AT A TIME when the need for a well-educated, well-trained work force is more critical than ever, the rising cost of college tuition is on the minds of Nevada students and their parents.

Southern Nevada residents who want to stay close to home often attend the Community College of Southern Nevada or the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. However the sky-rocketing cost of attendance is making the dream of pursing higher education more difficult.

The average cost of attendance for a four-year public university in Nevada has increased almost $3000 from the fall of 2000 to the fall of 2005—an almost 20% increase. Plus, while the cost of tuition continues to rise, federal financial aid like Pell Grants and student loans are being slashed.

I am concerned that a lack of grants and affordable loans may deter many students from attending college.

Rather than making it more difficult for students to attend school, it should be our priority in government to help them.

I am a co-sponsor of the Quality Education for All Act (S. 15). This bill would help students and their families pay for college by increasing the maximum Pell Grant award, making the HOPE and Lifetime Learning tax credits refundable, extending and tripling the tax deductions for college tuition, and creating a tax credit for student loan interest expenses for low and middle-income families.

Additionally, Congress will soon consider the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, which presents us with the opportunity to improve and implement student loan and other programs benefiting higher education.

A strong education has leveled the playing field and opened doors of opportunity for countless people. We must do all we can to keep the doors to higher education open.

I will continue fighting to ensure that every Nevada student has access to a college education.