District of Columbia College Access Act of 1999 (Public Law 106-98) – The legislation, reported out by the Governmental Affairs Committee on September 9, 1999 and signed into law on November 12, 1999, allows high school graduates from the District of Columbia to pay in-state tuition rates at state colleges and universities throughout Maryland and Virginia.  

It also provides tuition assistance grants of up to $2,500 per year for D.C. students attending private colleges in the immediate DC area. In addition to tuition benefits, the bill provides funding for the University of the District of Columbia under the federal program for historically black colleges and universities.  

Senator George Voinovich (R-OH), Chairman of the D.C. oversight subcommittee, led the effort to develop the consensus legislation which was enacted into law.  This program will operate in conjunction with a program established by D.C. private sector organizations to provide college preparatory support services to D.C. high school students.