WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today the U.S. Department of Education informed him that the Secretary has granted a waiver to Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKCTC), which will allow the school to continue participating in federal student loan programs.
Earlier this year, Senator McConnell secured a provision in the government funding bill to support SKCTC and its students at the school’s five campuses in Cumberland, Harlan, Middlesboro, Pineville, and Whitesburg. Senator McConnell’s provision provided flexibility to the Department of Education to account for difficult economic conditions when calculating a school’s loan default rate, which helps determine which schools are eligible to continue participating in federal student aid programs. Many community colleges rely heavily on funds from federal student aid programs to cover costs for their day-to-day operations. The decision announced today by the department will allow the college to continue participating in federal student aid programs and serving students in the southeastern region of the state.
“This is great news for the thousands of students who attend Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, and I appreciate working with Dr. Vic Adams and Dr. Jay Box to help make this happen. Located in the heart of coal country, SKCTC provides an opportunity to students in Eastern Kentucky who may have no other access to higher education. I want to thank Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos for approving the waiver and for working with me to support students in the Commonwealth,” said Senator McConnell.
“Now that the Department of Education has officially granted Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College’s economically disadvantaged appeal, I want to thank Senator Mitch McConnell for his constant dedication to seeing this issue through to the end. Without Senator McConnell’s efforts, SKCTC would not be able to continue the great work the college is doing to serve its students, businesses and region. Our mission has always been to provide students with opportunities to better their lives and to provide employers with a qualified workforce. Senator McConnell has ensured that this mission will continue,” said Dr. Jay Box, President of Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS).
“On behalf of everyone at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College, I am beyond grateful to Senator Mitch McConnell for his leadership and his loyalty to our students. Thanks to his tenacity in drafting and securing support for this legislation, SKCTC will continue to provide much needed education and job training to build better citizens, a better workforce, a better economy, and a better Kentucky,” said Dr. Vic Adams, President of Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College.
"Because of the leadership of Senator McConnell, the doors of Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College will stay open - helping to ensure continued access to higher education and vital jobs in our region. This announcement comes at a critical juncture after the downturn in the economy. The funding provided through federal student aid programs will help ensure that SKCTC will be able to continue providing young adults in my district a solid education and training programs locally,” said Kentucky State Senator Brandon Smith.
"Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College is a major asset to Harlan, Bell, and Letcher Counties. The college works side by side with us as we work to reinvent ourselves and retrain our people after the downturn in the coal industry. We're thankful to Senator McConnell for championing this legislation that led to the Department of Education’s decision, which will alleviate this major burden which has threatened the long term sustainability of our college during the most difficult financial times this region has ever experienced,” said Dan Mosley, Harlan County Judge Executive.
“I want to sincerely thank and commend Senator McConnell for not only taking the time to listen to our problem but most importantly designing specific legislation to correct it. His legislation paved the way for the Department of Education’s decision on SKCTC’s appeal, which will allow one of our most important community assets to continue to have a positive impact on the region by providing quality education and job trainings for our youth and adults,” said Albey Brock, Bell County Judge Executive.
