(February 2009) On February 23, Congressman Dave Obey (D-WI), Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, made steps to finish the FY09 Appropriations. The Committee released the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations bill —a product of behind the scenes negotiations between the House, Senate and White House – which would combine nine annual appropriations bills left over from last year. According to Obey, the bill “works in harmony with the economic recovery package, making investments that address the country’s immediate needs while investing in our long term economic strength.”

While Perkins Federal Capital Contributions were not funded, Perkins Loan Cancellations received an additional $2.83 million for a total of $67.2 million. Other student aid programs also received some increases. Pell Grants received an increase of $3.073 billion for a total of $17.288 billion, producing a $119 increase in the maximum award. TRIO Programs increased $19.911 million for a total of $848.1 million; GEAR UP increased $9.789 million for a total of $313.2 million; the Byrd Honors Scholarships received an increase of $358,000, for a total of $40.3 million; Javits Fellowships increased $157,000, for a total of $9.7 million; Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants increased $16.338 million, for a total of $50 million; and the Thurgood Marshall Legal education opportunities received an increase of $105,000, for a total of $3 million.

LEAP, SEOG and Work-Study were all level funded. Work-Study is funded at $980.49 million and under the Higher Education Opportunity Act campuses are now permitted to transfer 25% of annual appropriations of work-study funds to the Perkins Loan fund.

The House plans to vote on the measure later this week and the Senate will follow.

Summaries and bill text are now available on line: http://appropriations.house.gov/

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