WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 16, 2018) – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) welcomed to the U.S. Capitol today Dr. Jay Box, president of Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS). President Box thanked Senator McConnell for his continued efforts to support Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKCTC) and their students at their five campuses in Cumberland, Harlan, Middlesboro, Pineville, and Whitesburg.
Last week, Senator McConnell secured a number of important Kentucky priorities in the Bipartisan Budget Act, including a provision that will support schools like SKCTC by providing flexibility to the U.S. Department of Education to account for economic conditions when deciding which schools may appeal for continued participation in federal student aid programs.
“SKCTC, located in the heart of coal country, provides an opportunity to students in eastern Kentucky who may have no other access to higher education,”Senator McConnell said. “If students and graduates are unable to find jobs in hard-hit regions, they are unable to pay off their loans and not everyone can afford to move to a different region to pursue higher education or to find a job upon graduation. Economic factors, such as these, are outside of the control of the schools in that region which are simply trying to help students succeed. I’m glad this provision I secured gives SKCTC and schools like it the chance to appeal to the Department of Education, and I’m hopeful their appeal is successful.”
“I was proud to have the opportunity to meet with Senator McConnell to thank him in person for his leadership in securing this opportunity for our appeal and for his continued support,” President Box said. “We hope for a successful appeal so that we can continue to help students in the community who need it most.”
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