Norton Urges Colleges and Universities Not to Notify DCTAG Students About Payment Delays

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) wrote today to all the colleges and universities with D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant program (DCTAG) students, and urged them to issue no late payment notices or penalties to DCTAG students due to congressional delay. "This delay is entirely attributable to the Congress, not the students," Norton wrote. "However, there can be no doubt that funds owed by the federal government will be forthcoming. The CR that will cover the remainder of the fiscal year has been passed by both the House and the Senate, and we expect the president to sign it shortly. These students are away from home, away from their support systems, and often still have to work to make ends meet. It would be a shame to worry these students or their families about a financial matter that will soon be rectified."

Under the CR passed by Congress this week, DCTAG will receive the same $30 million in fiscal year 2013 that it received in fiscal year 2012, even though President Obama and Norton requested, and the Senate Appropriations Committee had approved, $35 million for the program. DCTAG provides up to $10,000 annually toward the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at public four-year colleges and universities, and up to $2,500 annually toward tuition at private colleges in the D.C. region, Historically Black Colleges and Universities nationwide, and two-year colleges. DCTAG has doubled college attendance among students from the District, and is considered by many experts to be the most important workforce development program in the city.

The full text of Norton's memo follows.

MEMORANDUM

Dear Financial Aid Officer:

I appreciate that there are students attending your institution whose tuition is partially or completely funded through my bill (P.L. 106-98, as amended) that created the District of Columbia Tuition Assistance Grant program (DCTAG).

I understand that many institutions have been notified about the delays in some DCTAG tuition payments this spring. This delay is entirely attributable to the Congress, not the students. As you probably know, the federal government has been operating under a continuing resolution (CR), which has interfered with the normal way the program administrator makes payments to colleges and universities for DCTAG students. However, there can be no doubt that funds owed by the federal government will be forthcoming. The CR that will cover the remainder of the fiscal year has been passed by both the House and the Senate, and we expect the president to sign it shortly.

In the meantime, I ask that you refrain from issuing any notice of late payment, penalties, or similar notice to DCTAG students. These students are away from home, away from their support systems, and often still have to work to make ends meet. It would be a shame to worry these students or their families about a financial matter that will soon be rectified.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter, and I ask that you give full and fair consideration to this request, consistent with applicable law, rules, and regulations.

Sincerely,

Eleanor Holmes Norton

Published: March 21, 2013