President Signs Extension of Higher Education Act, HEROES Act

President Bush has signed into law extensions of the Higher Education Act and the HEROES Act.

The current authority for programs under the HEA was extended for three months, until Dec. 31, 2005, to give Congress additional time to complete work on reauthorizing the legislation. House and Senate committees have approved separate versions of reauthorization legislation.

The president also signed a two-year extension, until Sept. 30, 2007, of the HEROES Act. Enacted in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the HEROES Act permits the U.S. secretary of education to excuse military personnel from their federal student-loan obligations while they serve on active duty. The law also grants the education secretary authority to waive or modify federal student-aid requirements to ensure that those affected by war, military operations or national emergencies are not disadvantaged regarding their financial aid because of their status.