Media Contact: Alexei Woltornist (202)225-6205

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos announced in the House of Representatives that the Department of Education will reverse its decision to reject education grants due to minor errors, including the 8th District’s Wittenberg University. The news comes less than a month after Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH) led a coalition of 32 members of the U.S. House of Representatives opposing the initial decision and demanding a reconsideration.
 
Earlier this year, the Department of Education rejected 77 TRIO Upward Bound grants because they did not conform to minor, non-substantive guidelines such as line spacing and font type. The Upward Bound Program seeks to increase the educational attainment of low-income students by providing them with aid such as standardized test preparation, tutoring, and tuition assistance.
 
“Today is a victory for common-sense government,” said Davidson. “When I spoke with senior Education Department officials earlier this week, I laid out a common-sense plan to allow the Secretary to reopen consideration of Wittenberg’s grant application in a way that was consistent with the law and with Congressional intent. I am glad they are taking my recommendation and will give these schools an opportunity to be judged on their merits.”
 
Wittenberg University, located in Springfield, Ohio, was poised to lose its Upward Bound funding for the first time in 50 years after double spacing one section of their application. Wittenberg’s Upward Bound program helps over 100 low-income students each year. The university's application will now be reviewed on the basis of its merits.

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