Higher Education Act of 1965

The Higher Education Act of 1965 was legislation signed into United States law on November 8, 1965 as part of President Lyndon Johnson's Great Society domestic agenda. The law was intended “to strengthen the educational resources of our colleges and universities and to provide financial assistance for students in post secondary and higher education.” It increased federal money given to universities, created scholarships and low-interest loans for students, and established a National Teachers Corps.

The Higher Education Act of 1965 was reauthorized in 1968, 1972, 1976, 1980, 1986, 1992, and 1998. Current authorization for the programs in the Higher Education Act expires at the end of December 2006. Before each reauthorization, Congress amends additional programs, changes the language and policies of existing programs, or makes other changes. For example, the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) was first authorized under the Higher Education.