08/19/2008

President Signs Higher Education Opportunity Act

Grants Loan Forgiveness to WIC Professionals

National WIC Association
2001 S Street, NW, Suite 580
Washington, DC  20009
Tel. 202.232.5492
Fax 202.387.5281
http://www.nwica.org/
14 August 2008

President Signs Higher Education Opportunity Act - Grants Loan Forgiveness to WIC Nutrition Professionals

In a victory for the National WIC Association (NWA) and our membership, the White House today signed into law the Higher Education Opportunity Act which among other provisions grants student loan forgiveness to WIC nutrition professionals.  The Act, passed by the House on 31 July by a wide 380-49 vote margin and by the Senate on the same day by an equally wide vote margin of 83-8, was presented to the President on 6 August for signature.

The law specifically provides for loan forgiveness under Sec. 430 paragraph (b) (10) for: (10) NUTRITION PROFESSIONALS- The individual-- (A) is a licensed, certified, or registered dietician who has completed a degree in a relevant field; and (B) is employed full-time as a dietician with an agency of the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children under section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786).

Congratulations to all who advocated for this change, especially the NWA Legislative Committee and Local Agency and Nutrition Coordinators' Section who insured that it was a legislative priority of the Association. Please go to: http://www.paramountcommunication.com/nwica/Higher_Ed_Act_Sec430_Language_14August2008.pdf for a PDF of the complete language for Sec. 430.