expand student loan and education programs for low-income students and Hispanic student populations, a $200 million increase from FY19. Congressman Cuellar also secured language that will improve the Temporary Expanded Public Services Loan Forgiveness (TEPSLF) program by directing the Department of Education to implement the Government Accountability Office’s recommendations, such as providing more information on how student borrows can submit a better application.

“Higher education is one of the best investments that you can make in your and your country’s future. However, higher education has never been more expensive” said Congressman Cuellar. “For this reason, I fought for additional funding for  vital financial aid programs for low-income and disadvantaged students so everybody has a chance to go to college and pursue their dreams. In addition, I worked hard to secure language in the final spending bill that will help make the loan forgiveness program a more fair and reliable process for the millions of Americans who have chosen careers in public service. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to support initiatives that give students the resources to pay for college and help them land a good-paying job.”