Federal Higher-Education Spending Levels Remain Unsettled

The U.S. Congress will wait until after the Nov. 5 elections to determine 2003 federal spending levels for student-aid and other higher-education programs. Congress adjourned last week for the election break without completing action on appropriations for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1. Instead, Congress approved a continuing resolution to fund the government at 2002 levels through Nov. 22.

Although the Senate Appropriations Committee already has approved a 2003 spending measure that includes a $100 increase in the maximum Pell Grant, the bill still must come to a vote before the full Senate. House appropriators have yet to tackle their version of the 2003 spending bill for higher education.

Congress is scheduled to reconvene on Nov. 12.