Senate Okays NDEA Bill; Harvard's Share May Rise

The Senate yesterday sent to President Johnson a $1.8 billion bill broadening the National Defense Education Act and extending it for three years. The bill will almost certainly mean a sharp rise in NDEA grants to the University.

The House passed the compromise version 320-20 on Thursday. The Senate acted by voice vote.

The bill was the last in a series of important education bills to be passed by the 88th Congress and the 23rd of President Johnson's 30 "must" bills, which he submitted in June.

Since the bill removes the $400,000 ceiling on grants to any one institution, Harvard is expected to apply for and get much more than the $360,000 it received last year.

Although exact figures are as yet unavailable, University officials are hoping for something approaching $800,000 for the current academic year.

Another change in the NDEA bill raises the maximum size of loans to graduate and professional students from $1000 to $2500 a year and the maximum individual total for undergraduate and graduate training from $5000 to $10,000. An amendment incorporated into the bill partly cancels repayment of loans to students who make careers of teaching.

The bill's provisions end a fight begun by President Kennedy to broaden the original 1953 act to include English, history and other subjects. Formerly, the act covered only science, modern languages and mathematics.

Also in Washington yesterday, the Office of Education said it has allocated $230 million for college and university construction under the Higher Education Facilities Act of 1963. The School of Education is expected to apply for funds under the act, and the College may also ask for money.