U.S. Rep. Phil Hare (D) made a stop at Western Illinois University Thursday afternoon to promote the recent reauthorization of the Higher Education Act and the benefits it holds for rural communities.  The legislation was reauthorized through 2013.

Hare said the Higher Education Act, which aims to make college more affordable and accessible, now contains several provisions that directly benefits rural schools and communities.

The legislation includes, Hare said, rural community benefits such as student  loan forgiveness up to $10,000 for college graduates who serve in high-need rural areas that have difficulty recruiting qualified individuals from certain professions.

The list of professions that are qualified as high need under the legislation include early childhood, math and science education, nursing and law enforcement. 

"I think we want to invest in our young people and invest in the Midwest," Hare said.
Under the reauthorized education act, Pell Grants are now available to students year round, and Hare said that will help ease the cost of college for low-income students.

The education act also includes provisions that make the process of applying for financial aid easier by simplifying the paperwork, and increases scholarships and other financial for veterans and military families.

WIU President Al Goldfarb introduced Hare at the event, mentioning WIU programs that already make college more affordable, such as the four-year tuition guarantee, for graduate students as well as undergraduates.

"We really believe in this part of our program, to make college more affordable," Goldfarb said.