The U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation that puts billions of dollars into the hands of students instead of banks and lenders.

H.R.3221—the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act—was approved Sept. 17 by a vote of 253-171.

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT), UUP’s national affiliate, hailed the bill’s passage as a step in the right direction for working families.

“We applaud the U.S. House of Representatives’ approval of this legislation, which correctly redirects savings to make it easier for the neediest students and their families to afford college,” AFT President Randi Weingarten said.

The Obama administration said the measure will save $80 billion over 10 years. The bill would use half that amount to increase the maximum annual Pell grant scholarship from $5,350 to $5,550 in 2010 and to $6,900 by 2019.

The bill now goes to the Senate, where the AFT is hoping to improve language regarding the loss of full-time tenured faculty positions.

“Unless we take steps to reverse course, this loss of full-time, tenure-track faculty will greatly impair the ability of our colleges and universities to reach the national goals Congress has set for them,” Weingarten said.

— Donald Feldstein