Brady Pushing to Expand Hope Scholarship Tax Credit

Tax Credit would cover books, supplies, and room and board

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- At the urging of Texas community colleges, U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady introduced legislation (H.R. 5269) on Thursday, February 7, 2008 in Congress to allow college students – or their parents – to include the costs of books and supplies, room and board, and child care expenses in the Hope Scholarship Tax Credit.

Currently the Hope Scholarship Tax Credit, which allows taxpayers to claim up to $1,650 a year for the first two years of college, is limited to tuition and fees paid to the college. But Brady and community colleges argue that other costs are even more expensive and should be counted toward the credit.

According to the American Association of Community Colleges, this year the average yearly tuition for a full-time community college student was $2,361; yet the full cost is over $13,000 when room and board, books, supplies, transportation and other expenses are included.

“Everything we can do to make college more affordable, especially in those critical first two years, we should do,” said Brady, whose district includes the Lone Star College District and its many campuses across north Harris and Montgomery counties.

“Books, supplies, housing, and child care expenses add up quickly. Under this bill hundreds of thousands of community college students and their parents would save money,” said Brady.

The bill is supported by the American Association of Community Colleges and the Lone Star College System.

The Hope Scholarship Tax Credit allows students and families to off-set any tax liability by claiming a credit for educational expenses, up to a maximum benefit of $1,650 per student. Under current law, the expenses are limited to tuition and fees. Eligible students must be attending college on at least a half-time basis for one academic period, and working toward a degree, certificate, or credential, and the credit can only be claimed during the first two years of study. Those students with a federal or state felony drug conviction are not eligible, nor are higher-income individuals.

“Keeping young Americans in college and encouraging others to enter college is vital to maintaining America’s competitive edge in the global marketplace, and my bill to expand the Hope Scholarship Tax Credit is a critical step in the right direction,” Said Brady.

Congressman Kevin Brady serves as a Member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, which is responsible for writing tax policy.