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Senator Emily Good United States Senator for Connecticut //Working to Tackle the Growing Issue of Education with a 3-Pronged Approach://

__DID YOU KNOW:__ College costs have risen by 40% in the past 5 years Only 11% of children from low income families have earned a college education while 52% of children from average high-income families have earned a college education 60% of college graduates are in debt after graduation (with the average debt being $19,000) 20 years ago, Pell Grants covered 55% of costs at a public college or university but only cover 32% today

__MY VIEW ON THE **RISING COSTS OF COLLEGE TUITION **:__

Because of the recent economic recession, education has arisen as one of our nation's most prominent issues. College costs have largely increased and United States seniors are performing at the bottom of math and science courses with competing countries. As President Obama stated in his State of the Union speech, “In a global economy where the most valuable skill you can sell is your knowledge, a good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity – it is a pre-requisite.” In order to keep the United States in the top ranks of global competitiveness, the generation of tomorrow must be educated.

We must perfect the preparation of students for a higher education. There are many who cannot further education; not only because of rising tuition costs but because of a lack of preparation for higher education. I support Obama's Early Assessment Program that includes voluntary tests and distributed results informing students of what they need to do to make sure they are ready to go to college. If proposed, I will make sure Connecticut gets the federal funding we need to support this program.  **The Senate ** A bill to increase the number of American citizens receiving a college education. **IN THE MCGEHEE CONGRESS ** Sponsored by Senator Good of Connecticut Co-Sponsored by Senator St. John of Vermont, Senator Fisher of New Hampshire, Senator Chambers of Nevada, Senator Ortkiese of New York, Senator Tillery of Hawaii
 * 1st Session **
 * S. **
 * April, 2009 **

A Bill A bill to increase the number of American citizens receiving a college education. //Be it enacted by the Members of the McG Congress of the United States of America in Congress assembled,// This Act may be cited as the “Ready Set College Bill” <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">(1) Without children, we have no future (2) With no educated future generation, our economy and society will not be equipped with leaders who can help America prevail as a world leader <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">(3) In the past 5 years college costs have increased by 40% <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">(4) 60% of college graduates leave college in debt with the average debt being $19,000 (5) Slower economic mobility will occur if the education gap is not tightened (6) 11% of children from low income families have a college education while 53% of children from average to high income families have a college education (7) United States seniors perform at the bottom of math and science courses with competing countries (8) The Pell Grant Program awards grants to students with significant need for college tuition based on a “financial need” formula and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education (9) 20 years ago Pell Grants covered 55% of costs at an average public college but only covers 32% today <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; text-align: left;">To ensure the success of America in the 21st century, every American must have the opportunity to afford and attain a college education in order for our nation to be more productive and successful in both the American economy and the global marketplace. <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">(a) A family may receive the fully refundable tax credit (1) if the household income is equal to or less than $100,000 per year (2) if household income earner is an American citizen (b) 1/4 of tuition for all four years of a college tuition will be covered if he or she (1) if the household income is equal to or less than $100,000 per year (2) is an American citizen (3) attends a four year public college or university or attends a four year community college (c) Those who receive the fully refundable tax credit (1) must perform one hundred hours of community service in their community during the school year or summer <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">(a) Only households earning equal to or less than $100,000 per year will have completely refundable tax credits. The first $4,000 of this tax credit will go toward their child’s college tuition (b) The student whose household receives this tax credit must complete one hundred hours of community service during the present school year or proceeding summer (c) One fourth of the total tuition (all four years) for students attending a four year public or community college will be free <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">(d) The federal government will be required to contribute 5% of their funds and state governments required to contribute 8% of their funds to implement M.A.S.S. Grants (Motivate All Students to Study). (e) With M.A.S.S. Grants, local communities must establish at least two organizations offering after school activities, volunteer options, places for youth to study, tutors, or internships by the year 2011. (f) These organizations in local communities will be placed in universities, religious institutions, or libraries. (g) Expand the Pell Grant maximum from $4,050 to $5,100 (h) Students do not have to choose between merit and need based aid/scholarship
 * <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Times New Roman;">SECTION 1. Ready, Set, College **
 * <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Times New Roman;">SECTION 2. FINDINGS **
 * <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Times New Roman;">SECTION 3: PURPOSE **
 * <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Times New Roman;">SECTION 3. ELIGIBILITY. **
 * <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Times New Roman;">SECTION 4. TERMS AND BENEFITS OF SERVICE. **