Education
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December 13, 2017
“This is another hyper-partisan effort led by the Republican majority that will incredibly make college more expensive and close pathways for young Americans to pursue critical careers that will support our economy,” said Courtney. “If this bill were ever signed into law, it would dismantle programs designed to make college more affordable for middle-class families. One prime example of this is a provision in the bill to close-down the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program that has supported students entering critical professions since its inception 10 years ago. The program allows public service workers such as teachers, police officers, rural doctors, and others to have their student loan debt forgiven after 10 years of work in their occupation. I offered a bipartisan amendment during the committee proceedings to save the PSLF program and expand it to include farmers and veteran service organizations. That effort was backed by nearly 200 organizations such as the National Fraternal Order of Police, National Young Farmers Collation, and the American Legion. Unfortunately, even with the votes of several Republican members of the committee, the amendment ultimately failed by a vote of 19-20."
Issues:
Education
December 6, 2017
“I am pleased to announce that the winners of the 2017 Congressional App Challenge for Connecticut’s Second Congressional District are Gianna Guzzo, Marissa Guzzo, and Alexandra Smith from Suffield,” said Courtney. “We had a number of exceptional submissions to the Second Congressional District App Challenge this year, but our team hailing from Suffield stood out. Our panel of judges from the University of Connecticut were convinced that the winning app showed both an advanced understanding of computer programming and a determination to improve the lives of people suffering with various mental health conditions."
Issues:
Education
Eastern Connecticut
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September 28, 2017
Schools in East Lyme, Norwich and Montville recognized today by federal Department of Education
Issues:
Education
June 27, 2017
“Connecticut Sea Grant has aided local fishermen, shellfish farmers, and maritime conservation efforts in Long Island sound for fifty years,” said Courtney. “Whether it’s jumpstarting a local fishery or connecting local aquaculture producers to local communities, Sea Grant is a vital part of our region’s maritime economy. I am very glad that we were able to secure this funding to help CTSG’s research and education efforts.”
Issues:
Economy & Jobs
Education
June 6, 2017
“With the cost of a college education and the debt needed to afford it growing every year, Americans are demanding action to lower the crushing cost of higher education. Unfortunately, the President’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 budget proposal would make college more expensive,” wrote the members. “As you know, subsidized student loans are utilized by low-income undergraduate students, many of whom would not otherwise be able to attend an institution of higher education. In fact, in the last school year, over six million students borrowed through this program. Subsidized student loans allow a student to earn a degree without needing to burden themselves with the crushing costs of student loan interest rates. We owe it to the next generation of college students to push for student loan policies that will not hold them back."
Issues:
Education
June 6, 2017
"“It’s clear that families preparing to send their kids off to college are worried about what the changes in President Trump’s budget might mean for their bottom line,” said Courtney. “With the level of student debt soaring right alongside the cost of a college degree, there is simply no excuse for undermining federal programs that are intended to relieve some of the burdens on families. Keeping college affordable must be a top priority in Washington. I am urging President Trump to reconsider many of the proposals in his budget, particularly those impacting access to college aid, and to uphold his campaign promises to fight for the middle-class rather than cutting their lifelines."
Issues:
Education
May 17, 2017
“A college education is one of the most valuable investments a family can make but rising costs often make it difficult for students to attend without borrowing enormous amounts of debt,” said Courtney. “Compounding the issue for families is the fact that student loans often come with higher interest rates than mortgages, car loans, and other forms of consumer lending which can be refinanced. This bill will help ease the burden of student debt by finally allowing undergraduate borrowers to refinance their loans and take advantage of today’s new lower rates. Student debt hinders our economy because it delays or prevents borrowers from making other major investments including purchasing a home, starting a business, or simply saving for retirement. A college degree has become a critical part of securing a good-paying career and that is why keeping college affordable must be a top priority in Washington. I will continue to work to keep the dream of college within reach for Connecticut families.”
Issues:
Economy & Jobs
Education
February 24, 2017
NORWICH, CT —Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, is announcing that Valerie Nelson, the longtime principal of the Charles Barnum Elementary School in Groton who retired in June of 2015, will be his guest for President Donald Trump's upcoming address to a joint-session of Congress. Earlier this year, the Barnum school received a National Blue Ribbon Award from the U.S. Department of Education for exceptional performance in closing the achievement gap.
Issues:
Education
September 14, 2016
“Advanced manufacturing opportunities in aerospace, maritime, and even healthcare are happening from coast to coast, and the question of the day for many employers is whether our education and job training systems are ready to fill the need. Recent updates to K-12 and job training programs signed into law by President Obama in 2014 and 2015 built a positive platform to address this challenge, and passage of this bill for tech school programs will add to that capability."
Issues:
Economy & Jobs
Education
September 8, 2016
“In the wake of ITT going out of business nationwide, we should be doing everything we can to make sure students and families are aware of the resources available to them through the Department of Education,” said Courtney. “I am pleased that the Department of Education is going to great lengths to help former ITT students move on with their education and lives. I would encourage all students who attended ITT, whether at one of the physical campuses or online, to review information available through the Department to determine if they may be eligible for relief such as student loan discharge or help with transferring earned credits to new institutions. If students are having trouble finding this information, they can contact my Norwich office and we will help point them in the right direction."
Issues:
Education