News Releases

September 4, 2007 – New Rochelle, NY – Speaking on the Iona College campus today, U.S. Representatives John Hall (D-NY19) and Nita Lowey (D-NY18) discussed their efforts to push for more tax breaks to help families paying college costs by cosponsoring the Deductibility and Incentives to Promote Learning Opportunities and Maximize Assistance Act (DIPLOMA Act). Standing outside the Robert V. La Penta Student Union with students and Iona President Br. James Liguori, the representatives said that Hudson Valley incomes are not keeping pace with the rising costs of living, causing more of a burden for families paying for college.

Data released last week by the Census Bureau shows the median household income in New York rose by less than 1% from 2000 to 2006, leaving New Yorkers making today basically what they made almost a decade ago. At the same time, health insurance, gasoline, home heating, local property taxes and college costs have all increased, squeezing working families on all sides.

“When the costs of living are rising, but income is basically staying flat, the door is slamming shut in the face of middle class families that have worked hard, saved, played by the rules, and yet are still faced with the prospect that they might not be able to pay for their kids college,” said Hall. “No parent should have to choose between paying for their child’s tuition or their health insurance.”

“The rising cost of college tuition is making it difficult for students to afford the education that they deserve,” said Lowey. “Congress has already begun taking steps to make college more affordable by raising the maximum Pell Grant and by lowering the interest rate for student loans, but we must do more. Tax deductions for higher education tuition, room, board, and fees would help ensure that every student who wants to attend college will have the opportunity to do so.”

Br. Liguori noted that 80 percent of Iona College’s student population receives financial aid. "If there's one thing that keep me up at night, it's how to keep Iona College affordable," Liguori said. "So, to say that that is an important bill would be an understatement. ... Anything that can help is welcome."

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For questions or more information please contact:
Cecilia Donohoe
Public Relations Office
Iona College, 715 North Avenue, New Rochelle, N.Y. 10801
tel: (914) 633-2005 fax: (914) 637-2711
cdonohoe@iona.edu

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