Presidential Documents

65863 

Federal Register 

Vol. 79, No. 215 

Thursday, November 6, 2014 

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 9203 of October 31, 2014 

National College Application Month, 2014 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

With hard work and determination, a great education should be within 

everyone’s reach. At the heart of America’s promise is the belief that we 

all deserve an equal opportunity to get ahead, and today more than ever— 

as we face greater global competition in a knowledge-based economy— 

a college degree is the surest path to a stable, middle-class life. During 

National College Application Month, we come together to encourage all 

students to take control of their own destiny by applying to continue their 

education beyond high school and to let them know that no matter where 

they come from or who they are—it does not matter if they are the first 

in their family to apply to college or if they have been told that they 

are simply not college material—there is an opportunity for them. 

This fall, high school seniors across our Nation are making the decision 

to invest in their future by earning a post-secondary degree or credential, 

and as they navigate the college admissions process, my Administration 

is dedicated to supporting them with the tools and resources they need 

to succeed. To help more families afford a college degree, we have expanded 

grants, tax credits, and loans and invested in programs that help students 

manage and reduce the burdens of debt after they graduate. We created 

the College Scorecard to make it easier for students and families to compare 

colleges and find ones that are well-suited to their needs. And to help 

students better understand the costs of college and more easily compare 

aid packages offered by different institutions, we developed the Financial 

Aid Shopping Sheet. To access these and other resources—including College 

Navigator and a tool that helps determine the net price of any given college— 

Americans can go to www.WhiteHouse.gov/ReachHigher. 

Applying to college is hard work, but it is only the beginning of a journey 

that requires persistence and focus. A college degree unlocks pathways 

to opportunity; it prepares today’s students for the jobs of the future and 

is a requirement for the educated workforce and informed citizenry our 

country needs to create growth, bolster our economy, and strengthen our 

democracy. That is why as a Nation, we must lift up our students, help 

them achieve their greatest potential, and work together toward an important 

goal: to lead the world in college completion. 

This month, we celebrate the limitless possibility within every child. We 

honor the teachers, school counselors, and parents who help students apply 

to college. We recognize the institutions that are taking steps to ensure 

they reach the best and brightest students, regardless of their background, 

and all those who ensure the next generation is prepared for success, including businesses who open their doors to interns and the alumni, foundations, 

and faith-based organizations that provide scholarships. Let us remind all 

students that it is never too early to start planning for their future or 

reaching for their dreams. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States 

of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 

and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2014 

as National College Application Month. I call upon public officials, educators, 


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65864 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 215 / Thursday, November 6, 2014 / Presidential Documents 

parents, students, and all Americans to observe this month with appropriate 

ceremonies, activities, and programs designed to encourage students to make 

plans for and apply to college. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day 

of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand fourteen, and of the 

Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtyninth. 

[FR Doc. 2014–26486 

Filed 11–5–14; 8:45 am] 

Billing code 3295–F5 


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