Coalition Letter on Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations (1/24/22)

The Task Force on American Innovation, of which CGS is a member, sent a letter to appropriations leadership regarding the importance of federally funded research in the physical sciences and engineering. Given the urgent need to recommit our nation to prioritizing science and technology research and the increasing global competition we face in emerging technologies, we strongly encourage Congress to complete the FY22 appropriations process in a timely manner.

CGS Joins Coalition Letter on International Education (12/10/21)

CGS joined other higher education associations and social science organizations to support the inclusion of reauthorization provisions for international education programs in the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act.

CGS Joins Coalition Letter in Support of USICA (11/24/21)

On November 23, the Coalition for National Science Funding sent a letter of thanks to Congressional Leadership for their plans to move to conference the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA) with House-passed authorization legislation for the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy's Office of Science.

Coalition Letter on Department of Veterans' Affairs Rounding Out Rule (11/19/21)

CGS sent a letter with 33 other organizations to Congress regarding the inclusion of rounding out language in legislation to ensure that more student veterans can maintain full-time benefits during the last term of their program. Without the 'rounding out’ fix to the recent Veterans' Affairs rulemaking, these students will be forced into making life-altering decisions, such as abruptly relocating, taking on additional work or a new job, or accumulating even more debt through student loans, that will undoubtedly impact their ability to complete their studies.

CGS Joins Coalition Letter in Strong Support of Robust Funding Levels for National Science Foundation (11/9/21)

On November 2, members of the Coalition for National Science Funding sent a letter to appropriators regarding support for National Science Foundation (NSF) funding in Fiscal Year 2022. NSF investments are key to bolstering U.S. innovation and competitiveness by funding highly meritorious curiosity-driven research; building and fostering U.S. STEM education and workforce programs; supporting cutting-edge facilities that enable the work of scientists and engineers; and addressing the most pressing issues of our time.

CGS and Higher Education Community Thanks Congress for their Support of Student Veterans (10/21/21)

On October 21, the Higher Education community sent thank you letters to Members of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs for their continued support of student veterans. Specifically, the community thanked Committee Members for the introduction of the Student Veteran COVID-19 Protection Act (H.R. 5509) and the Responsible Education Mitigating Options and Technical Extensions (REMOTE) Act (H.R. 5545). Here are the thank you letters for H.R. 5509 and H.R. 5545.

CGS Joins Letter Urging Flexibility in Travel Policies for International Students and Scholars (10/15/21)

On October 14, CGS joined other higher education associations in a sending a letter to the White House and the Centers for Disease Control concerning international students, scholars, and researchers. Specifically, the letter urges the Biden Administration to allow these students, scholars, and researchers, who are from countries where the COVID vaccine is not widely available, to enter the United States.

CGS Joins Letter in Support of Afghan Students and Scholars (9/24/21)

On September 23, CGS joined other Higher Education associations in sending a letter the House and Senate Leadership requesting their support for legislation to assist students and scholars displaced by the crisis in Afghanistan. 

CGS Joins Letter Urging Technical Corrections to Laws Concerning Veterans Benefits (9/23/21)

On September 22, CGS joined other Higher Education associations in sending a letter to the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees. Specifically, the letter urges technical corrections to the Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 and the Training in High-demand Roles to Improve Veterans Employment Act.

CGS Sends Letter to House Leadership on the Budget Reconciliation Act (09/13/21)

On September 13, CGS sent a letter to House Leadership on the FY22 Budget Reconciliation Act: Build Back Better Act. This letter urges the inclusion of legislative language that would provide income-eligible graduate students, who received Pell Grant support as undergraduates, the ability to apply remaining semesters of Pell support towards a graduate degree. 

CGS Joins Letter Urging Congress to Legislate Protections for DACA (08/04/21)

On August 4, CGS joined the higher education community on a letter urging Congress to enact permanent, legal protections for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients.

CGS Joins Letter of Support for the House Appropriations FY22 Labor-HHS-Education Bill (07/14/21)

On July 14, CGS joined a community letter supporting the House Appropriations Committee's legislation that provides FY 2022 funding for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.

CGS Joins Letter of Support for International and Foreign Language Studies (06/28/21)

On June 28, CGS joined the Coalition for International Education on a letter to the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee recommending Fiscal Year 2022 funding for HEA-Title VI and Fulbright-Hays programs.

CGS Joins Community Requests for FY22 Appropriations to Fund Higher Education Programs (06/11/21)

On June 11, CGS joined the higher education community on a letter to House Appropriators requesting fiscal year (FY) 2022 funding for programs of interest to graduate education and research, including $35 million for Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need.

CGS Joins Letter of Support for International Education and Foreign Language Studies (05/12/21)

On May 12, CGS joined the Coalition for International Education on a letter to the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee supporting Fiscal Year 2022 funding for HEA-Title VI and Fulbright-Hays programs.

CGS Letter Supporting NSF for the Future Act (05/03/21)

On May 3, CGS sent a letter to members of the House Science Committee endorsing the National Science Foundation (NSF) for the Future Act, which would make meaningful improvements to graduate STEM education and research training,

CGS Joins Letter in Support for International and Foreign Language Education (04/27/21)

On April 27, CGS joined the Coalition for International Education on a letter to Senate leadership supporting international and foreign language education through Title VI reauthorization in upcoming Senate competitiveness legislation.

CGS Joins Letters to Congress on Federal Student Loan Origination Fees (04/19/21)

On April 19, CGS joined community letters to congressional leadership and to leaders of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee in support of S. 847, the Student Loan Tax Elimination Act, which would eliminate costly origination fees on federal student loans disbursed on or after March 27, 2020.

CGS Endorses James Kvaal to serve as the Under Secretary in the Department of Education (04/14/21)

On April 14, CGS joined the higher education community on a letter to Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions leadership in support of James Kvaal who has been nominated to serve as the Under Secretary in the  Department of Education.

CGS Joins Request for $1.51B for HRSA in FY22 (03/31/21)

On March 31, CGS joined a community letter urging Congress to provide $1.51 billion for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Title VII health professions and Title VIII nursing workforce development programs for FY 2022. (03/31/21)

CGS Joins Request $35 Million for GAANN in FY 2022 Appropriations (3/17/21)

On March 17, CGS joined the Student Aid Alliance on a FY 2022 appropriations request letter to Congress, including $35 million for the Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) program.

CGS Joins Letter to Congressional Leadership on the American Rescue Plan (3/15/21)

On March 15, CGS joined the higher education community on a letter thanking Democratic leaders for passing the American Rescue Plan Act (H.R. 1319) which provides significant assistance for postsecondary institutions and students.

CGS Sends Letters to House and Senate on the Supporting Early-Career Researchers Act (3/11/21)

On March 11, CGS sent a letter to leaders of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology endorsing the Supporting Early-Career Researchers Act (H.R. 144), which would establish a 2-year postdoctoral fellowship program through the National Science Foundation to support early-career scientists whose employment prospects have been affected by COVID-19. On February 23, CGS sent a letter to Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) endorsing the companion legislation in the Senate.

CGS Joins Letter to Senate Leaders Supporting the COVID-19 Reconciliation Budget Package (3/2/21)

On March 2, CGS joined the higher education community on a letter to Senate leaders voicing support for the reconciliation package that would provide $40 billion for students and institutions.

CGS Joins Letter in Support of the Dream Act (2/22/21)

On February 22, CGS joined the higher education community on a letter to Senate leadership in support of the bipartisan Dream Act (S.264).

CGS Endorses House and Senate RISE Act Reintroduction (2/9/21)

On February 9, CGS sent letters to the House and Senate cosponsors of the bipartisan Research Investment to Spark the Economy (RISE) Act, H.R.869/S.289, which would provide roughly $25 billion in additional support for the research enterprise in light of COVID-19.

CGS Joins Letter  in Support of COVID-19 Relief for Higher Education Students and Institutions (2/8/21)

On February 8, CGS joined a community letter to the leaders of the House Committee on Education and Labor in support of the $40 billion in emergency relief for institutions and students included in the FY21 budget resolution’s reconciliation instructions.

CGS Joins Letter to Congress on Emergency Relief for Science and Research (1/27/21)

On January 27, CGS joined the Coalition for National Science Funding on a letter requesting Congress include $3 billion in emergency relief funding for the National Science Foundation in future COVID-19 relief legislation.

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Katherine Hazelrigg (202) 461-3888 / khazelrigg@cgs.nche.edu

Washington, DC – Today, the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) recognized Representative Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Representative Rodney Davis (IL-13) with their inaugural Congressional Champion Award during CGS’s 60th Anniversary Annual Meeting, held virtually December 2-4. Granted to two bipartisan members of Congress, the award acknowledges the remarkable contributions each has made toward advancing graduate education in the federal arena. “We are extremely grateful for Congressman Davis’ and Congresswoman Kuster’s ongoing support for graduate students,” said Suzanne T. Ortega, CGS president. “Each demonstrates a commitment to increasing access to graduate education, which benefits individuals from communities across the country and ensures we have a workforce armed with the knowledge and skills to ignite innovation and find solutions to today’s challenges.”

Representative Kuster led the introduction of the Expanding Access to Graduate Education Act (H.R. 3334), which would provide former Pell Grant recipients the opportunity to apply remaining semesters of Pell Grant support not exhausted during their undergraduate education towards their first post-baccalaureate degree. True to the spirit of the Pell Grant program, this legislation would help ensure that qualified, low-income students would have a better chance of pursuing graduate education. We applaud Representative Kuster who worked to introduce the bill alongside her colleagues from both sides of the aisle.

“In order to succeed in the 21st century, the United States needs a highly-educated and skilled workforce,” said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. “The Expanding Access to Graduate Education Act will open the doors of graduate education to more Americans and provide opportunities for them to get ahead. I will continue my efforts to ensure every American can access the education and job training and they need to thrive in the 21st century economy. I’m honored to receive this award alongside my colleague, Congressman Rodney Davis, and look forward to collaborating with him on this important issue moving forward.”

Representative Davis has fought tirelessly to preserve and expand certain tax provisions so that individuals and employers can utilize them toward academic pursuits. He has introduced and is an original cosponsor of several bills that support this endeavor, including championing legislation that would expand employer-provided educational assistance to include payments of qualified education loans. Additionally, Congressman Davis has lent his support to international students and the Optional Practical Training program, elevating their contributions to the U.S. at a time when the pandemic has created challenges for international graduate student recruitment and retention.

“I’m proud to represent the campuses of 8 universities and colleges and 5 community colleges in Congress,” said Representative Rodney Davis. “Graduate education and students help our communities grow culturally and economically and are vital to our nation’s success. In this Congress, we’ve supported international students bringing their talents to America and enacted innovative programs to make college more affordable and reduce student debt, but we have more work to do. I’m honored to receive this award from the Council of Graduate Schools because supporting higher education has always been a top priority of mine since coming to Congress. I’d like to thank the Council for all of their great work, and I look forward to continuing our bipartisan collaboration to support graduate education and students across the country.”

CGS, and its membership of nearly 500 institutions of higher education across the United States and Canada, thank Representatives Kuster and Davis for their advocacy and look forward to working with them and their staff in the 117th Congress.

On November 20, CGS joined 45 other higher education organizations on a community letter to the Biden administration's transition team detailing regulatory priorities for higher education, including Title IX reform, preservation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, protections for international students, and more.

The CGS Congressional Champion Award recognizes members of Congress who demonstrate remarkable work in championing graduate education through the federal policy process. This distinction honors up to two members of either the House of Representatives or the Senate, annually. The selection process will carefully weigh the efforts of a candidate’s tenure in Congress and will be a non-partisan process. The award will carry no monetary recognition and will adhere to the House and Senate Ethics Committees’ rules on gift giving. 

Eligibility for Selection

To be selected for the CGS Congressional Champion Award, the member of Congress must:

• Be serving in Congress at the time the award is slated to be presented to him/her;
• Have demonstrated strong advocacy for graduate education issues related to CGS’s Federal Policy Agenda (ex- introduced legislation, gone on record supporting graduate education during a Congressional hearing, served in a leadership role on a committee of jurisdiction or Congressional caucus that advanced graduate education issues);
• Not be a prior recipient of the CGS Congressional Champion Award.

2020 Recipients

Representative Annie Kuster (NH-02) led the introduction of the Expanding Access to Graduate Education Act (H.R. 3334), which would provide former Pell Grant recipients the opportunity to apply remaining semesters of Pell Grant support not exhausted during their undergraduate education towards their first post-baccalaureate degree. True to the spirit of the Pell Grant program, this legislation would help ensure that qualified, low-income students would have a better chance of pursuing graduate education. We applaud Representative Kuster who worked to introduce the bill alongside her colleagues from both sides of the aisle.

Representative Rodney Davis (IL-13) has fought tirelessly to preserve and expand certain tax provisions so that individuals and employers can utilize them toward academic pursuits. He has introduced and is an original cosponsor of several bills that support this endeavor, including championing legislation that would expand employer-provided educational assistance to include payments of qualified education loans. Additionally, Congressman Davis has lent his support to international students and the Optional Practical Training program, elevating their contributions to the U.S. at a time when the pandemic has created challenges for international graduate student recruitment and retention.

See the press release for further details.

On September 30, CGS sent a letter of support to the original cosponsors of H.R. 8044, which would provide the National Science Foundation funding to provide postdoctoral fellowships for early-career researchers whose employment prospects may have been impacted by COVID-19. 

This page is designed to provide information on COVID-19 legislative and regulatory developments that may be relevant to your graduate programs and students. CGS will continue to update information as new legislation is introduced and regulatory guidance is released. CGS’s requests can also be found below.

Resources on the latest Coronavirus Relief Legislation

Summary of Key Elements for Graduate Education in the American Rescue Plan (3/11/21)

CGS has created a summary of key provisions included in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which President Biden signed into law on March 11, 2021. The legislation provides roughly $1.9 trillion in economic relief and $40 billion for colleges and universities. 

Coronavirus Response and Relief Appropriations Act (12/22/2020)

CGS has created a summary highlighting key provisions in the Coronavirus Response and Relief Appropriations Act, housed within the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, and compares the provisions to those established in the CARES Act. The legislation passed the Senate and the House on December 21 and is expected to be signed by President Trump. 

Summary of Key Elements in the Emergency Coronavirus Relief Act (12/15/2020)

CGS has created a summary highlighting key provisions in the Emergency Coronavirus Relief Act and compares the provisions to those established in the CARES Act. This bipartisan bill is anticipated to be the most likely compromise to address COVID-19 before the end of the year and 116th Congress. The document will be updated as new developments are made.

Resources on the HEALS Act

Resources on the HEROES Act

Resources following CARES Act Passage

CGS's Requests to Congress and the Administration