Summary:
Protecting Aid for Students Act of 2014 - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to require institutions of higher education (IHEs) that enroll students who receive title IV grants or loans to establish a system to disburse credit balances to students through electronic payments to a deposit account or a general-use prepaid card with the protections afforded under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act.

Prohibits an IHE from: (1) requiring or encouraging a student to select a particular financial institution to which those electronic payments will be made, or (2) denying or causing a delay in the disbursement of credit balances based on the selection by a student of a particular financial institution.

Directs the Secretary of Education to conduct a pilot program giving students the option to receive credit balances through the Treasury Direct Express system or another low-cost alternative.

Prohibits an IHE that is affiliated with a consumer financial product or service from receiving financial assistance under the HEA unless it:

 develops a code of conduct with respect to affiliated consumer financial products or services with which associated individuals must comply that prohibits conflicts of interest and requires those individuals to act in the best interests of the IHE's students; publish that code prominently on the IHE's website; requires all of its associated individuals to be annually informed of the code's provisions. Defines an "associated individual" as: (1) an officer of an IHE, or (2) an employee or agent of the IHE who is involved in specified ways with the affiliated consumer financial product or service.

Prohibits an IHE that is affiliated with a consumer financial product or service from: (1) entering into a revenue-sharing arrangement with the financial institution providing that product or service, or (2) requesting or accepting any staffing assistance from that financial institution.

Prohibits an IHE's associated individuals from: (1) soliciting or receiving a gift from a financial institution that has a consumer financial product or service with which the IHE is affiliated; (2) accepting financial compensation from such financial institution pursuant to a service contract; or (3) receiving anything of value from such financial institution for serving on its advisory board, commission, or group. Allows specified exceptions to such prohibitions.

Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require financial institutions to submit an annual report to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) containing the terms and conditions of all business, marketing, and promotional agreements they have with any IHE, or any alumni organization or foundation that is an affiliate of or related to an IHE, relating to any consumer financial product or service offered to college students at IHEs.

Requires each financial institution to: (1) establish and maintain a website on which it posts the written agreement with the IHE for each affiliated consumer financial product or service; and (2) provide the CFPB, in electronic format, the written agreements it publishes on its website. Requires the CFPB to establish and maintain on its publicly available website a central repository of all of those agreements received from financial institutions.

Prohibits a financial institution that offers a consumer financial product or service that is affiliated with an IHE from entering into a revenue-sharing arrangement with the IHE.

amends title student assistance higher education act hea require institutions higher education ihes enroll students receive title grants loans establish system disburse credit balances students electronic payments deposit account general use prepaid card protections afforded electronic fund transfer act prohibits ihe requiring encouraging student select particular financial institution electronic payments denying causing delay disbursement credit balances based selection student particular financial institution directs secretary education conduct pilot program giving students option receive credit balances treasury direct express system low cost alternative prohibits ihe affiliated consumer financial product service receiving financial assistance hea develops code conduct respect affiliated consumer financial products services associated individuals comply prohibits conflicts interest requires individuals act best interests ihe students publish code prominently ihe website requires associated individuals annually informed code provisions defines associated individual officer ihe employee agent ihe involved specified ways affiliated consumer financial product service prohibits ihe affiliated consumer financial product service entering revenue sharing arrangement financial institution providing product service requesting accepting staffing assistance financial institution prohibits ihe associated individuals soliciting receiving gift financial institution consumer financial product service ihe affiliated accepting financial compensation financial institution pursuant service contract receiving value financial institution serving advisory board commission group allows specified exceptions prohibitions amends truth lending act require financial institutions submit annual report consumer_financial_protection_bureau cfpb containing terms conditions business marketing promotional agreements ihe alumni organization foundation affiliate related ihe relating consumer financial product service offered college students ihes requires financial institution establish maintain website posts written agreement ihe affiliated consumer financial product service provide cfpb electronic format written agreements publishes website requires cfpb establish maintain publicly available website central repository agreements received financial institutions prohibits financial institution offers consumer financial product service affiliated ihe entering revenue sharing arrangement ihe


Summary: Employer Participation in Refinancing Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an exclusion from gross income for the payment of an employer, either to an employee or a lender, of any indebtedness of an employee under a qualified education refinance loan or any interest relating to such a loan.  Defines "qualified education refinance loan" as any indebtedness used solely to refinance a qualified education loan with respect to which the lender offers the borrower protection in the event of unemployment or financial hardship.

employer participation refinancing act amends internal revenue code allow exclusion gross income payment employer employee lender indebtedness employee qualified education refinance loan interest relating loan defines qualified education refinance loan indebtedness solely refinance qualified education loan respect lender offers borrower protection event unemployment financial hardship


Summary:
Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to establish a program to refinance the unpaid principal, accrued unpaid interest, and late charges on: (1) the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans (DLs) of qualified borrowers if the DLs were first disbursed or, in the case of Direct Consolidation Loans, applied for, before July 1, 2013; and (2) the Federal Family Education Loans (FFELs) of qualified borrowers as DLs. (FFELs were not disbursed after June 30, 2010.)

Refinances the FFELs as Federal Direct Stafford, Unsubsidized Stafford, PLUS, or Consolidated Loans depending on the categorization of the FFEL as a Stafford, Unsubsidized Stafford, PLUS, or Consolidated Loan.

Sets the interest rate on the refinanced loans, other than the Federal Direct Consolidation Loans, at the rate for the 12 months beginning on July 1, 2013, based on: (1) the DL's categorization; and (2) in the case of Stafford Loans, whether the loan was issued to an undergraduate or graduate student.

Determines a refinanced Consolidation Loan's interest rate by: (1) weighing the proportion of the unpaid balance of the Consolidation Loan that each component loan represents, (2) setting the interest rate on each component loan at the lesser of the rate on the component loan for the 12 months beginning on July 1, 2013, or its original rate, and (3) applying the weighted average of the interest rates on those loans as the interest rate on the Consolidation Loan.

Fixes the interest rate on the refinanced loans for the period of such loans.

Directs the Secretary to establish eligibility requirements that are based on a borrower's income or debt-to-income ratio and that take into consideration providing access to refinancing for borrowers who have the greatest financial need.

Requires the Secretary to establish a program to refinance the unpaid principal, accrued unpaid interest, and late charges on private education loans as Federal Direct Refinanced Private Loans if the private education loans were first disbursed to qualified borrowers before July 1, 2013, and were for their postsecondary educational expenses.

Sets the interest rate on Federal Direct Refinanced Private Loans at the rate applicable for the 12 months beginning on July 1, 2013, to: (1) Direct Stafford and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans issued to undergraduates if the private education loan was issued for undergraduate expenses, (2) Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans issued to graduate or professional students if the private education loan was issued for graduate or professional studies, or (3) Direct PLUS Loans if the private education loan was issued for undergraduate and graduate or professional studies.

Fixes the interest rate on such loans for the period of such loans.

Directs the Secretary to establish eligibility requirements that: (1) are based on a borrower's income or debt-to-income ratio and take into consideration providing access to refinancing for borrowers who have the greatest financial need, (2) ensure eligibility only for borrowers in good standing, (3) minimize inequities between Federal Direct Refinanced Private Loans and other federal student loans, and (4) preclude windfall profits for private educational lenders.

Requires qualified borrowers of such loans to undergo loan counseling before their private education loan is refinanced.

Requires private educational lenders to report specified loan information to the Secretary, Congress, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in order to allow for an assessment of the private education loan market.

Directs the Secretary to undertake a campaign to alert borrowers that they may be eligible for refinancing under this Act.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require an individual taxpayer whose adjusted gross income exceeds $1 million to pay a minimum tax rate of 30% of the excess of the taxpayer's adjusted gross income over the taxpayer's modified charitable contribution deduction for the taxable year (tentative fair share tax). Establishes the amount of such tax as the excess (if any) of the tentative fair share tax over the excess of: (1) the sum of the taxpayer's regular tax liability, the alternative minimum tax (AMT) amount, and the payroll tax for the taxable year; over (2) certain tax credits. Provides for a phase-in of such tax. Requires an inflation adjustment to the $1 million income threshold for taxable years beginning after 2015.

Requires the Secretary to terminate this Act's refinancing programs on the earlier of the date: (1) when the net cost of carrying out the programs is equal to the Secretary's estimate of the amount of additional revenue generated during the 10-year period beginning on the date of this Act's enactment due to the fair share tax, or (2) that is two years after this Act's enactment.

title student assistance higher education act direct secretary education establish program refinance unpaid principal accrued unpaid interest late charges federal direct loans dls qualified borrowers dls disbursed case direct_consolidation_loans applied july federal_family_education_loans ffels qualified borrowers dls ffels disbursed june refinances ffels federal_direct_stafford unsubsidized stafford plus depending categorization ffel consolidated_loan sets interest rate refinanced loans federal_direct_consolidation_loans rate months beginning july based categorization case stafford_loans loan issued undergraduate graduate student determines refinanced consolidation_loan interest rate weighing proportion unpaid balance consolidation_loan component loan represents setting interest rate component loan lesser rate component loan months beginning july original rate applying weighted average interest rates loans interest rate consolidation_loan fixes interest rate refinanced loans period loans directs secretary establish eligibility requirements based borrower income debt income ratio consideration providing access refinancing borrowers greatest financial need requires secretary establish program refinance unpaid principal accrued unpaid interest late charges private education loans federal_direct_refinanced_private_loans private education loans disbursed qualified borrowers july postsecondary educational expenses sets interest rate federal_direct_refinanced_private_loans rate applicable months beginning july direct stafford unsubsidized stafford loans issued undergraduates private education loan issued undergraduate expenses direct unsubsidized stafford loans issued graduate professional students private education loan issued graduate professional studies direct plus loans private education loan issued undergraduate graduate professional studies fixes interest rate loans period loans directs secretary establish eligibility requirements based borrower income debt income ratio consideration providing access refinancing borrowers greatest financial need ensure eligibility borrowers good standing minimize inequities federal_direct_refinanced_private_loans federal student loans preclude windfall profits private educational lenders requires qualified borrowers loans undergo loan counseling private education loan refinanced requires private educational lenders report specified loan information secretary congress secretary treasury director consumer_financial_protection_bureau cfpb order allow assessment private education loan market directs secretary undertake campaign alert borrowers eligible refinancing act amends internal revenue code require individual taxpayer adjusted gross income exceeds million pay minimum tax rate excess taxpayer adjusted gross income taxpayer modified charitable contribution deduction taxable year tentative fair share tax establishes tax excess tentative fair share tax excess sum taxpayer regular tax liability alternative minimum tax amt payroll tax taxable year certain tax credits provides phase tax requires inflation adjustment million income threshold taxable years beginning requires secretary terminate act refinancing programs earlier date net cost carrying programs equal secretary estimate additional revenue generated year period beginning date act enactment fair share tax years act enactment


Summary:
Servicemember Higher Education Protection Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to direct:

 the Secretary of Education (Secretary) to create a revised and searchable website with information about all federal and state student financial assistance programs available to servicemembers, veterans, and their families; the Secretary to create a simplified federal student loan disclosure and enrollment form for borrowers who are performing eligible military service; the Chief Operating Officer of the Performance-Based Organization established in the Department of Education to appoint a military and veteran point of contact, within the office of the Student Loan Ombudsman, to help ensure that servicemembers, veterans, and their families receive the loan benefits and protections to which they are entitled; the Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and Secretary to ensure that the federal student loans of a servicemember or veteran who has been assigned a disability rating of 100% are automatically discharged; the Secretary to work with the Commissioner of Revenue (IRS) and DOD to ensure that interest does not accrue on the Federal Direct Loans of borrowers who are performing eligible military service in an area of hostilities that qualifies them for special pay; the Secretary to incorporate the military and veteran status of borrowers in the National Student Loan Data system; an Institution of Higher Education (IHE) that enrolls more than 100 students who are veterans to certify that it has developed and implemented a plan to ensure the success of veterans at that IHE; and the Secretary to use information the Secretary receives from DOD regarding the active duty status of borrowers to ensure that the interest rate charged servicemembers on a Federal Direct Loan does not exceed the maximum interest rate allowed under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. Defers payments on student loans under title IV (Student Assistance) of the HEA: (1) during the period a borrower is performing eligible military service and for the 180-day period following the servicemember's demobilization date; and (2) for any period of up to 180 days after the movement date of a borrower's spouse if that spouse is a servicemember who has received military orders for a permanent change of station. Defines "eligible military service."

Qualifies recipients of Federal Perkins Loans for loan forgiveness for eligible military service. (Currently, the service must occur in an area of hostilities that qualifies the servicemember for special pay.)

Treats a borrower who is enrolled in a public service employee repayment plan and who makes a lump sum payment through a student loan repayment program for servicemembers or a similarly structured repayment program as having made a number of qualifying monthly payments under the public service employee repayment plan.

Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to set a 6% limitation on the interest rate that can be charged a servicemember during the servicemember's military service and one year thereafter on the student loans incurred by the servicemember prior to his or her military service, including student loans incurred prior to such service but consolidated or refinanced during that service.

Requires DOD, the Secretary, the VA, and the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to jointly establish and maintain a working group to assess and improve the resources available to education service officers and other federal personnel who provide assistance to servicemembers and their spouses in using or seeking to use the DOD's tuition assistance programs.

servicemember higher education protection act amends higher education act hea direct secretary education secretary create revised searchable website information federal state student financial assistance programs available servicemembers veterans families secretary create simplified federal student loan disclosure enrollment form borrowers performing eligible military service chief operating officer established department_of_education appoint military veteran point contact office help ensure servicemembers veterans families receive loan benefits protections entitled department_of_defense dod department_of_veterans_affairs secretary ensure federal student loans servicemember veteran assigned disability rating automatically discharged secretary work commissioner revenue irs dod ensure interest accrue borrowers performing eligible military service area hostilities qualifies special pay secretary incorporate military veteran status borrowers system ihe enrolls students veterans certify developed implemented plan ensure success veterans ihe secretary use information secretary receives dod active duty status borrowers ensure interest rate charged servicemembers federal_direct_loan exceed maximum interest rate allowed servicemembers civil relief act payments student loans title student assistance hea period borrower performing eligible military service day period following servicemember demobilization date period days movement date borrower spouse spouse servicemember received military orders permanent change station defines eligible military service qualifies recipients federal_perkins_loans loan forgiveness eligible military service currently service occur area hostilities qualifies servicemember special pay treats borrower enrolled public service employee repayment plan makes lump sum payment student loan repayment program servicemembers similarly structured repayment program having number qualifying monthly payments public service employee repayment plan amends servicemembers civil relief act set limitation interest rate charged servicemember servicemember military service year student loans incurred servicemember prior military service including student loans incurred prior service consolidated refinanced service requires dod secretary director consumer_financial_protection_bureau cfpb jointly establish maintain working group assess improve resources available education service officers federal personnel provide assistance servicemembers spouses seeking use dod tuition assistance programs


Summary:
Know Before You Owe Federal Student Loan Act of 2014 - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education (IHEs) to provide pre-loan counseling at or prior to the first disbursement of a new loan to a student borrower under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program. (Currently, such counseling is limited to students who are first-time borrowers of such loans.)

Adds to the information to be provided to students as part of such counseling:

 an estimate of their projected loan debt-to-income ratio upon graduation and their estimated total student loan debt, calculated for their particular program of study; a statement that they should borrow the minimum amount necessary to cover expenses; information about the default risk of having a projected loan debt-to-income ratio greater than 12%; options for reducing borrowing through scholarships, reduced expenses, work-study, or other work opportunities; and an explanation of the importance of graduating on time and of how adding an additional year of study impacts total indebtedness. Requires each IHE, prior to certifying a Federal Direct Loan for disbursement to a student borrower, to ensure that the student manually enters, either in writing or through electronic means, the exact dollar amount of such loan that the student desires to borrow.

know owe federal student loan act amends title student assistance higher education act require institutions higher education ihes provide pre loan counseling prior disbursement new loan student borrower federal_direct_loan program currently counseling limited students time borrowers loans adds information provided students counseling estimate projected loan debt income ratio graduation estimated total student loan debt calculated particular program study statement borrow minimum necessary cover expenses information default risk having projected loan debt income ratio greater options reducing borrowing scholarships reduced expenses work study work opportunities explanation importance graduating time adding additional year study impacts total indebtedness requires ihe prior certifying federal_direct_loan disbursement student borrower ensure student enters writing electronic means exact dollar loan student desires borrow


Summary:
Christopher Bryski Student Loan Protection Act or Christopher's Law - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require lenders of private education loans to:

 describe clearly and conspicuously, in writing, the cosigners' obligations regarding such loans, including the effect a borrower's or cosigner's death, disability, or inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity would have on such obligations; require the borrower to designate an individual to have the legal authority to act on behalf of the borrower in the event of the borrower's death, disability, or inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity; and ensure that the borrower, and any cosigner, receives comprehensive information on the loan's terms and conditions and the borrower's responsibilities with respect to such loan. Directs the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to publish a model form for describing a cosigner's obligations regarding private education loans.

Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to require institutions of higher education to provide borrowers of federal education loans information at their entrance counseling on:

 the effect their death, disability, or inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity would have on their federal and private education loans; any repayment, refinance, deferment, forbearance, or forgiveness opportunities available to the borrower, or cosigner, in the event of either individual's death, disability, or inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity; and the effect their death, disability, or inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity would have on their obligations and any cosigner's obligations with respect to the loan. Requires students applying for federal education loans to designate an individual who is to have the legal authority to act on their behalf with respect to such a loan in the event of their death, disability, or inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity.

christopher_bryski_student_loan_protection_act christopher law amends truth lending act require lenders private education loans describe clearly conspicuously writing cosigners obligations loans including effect borrower cosigner death disability inability engage substantial gainful activity obligations require borrower designate individual legal authority act behalf borrower event borrower death disability inability engage substantial gainful activity ensure borrower cosigner receives comprehensive information loan terms conditions borrower responsibilities respect loan directs consumer_financial_protection_bureau cfpb publish model form describing cosigner obligations private education loans amends higher education act hea require institutions higher education provide borrowers federal education loans information entrance counseling effect death disability inability engage substantial gainful activity federal private education loans repayment refinance deferment forbearance forgiveness opportunities available borrower cosigner event individual death disability inability engage substantial gainful activity effect death disability inability engage substantial gainful activity obligations cosigner obligations respect loan requires students applying federal education loans designate individual legal authority act behalf respect loan event death disability inability engage substantial gainful activity


Summary:
Correctly Recognizing Educational Achievements To Empower Graduates Act or the CREATE Graduates Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to states and, through them, subgrants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) or systems of higher education to:

 identify current or former students who have earned at least 60 postsecondary credit hours (or the state-required minimum for earning an associate's degree) at the IHE or at an IHE within the system but have not been issued a postsecondary degree by such IHE or an associate's or bachelor's degree elsewhere; perform a degree audit on each of those students to identify those who are eligible to obtain an associate's degree and those who are eligible to obtain such a degree upon the completion of 12 or fewer postsecondary credit hours (or the equivalent); provide outreach and award an associate's degree to each of those students identified as eligible to obtain an associate's degree unless the student declines the degree; and provide outreach to those students identified as eligible to obtain such a degree upon the completion of 12 or fewer postsecondary credit hours, including guidance on the steps they can take to attain such a degree. Allows states to use up to: (1) 15% of their grant for administrative purposes, including the purchase of the technology to carry out grant requirements; and (2) 5% of their grant to create articulation agreements between 2-year and 4-year IHEs to facilitate the transfer of students between such schools.

correctly recognizing educational achievements empower graduates act create graduates act amends higher education act direct secretary education award competitive grants states subgrants institutions higher education ihes systems higher education identify current students earned postsecondary credit hours state required minimum earning associate degree ihe ihe system issued postsecondary degree ihe associate bachelor degree perform degree audit students identify eligible obtain associate degree eligible obtain degree completion fewer postsecondary credit hours equivalent provide outreach award associate degree students identified eligible obtain associate degree student declines degree provide outreach students identified eligible obtain degree completion fewer postsecondary credit hours including guidance steps attain degree allows states use grant administrative purposes including purchase technology carry grant requirements grant create articulation agreements year year ihes facilitate transfer students schools


Summary:
College Access Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Education to award competitive planning grants and competitive implementation grants to states to plan and implement comprehensive state plans to: (1) enhance the affordability of postsecondary education; and (2) increase the number and percentage of students attaining a postsecondary credential, particularly first generation and low-income college students.

Requires each comprehensive state plan to require the implementation of:

 specified measures to increase the transparency and accessibility of the information provided to students and their families about the costs and outcomes of attaining a postsecondary credential in the state, including the adoption by each institution of higher education (IHE) of a net price calculator linked to the IHE's website that provides individualized information and meets certain other requirements; and measures to maintain or increase fiscal support for postsecondary education that include increasing need-based grant aid for postsecondary education and restricting tuition increases at public IHEs to a rate that lies below the inflation rate. Requires each comprehensive state plan to require one or more of the following reforms that are not already in place in the state:

 removing barriers to innovation in postsecondary education by developing innovative education delivery models, promoting the use of technology, and creating or expanding the use of open educational resources; improving the students' transition to and from postsecondary institutions and increasing their graduation rate by increasing their participation in accelerated learning models, reforming postsecondary remediation, improving the credit transfer policies and articulation agreements between or among IHEs, and incentivizing IHEs to increase the number and percentage of Federal Pell Grant recipients who attain a postsecondary credential. Requires applicants for a planning grant and applicants for an implementation grant that have not received a planning grant to establish performance indicators, annual targets, and goals to track their performance in:

 implementing the reforms that are required by their plans, increasing the graduation rate of first generation and low-income college students and the number and percentage of students from community colleges and postsecondary vocational schools who transfer to a four-year IHE and attain a baccalaureate degree, and reducing the net price of attaining a postsecondary credential. Terminates an implementation grant after two years if the Secretary determines that the state is making insufficient progress in implementing its comprehensive state plan and meeting its annual targets.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) evaluate the implementation and impact of this Act's requirements, and (2) disseminate research on best practices for achieving this Act's objectives.

college access act directs secretary education award competitive planning grants competitive implementation grants states plan implement comprehensive state plans enhance affordability postsecondary education increase number percentage students attaining postsecondary credential particularly generation low income college students requires comprehensive state plan require implementation specified measures increase transparency accessibility information provided students families costs outcomes attaining postsecondary credential state including adoption institution higher education ihe net price calculator linked ihe website provides individualized information meets certain requirements measures maintain increase fiscal support postsecondary education include increasing need based grant aid postsecondary education restricting tuition increases public ihes rate lies inflation rate requires comprehensive state plan require following reforms place state removing barriers innovation postsecondary education developing innovative education delivery models promoting use technology creating expanding use open educational resources improving students transition postsecondary institutions increasing graduation rate increasing participation accelerated learning models reforming postsecondary remediation improving credit transfer policies articulation agreements ihes incentivizing ihes increase number percentage federal pell grant recipients attain postsecondary credential requires applicants planning grant applicants implementation grant received planning grant establish performance indicators annual targets goals track performance implementing reforms required plans increasing graduation rate generation low income college students number percentage students community colleges postsecondary vocational schools transfer year ihe attain baccalaureate degree reducing net price attaining postsecondary credential terminates implementation grant years secretary determines state making insufficient progress implementing comprehensive state plan meeting annual targets directs secretary evaluate implementation impact act requirements disseminate research best practices achieving act objectives


Summary:
Pathways to Prosperity Act of 2014 - Amends the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act to replace specified minimum measures of student attainment in the core indicators of performance for career and technical education students at the secondary level with a measure of the median earnings of students employed during the second quarter after completing a career and technical education program of study in the state.

Requires the national research center, established under the Act, to engage in evaluation and technical assistance activities that will assist in: (1) collecting information on the industry-recognized credentials awarded to participants in career and technical education programs, and (2) developing the necessary infrastructure to support the state and local reporting of specified related information.

Makes it a responsibility of the state agency involved to establish statewide credit transfer agreements aligned to approved career and technical education programs of study.

Requires each local plan for career and technical education programs to describe how the eligible recipient of assistance will partner with business and industry to: (1) identify opportunities for experiential and work-based learning opportunities either in-person or virtually, (2) ensure the career and technical education programs of study are responsive to community and employment demands and meet other specified criteria, and (3) ensure funding under the Act is spent in a coordinated manner with other local resources.

Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to revise the purpose of grants for demonstration projects of innovative practices to require the projects to show the most promise of enabling the children served to meet rigorous, state-identified college and career readiness standards that address both certain academic content and certain career and technical education content.

pathways prosperity act amends carl perkins career technical education act replace specified minimum measures student attainment core indicators performance career technical education students secondary level measure median earnings students employed second quarter completing career technical education program study state requires national research center established act engage evaluation technical assistance activities assist collecting information industry recognized credentials awarded participants career technical education programs developing necessary infrastructure support state local reporting specified related information makes responsibility state agency involved establish statewide credit transfer agreements aligned approved career technical education programs study requires local plan career technical education programs describe eligible recipient assistance partner business industry identify opportunities experiential work based learning opportunities person ensure career technical education programs study responsive community employment demands meet specified criteria ensure funding act spent coordinated manner local resources amends elementary secondary education act revise purpose grants demonstration projects innovative practices require projects promise enabling children served meet rigorous state identified college career readiness standards address certain academic content certain career technical education content


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income payments received by a student under a comprehensive work-learning-service program operated by a work college.

amends internal revenue code exclude gross income payments received student comprehensive work learning service program operated work college


Summary: Allocating for Children's Education Act or the ACE Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to Coverdale education savings accounts, to: (1) increase from $2,000 to $5,000 the maximum allowable contribution to such accounts in a taxable year, and (2) allow distributions from such accounts for the purchase of athletic equipment at elementary and secondary schools.

allocating children education act ace act amends internal revenue code respect education savings accounts increase maximum allowable contribution accounts taxable year allow distributions accounts purchase athletic equipment elementary secondary schools


Summary:
Educating Tomorrow's Workforce Act of 2014 - Amends the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to revise the requirements for the plan of a state seeking federal assistance for career and technical education programs. Requires the state plan to describe how the eligible state agency will ensure the quality of any program of study culminating in an industry-recognized certificate, credential, or license.

Requires state agency leadership activities to support career academies which:

 implement a college and career ready curriculum at the secondary education level integrating rigorous academic, technical, and employability contents; include experiential or work-based learning for secondary school students, in collaboration with local and regional employers; include opportunities for secondary school students to earn postsecondary credit while in secondary school; and establish and maintain ongoing partnerships between the local educational agency, business and industry, and institutions of higher education, or postsecondary vocational institutions, including local government. Requires the local plan for career and technical education programs to describe: (1) how the eligible recipient of assistance will assess local needs related to career and technical education as part of the local plan development process, and (2) how this needs assessment will be updated annually, especially on progress toward specific elements leading to high-quality implementation of career and technical education programs of study.

Authorizes the local use of funds for improving such programs to support career academies.

educating tomorrow amends carl perkins career technical education act revise requirements plan state seeking federal assistance career technical education programs requires state plan describe eligible state agency ensure quality program study industry recognized certificate credential license requires state agency leadership activities support career academies implement college career ready curriculum secondary education level integrating rigorous academic technical employability contents include experiential work based learning secondary school students collaboration local regional employers include opportunities secondary school students earn postsecondary credit secondary school establish maintain ongoing partnerships local educational agency business industry institutions higher education postsecondary vocational institutions including local government requires local plan career technical education programs describe eligible recipient assistance assess local needs related career technical education local plan development process needs assessment updated annually especially progress specific elements leading high quality implementation career technical education programs study authorizes local use funds improving programs support career academies


Summary:
Dynamic Repayment Act of 2014 - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to make students ineligible to receive William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans (DLs) on or after July 1, 2015.

Makes certain exceptions for student borrowers who have an outstanding balance on their DLs or Federal Family Education Loans (FFELs) as of that date and who later apply for a Direct Unsubsidized, PLUS, or Consolidation Loan.

Establishes an Income Dependent Education Assistance (IDEA) Loan program, effective July 1, 2015, making federal funds available for loans to student borrowers who: (1) have no outstanding balance due on a DL or FFEL, or (2) consolidate such loans into an IDEA Consolidation Loan.

Sets forth the formulae for determining the interest rates on IDEA Loans, which are capped at 8.25% for undergraduate students and 9.25% for graduate or professional students.

Blocks the accrual of interest on IDEA Loans for active duty military personnel.

Makes an IDEA Loan eligible for loan forgiveness after: (1) 20 years of payments if the borrower begins repayment with an outstanding balance that does not equal or exceed the maximum aggregate amount of Direct Unsubsidized Loans that an undergraduate student borrower would have been eligible to borrow but for this Act; and (2) 30 years if the borrower begins repayment with an outstanding balance equal to or greater than that amount.

Allows student borrowers to consolidate FFELs, DLs, and Perkins Loans into IDEA Consolidation Loans that bear interest at an annual rate that equals the weighted average of the interest rates on the loans consolidated.

Establishes the IDEA Loan Repayment program under which: (1) the Secretary of the Treasury provides the Secretary of Education with the tax information needed to determine each borrower's income-based repayment obligation; and (2) those obligations are withheld from the borrower's wages.

Allows borrowers to opt-out of the withholding process and make payments on a monthly basis. Sets the annual repayment obligation for borrowers at an amount equal to 10% of the excess of their taxable income over the sum of: (1) an exemption amount equal to $10,000, adjusted for inflation; and (2) the lesser of $3,000 or specified income other than wages, salaries, tips, and other employee compensation. Sets the income-based repayment obligation of individuals who are not required to file a federal tax return at zero.

Allows borrowers to prepay all or part of an IDEA Loan without penalty.

Penalizes borrowers who fail to pay their full repayment amount for a taxable year.

Makes specified FFEL and DL loan repayment or forgiveness programs applicable to IDEA Loans.

Amends the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide the Secretary of Education with information in the National Directory of New Hires regarding IDEA Loan borrowers for the purpose of improving the collection of such loans. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Secretary of the Treasury to disclose borrowers' tax return information to the Department of Education for purposes of the IDEA Loan Repayment program.

Excludes IDEA Loan forgiveness from a borrower's gross income for income tax purposes.

dynamic amends title student assistance higher education act hea students ineligible receive dls july makes certain exceptions student borrowers outstanding balance dls federal_family_education_loans ffels date later apply direct unsubsidized plus consolidation_loan establishes income dependent education assistance idea loan program effective july making federal funds available loans student borrowers outstanding balance ffel consolidate loans sets forth formulae determining interest rates capped undergraduate students graduate professional students blocks accrual interest active duty military personnel makes eligible loan forgiveness years payments borrower begins repayment outstanding balance equal exceed maximum aggregate undergraduate student borrower eligible borrow act years borrower begins repayment outstanding balance equal greater allows student borrowers consolidate ffels dls perkins_loans idea consolidation loans bear interest annual rate equals weighted average interest rates loans consolidated establishes program secretary treasury provides secretary education tax information needed determine borrower income based repayment obligation obligations withheld borrower wages allows borrowers opt withholding process payments monthly basis sets annual repayment obligation borrowers equal excess taxable income sum exemption equal adjusted inflation lesser specified income wages salaries tips employee compensation sets income based repayment obligation individuals required file federal tax return zero allows borrowers prepay penalty penalizes borrowers fail pay repayment taxable year makes specified ffel loan repayment forgiveness programs applicable amends social security act require secretary health_and_human_services hhs provide secretary education information national_directory_of_new_hires borrowers purpose improving collection loans amends internal revenue code require secretary treasury disclose borrowers tax return information department_of_education purposes program excludes idea loan forgiveness borrower gross income income tax purposes


Summary:
Survivor Outreach and Support Campus Act or the SOS Campus Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require each institution of higher education (IHE) that participates in the programs under title IV (Student Assistance) to designate an independent advocate for campus sexual assault prevention and response (Advocate) with experience in providing sexual assault victim services.

Directs the Secretary of Education to prescribe regulations for IHEs to follow in appointing Advocates.

Requires each Advocate to: (1) report to an individual outside the body responsible for investigating and adjudicating sexual assault complaints at the IHE, (2) submit to such individual an annual report summarizing how the resources supplied to the Advocate were used, and (3) represent the interests of each student victim even when they conflict with the IHE's interests.

Directs each Advocate to:

 ensure that sexual assault victims at the IHE receive, with their consent, specified information and services; guide sexual assault victims who request assistance through the reporting, counseling, administrative, medical and health, academic accommodations, or legal processes of the IHE or local law enforcement; attend, at the request of a sexual assault victim, any administrative or IHE-based adjudication proceeding related to such assault as an advocate for the victim; maintain the privacy and confidentiality of the victim and any witness to such sexual assault, without notifying the IHE or any other authority of the identity of the victim or of any such witness or the alleged circumstances surrounding the reported sexual assault, unless otherwise required to do so by state law; and conduct a public information campaign to inform the students enrolled at the IHE of the existence of, contact information for, and services provided by the Advocate.

survivor outreach sos campus act amends higher education act require institution higher education ihe participates programs title student assistance designate independent advocate campus sexual assault prevention response advocate experience providing sexual assault victim services directs secretary education prescribe regulations ihes follow appointing advocates requires advocate report individual outside body responsible investigating adjudicating sexual assault complaints ihe submit individual annual report summarizing resources supplied advocate represent interests student victim conflict ihe interests directs advocate ensure sexual assault victims ihe receive consent specified information services guide sexual assault victims request assistance reporting counseling administrative medical health academic accommodations legal processes ihe local law enforcement attend request sexual assault victim administrative ihe based adjudication proceeding related assault advocate victim maintain privacy confidentiality victim witness sexual assault notifying ihe authority identity victim witness alleged circumstances surrounding reported sexual assault required state law conduct public information campaign inform students enrolled ihe existence contact information services provided advocate


Summary: Education Tax Fraud Prevention Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require: (1) individuals who claim a tax credit for qualified tuition and related expenses under the Hope Scholarship or the Lifetime Learning tax credit to include their social security numbers on their tax returns, and (2) the educational institutions of such individuals to provide their employer identification numbers.

require individuals claim tax credit qualified tuition related expenses hope scholarship lifetime_learning tax credit include social security numbers tax returns educational institutions individuals provide employer identification numbers


Summary: Adjunct Faculty Loan Fairness Act of 2014 - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to treat part-time teachers as public service employees, for purposes of the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan forgiveness program for public service employees, if they: (1) teach at least one course at an institution of higher education, a postsecondary vocational institution, or a Tribal College or University; and (2) do not have another full-time job. (Public service employees must make 120 monthly payments on such loans as public service employees to qualify for Direct Loan forgiveness under the program.)

adjunct faculty loan fairness act amends title student assistance higher education act treat time teachers public service employees purposes federal_direct_loan forgiveness program public service employees teach course institution higher education postsecondary vocational institution tribal_college university time job public service employees monthly payments loans public service employees qualify direct_loan forgiveness program


Summary:
Career and Technical Education Opportunity Act - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include as a program that is eligible to participate in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program and the Federal Perkins Loans program an educational program that: (1) provides students with at least 250 clock hours of instruction over a minimum of five weeks, and (2) leads to an industry-recognized credential.

Defines an "industry-recognized credential" as one that:

 is demonstrated to be of high quality by the institution of higher education offering the educational program in its title IV participation agreement with the Secretary of Education; meets the current or projected needs of a local or regional workforce for recruitment, screening, hiring, retention, or advancement purposes; and is, where applicable, endorsed by a nationally recognized trade association or organization representing a significant part of the industry or sector.

higher education act include program eligible participate federal_direct_loan program federal_perkins_loans program educational program provides students clock hours instruction minimum weeks leads industry recognized credential defines industry recognized credential demonstrated high quality institution higher education offering educational program title participation agreement secretary education meets current projected needs local regional workforce recruitment screening hiring retention advancement purposes applicable endorsed nationally recognized trade association organization representing significant industry sector


Summary:
Working Student Act of 2014 - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to increase the income protection allowance for academic year 2015-2016 to:

 $8,451 for dependent students; $13,135 for independent students without dependents other than a spouse who are single, separated, or married when both spouses are enrolled; and $21,060 for independent students without dependents other than a spouse if only one of the spouses is enrolled. Increases for academic year 2015-2016 the income protection allowances for independent students with dependents other than a spouse. (These allowances vary depending on the number of such dependents.)

Provides for cost-of-living adjustments to such income protection allowances after academic year 2015-2016. (An income protection allowance is the amount excluded from a student's income in determining the student's need for assistance under title IV.)

amends title student assistance higher education act increase income protection allowance academic year dependent students independent students dependents spouse single separated married spouses enrolled independent students dependents spouse spouses enrolled increases academic year income protection allowances independent students dependents spouse allowances vary depending number dependents provides cost living adjustments income protection allowances academic year income protection allowance excluded student income determining student need assistance title


Summary:
Repay Act of 2014 - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to carry out a simplified income-driven repayment program for students who become new borrowers of William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans (DLs) on or after July 1, 2015.

Sets a student's annual repayment obligation under the program at:

 10% of the borrower's discretionary income (gross income that exceeds 150% of the federal poverty level) that is less than $25,000, adjusted for inflation; plus 15% of the borrower's discretionary income that is equal to or greater than $25,000, adjusted for inflation. Directs the Secretary to cancel the outstanding balance on a DL under the repayment program if the borrower:

 for 20 years made monthly payments under the program or was in deferment due to economic hardship and had a DL principal balance at the outset of the repayment period that did not exceed a specified amount; or for 25 years made monthly payments under the program or was in deferment due to economic hardship and had a DL principal balance at the outset of the repayment period that exceeded a specified amount. Requires the Secretary to offer borrowers of DLs made on or after July 1, 2015, the following repayment plans: (1) a fixed repayment plan (currently referred to as a standard repayment plan), or (2) a simplified income-driven repayment plan, but this plan is only available to student borrowers. Authorizes the Secretary to provide an alternative repayment plan to a borrower of a DL made on or after July 1, 2015, if the borrower demonstrates that these repayment options do not accommodate the borrower's exceptional circumstances.

Continues to allow borrowers of DLs to accelerate, without penalty, their repayment of such loans.

Makes public service employees who make 120 monthly payments on their DL under a simplified income-driven repayment plan eligible for the public service employee loan forgiveness program.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income debt the Secretary discharges on a borrower's subsidized Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) due to the borrower's death or disability.

Directs the Secretary to require servicers of FFELs and DLs to: (1) provide borrowers with information regarding their loan repayment options, and (2) offer to enroll borrowers in alternative plans for which they are eligible.

amends title student assistance higher education act direct secretary education carry simplified income driven repayment program students new borrowers dls july sets student annual repayment obligation program borrower discretionary income gross income exceeds federal poverty level adjusted inflation plus borrower discretionary income equal greater adjusted inflation directs secretary cancel outstanding balance repayment program borrower years monthly payments program deferment economic hardship principal balance repayment period exceed specified years monthly payments program deferment economic hardship principal balance repayment period exceeded specified requires secretary offer borrowers dls july following repayment plans fixed repayment plan currently referred standard repayment plan simplified income driven repayment plan plan available student borrowers authorizes secretary provide alternative repayment plan borrower july borrower demonstrates repayment options accommodate borrower exceptional circumstances continues allow borrowers dls accelerate penalty repayment loans makes public service employees monthly payments simplified income driven repayment plan eligible public service employee loan forgiveness program amends internal revenue code exclude gross income debt secretary discharges borrower subsidized federal_family_education_loan ffel borrower death disability directs secretary require servicers ffels dls provide borrowers information loan repayment options offer enroll borrowers alternative plans eligible


Summary:
Strengthening Forgiveness for Public Servants Act - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to cancel 15%, 15%, 20%, 20%, and 30% of the amount a borrower owes after 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 years of public service employment, respectively, on a William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan made after this Act's enactment. (Currently, the balance of a borrower's Direct Loan is cancelled if the borrower is not in default and has made 120 monthly payments on such loan while employed as a public service employee.)

Requires borrowers availing themselves of such loan cancellation to submit an employment certification form that includes self-certification of employment and employer certification of employment dates. Places the borrower's loan in deferment during the period in which the borrower is employed in an eligible public service job if the borrower submits such form to the Secretary.

Cancels the entire amount of interest on such a loan that accrues for any year in which a portion of the loan is cancelled under this Act.

strengthening forgiveness public servants act amends title student assistance higher education act direct secretary education cancel borrower owes years public service employment respectively federal_direct_loan act enactment currently balance borrower direct_loan cancelled borrower default monthly payments loan employed public service employee requires borrowers loan cancellation submit employment certification form includes self certification employment employer certification employment dates places borrower loan deferment period borrower employed eligible public service job borrower submits form secretary cancels entire interest loan accrues year portion loan cancelled act


Summary: Make Student Grants Truly Tax-Free Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the tax exclusion for scholarships to include amounts received: (1) through a scholarship or fellowship grant program administered by the Secretary of Education that is based on financial need, including a Federal Pell Grant, and (2) as an Iraq and Afghanistan Service grant under the Higher Education Act of 1965.

student grants truly tax free act amends internal revenue code expand tax exclusion scholarships include amounts received scholarship fellowship grant program administered secretary education based financial need including federal pell grant iraq grant higher education act


Summary: Military and Veterans Education Protection Act - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require proprietary institutions of higher education to derive at least 10% of their revenue from sources other than title IV or federal educational assistance programs for military personnel and veterans, or become ineligible for title IV funding and participation in those programs. (Currently, this 90/10 rule requires these schools to derive at least 10% of their revenue from sources other than title IV or become ineligible for title IV funding.)

military act amends title student assistance higher education act require proprietary institutions higher education derive revenue sources title federal educational assistance programs military personnel veterans ineligible title funding participation programs currently rule requires schools derive revenue sources title ineligible title funding


Summary:
Creating Quality Technical Educators Act of 2014 - Amends title II (Teacher Quality Enhancement) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize grants under the Teacher Quality Partnership grant program to be used for secondary school career and technical education teacher preparation programs. (The grant program provides funds to partnerships of high-need local educational agencies [LEAs], high-need schools or early education programs, and institutions of higher education [IHEs] to train current and prospective teachers and school leaders.)

Requires the career and technical education teacher preparation programs to:

 be available to mid-career professionals or recent graduates of an IHE who have expertise in a program area in which there is a career and technical education teacher shortage; allow individuals to obtain initial licensure and the basic skills required for entry into the education profession, with the option of earning a bachelor's or master's degree; and allow teachers who do not have subject matter expertise in a career and technical education field that is in demand in the local or regional economy to receive the technical skills training they need to teach those skills in a classroom setting. Requires each partnership to select program participants based on the career and technical education program needs of any high-need LEAs in the partnership.

Requires each program participant to undergo specified pre-classroom training that is followed by: (1) mentoring from an experienced teacher for at least two years, and (2) continuing professional development coursework over the course of three years.

Requires program participants to: (1) be provided a one-year living stipend or salary while they undergo preservice training, and (2) serve as a full-time career and technical education teacher in a high-need LEA in the partnership for at least three academic years immediately after their successful completion of the pre-classroom training.

Directs the Secretary of Education to establish performance measures for the career and technical education teacher preparation programs.

creating quality technical educators act amends title teacher quality enhancement higher education act authorize grants teacher_quality_partnership grant program secondary school career technical education teacher preparation programs grant program provides funds partnerships high need local educational agencies leas high need schools early education programs institutions higher education ihes train current prospective teachers school leaders requires career technical education teacher preparation programs available mid career professionals recent graduates ihe expertise program area career technical education teacher shortage allow individuals obtain initial licensure basic skills required entry education profession option earning bachelor master degree allow teachers subject matter expertise career technical education field demand local regional economy receive technical skills training need teach skills classroom setting requires partnership select program participants based career technical education program needs high need leas partnership requires program participant undergo specified pre classroom training followed mentoring experienced teacher years continuing professional development coursework course years requires program participants provided year living stipend salary undergo preservice training serve time career technical education teacher high need lea partnership academic years immediately successful completion pre classroom training directs secretary education establish performance measures career technical education teacher preparation programs


Summary: Enhanced 529 - Setting Aside for a Valuable Education Act or the Enhanced 529 - S.A.V.E. Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow a tax credit for contributions to a qualified tuition program (529 tuition program); and (2) allow an exclusion, up to $600, from the gross income of an employee for employer contributions to a 529 tuition program.

enhanced setting aside valuable education act enhanced act amends internal revenue code allow tax credit contributions qualified tuition program tuition program allow exclusion gross income employee employer contributions tuition program


Summary: 401(Kids) Education Savings Account Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) eliminate after 2014 the income-based reduction of contributions to Coverdell education savings accounts, (2) increase the annual contribution limit for such accounts, (3) allow the use of such an account to pay home school expenses and the acquisition costs of a first-time homebuyer, and (4) allow tax-free rollovers of amounts in a Coverdell education savings account to a Roth individual retirement account (Roth IRA).

education savings account act amends internal revenue code eliminate income based reduction contributions coverdell education savings accounts increase annual contribution limit accounts allow use account pay home school expenses acquisition costs time homebuyer allow tax free rollovers amounts coverdell education savings account roth individual retirement account roth ira


Summary: Social Security Garnishment Modernization Act of 2014 - Exempts an inflation-adjusted $9,000 each year of an individual's benefits under the Social Security Act from being used by the Department of Education to offset the amount the individual owes on a defaulted student loan under title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965.

exempts inflation adjusted year individual benefits social security act department_of_education offset individual owes defaulted student loan title student assistance higher education act


Summary:
Protecting Students from Worthless Degrees Act - Makes any institution of higher education (IHE) postsecondary program designed to prepare students for a recognized occupation or profession requiring licensing or other entry pre-conditions ineligible to participate in a federal financial assistance program, unless it meets specified student consumer protection requirements within one year after this Act's enactment.

Requires each program to: (1) fully prepare students to satisfy those entry pre-conditions in the metropolitan statistical areas and states in which the students reside and in any state the program claims a successful program graduate will be prepared to work in the particular occupation or profession involved; and (2) provide timely placement of students in required pre-licensure positions, such as clinical placements, internships, or apprenticeships.

Directs the Secretary of Education to promulgate regulations regarding pre-accredited IHE programs to: (1) impose consumer protection requirements on such programs that are consistent with those this Act imposes on accredited programs, and (2) condition an IHE's participation in any federal financial assistance program on the IHE signing a loan discharge agreement with each of their students who is enrolled in any pre-accredited program.

protecting students worthless degrees act makes institution higher education ihe postsecondary program designed prepare students recognized occupation profession requiring licensing entry pre conditions ineligible participate federal financial assistance program meets specified student consumer protection requirements year act enactment requires program fully prepare students satisfy entry pre conditions metropolitan statistical areas states students reside state program claims successful program graduate prepared work particular occupation profession involved provide timely placement students required pre licensure positions clinical placements internships apprenticeships directs secretary education promulgate regulations pre accredited ihe programs impose consumer protection requirements programs consistent act imposes accredited programs condition ihe participation federal financial assistance program ihe signing loan discharge agreement students enrolled pre accredited program


Summary:
Higher Education Affordability Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise and reauthorize HEA programs.

Title I: General Provisions - Requires proprietary institutions of higher education, for student aid eligibility purposes, to derive at least 15% of their revenue from sources other than federal funds.

Prohibits institutions of higher education (IHEs) that are affiliated with a consumer financial product or service from receiving HEA funds unless they take specified steps to avoid conflicts of interest.

Prohibits IHEs or other postsecondary educational institutions from using revenues derived from federal educational assistance funds for recruiting or marketing activities.

Requires the establishment of new college cost and assistance information resources for students, parents, and the public and the enhancement of existing resources.

Prohibits a state from charging certain active duty military personnel and homeless and foster care youth tuition for attending a public institution of higher education at a rate that is greater than the rate charged for state residents.

Directs the Secretary of Education to establish a complaint tracking system to collect, monitor, and respond to complaints or inquiries regarding the educational practices and services, and recruiting and marketing practices, of all postsecondary educational institutions.

Establishes the Proprietary Education Oversight Coordination Committee to oversee proprietary IHEs and publish an annual Warning List for Parents and Students regarding certain issues facing such schools.

Title II: Improving Educator Preparation - Revises title II of the HEA to establish a new part A program awarding grants to partnerships of high-need local educational agencies (LEAs), high-need schools, IHEs, and high-need early childhood education programs to design and implement effective educator residency programs that prepare educators for success in high-need schools.

Establishes a new part B program awarding grants to states to reform and improve educator preparation programs.

Establishes a new part C requiring educator preparation programs to set annual quantifiable goals for increasing the number of prospective educators trained in educator shortage areas designated by the Secretary or the applicable state. Requires states to identify and assist low-performing educator preparation programs. Cuts off federal funding for those programs that lose state support or funding due to low performance.

Preserves the Honorable Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence program and the Teach to Reach grant program in a new part D.

Title III: Institutional Aid - Revises and reauthorizes the Institutional Aid programs, under title III of the HEA, that provide grants to IHEs serving high percentages of minority and low-income students. Alters the authorized uses of the grant funds.

Requires the Secretary and states to cover the costs that certain IHEs that are required to provide a tuition-free education to Indian students incur in providing such an education to out-of-state Indian students.

Raises the principal limit on outstanding federally-insured bonds used to finance historically Black colleges and universities.

Title IV: Student Assistance - Revises and reauthorizes Student Assistance programs under title IV of the HEA.

Establishes a year-round Federal Pell Grant program to allow eligible students to accelerate the time needed to earn a degree.

Establishes demonstration programs to:

 encourage IHEs to improve their performance in enrolling and graduating a significant number of low- and moderate-income students on time; explore the effectiveness of providing secondary school students with early notification of their postsecondary financial aid options and the cost of postsecondary education; explore the effectiveness of providing adult students with information regarding their postsecondary financial aid options and the cost of postsecondary education; and explore ways of delivering competency-based postsecondary education programs that assess student competencies rather than credit hours to potentially reduce the costs students incur, and the time they need, to attain a postsecondary degree. Establishes an American Dream grants program allotting grants to states to offer Dreamer students in-state tuition and expand their access to in-state financial aid.

Provides loan forgiveness under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) and William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (DL) programs for certain Indian teachers employed by Indian schools or LEAs that serve a high percentage of Indian students.

Reduces, from 75% to 50%, the federal share of Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity grants and the federal share of the compensation provided to students employed in Federal Work-Study programs.

Raises the required IHE contribution of funds for Federal Perkins Loans from one-third to one-half of the federal contributions.

Increases the income protection allowances used in determining dependent and independent students' need for title IV assistance.

Directs the Secretary to develop standard formats for: (1) notifying any borrower who is delinquent, or at risk of becoming delinquent, on an FFEL or DL of repayment options; (2) IHE financial aid award letters to students and parents.

Requires the Secretary to publicize fiscal year FFEL and DL repayment and default rates for each IHE participating in a title IV program.

Establishes a One-Time FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) pilot program to: (1) streamline the process by which students apply for federal financial assistance, and (2) reduce the need for students to apply for such assistance each year.

Allows students who have not graduated from secondary school to receive title IV assistance if they: (1) are enrolled in an eligible career pathway program, and (2) are determined or demonstrate the ability to benefit from the education or training being offered.

Requires IHEs to provide students with: (1) information regarding their policy on harassment, and (2) additional and more frequent and personalized information regarding student assistance.

Bans IHEs participating in title IV programs from: (1) providing incentive compensation to persons or entities based on their success in recruiting, enrolling, or educating students or placing them in employment; or (2) including a predispute arbitration agreement in any contract with a student.

Authorizes the Secretary to impose civil penalties and sanctions on IHEs that engage in substantial misrepresentations or other serious violations of title IV requirements.

Directs the Secretary to establish procedures to automatically enroll delinquent FFEL or DL borrowers who have a partial financial hardship into an income-based repayment plan.

Requires each IHE that enrolls a student who receives title IV assistance to establish a system to disburse credit balances through electronic payments to a deposit account or a general use prepaid card with the protections afforded under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act.

Requires IHEs to provide, and the Secretary to collect, specified student unit record data.

Prohibits accreditors from requiring IHEs to enter into predispute arbitration agreements with their students. Requires them to publicly disclose their finalized accreditation documents relating to academic and institutional quality.

Directs the Secretary to conduct program reviews of IHEs that pose a significant risk of failing to comply with title IV requirements.

Establishes a State-Federal College Affordability Partnership program to award block grants to states to incentivize their investment in public higher education.

Title V: Developing Institutions - Revises and reauthorizes the Developing Institutions grant program for Hispanic-serving IHEs under title V of the HEA. Alters the authorized uses of grant funds.

Title VI: International Education Programs - Reauthorizes the International Education programs under title VI of the HEA.

Title VII: Graduate and Postsecondary Improvement Programs - Reauthorizes the Graduate and Postsecondary Improvement programs under title VII of the HEA.

Establishes:

 a First In The World Competitive Grant program to help IHEs implement innovative strategies designed to increase postsecondary education access, affordability, and completion; Dual Enrollment and Early College High School programs; a Minority-Serving Institutions Innovation Fund to assist minority-serving institutions in developing, implementing, and replicating innovations that enable economically and educationally disadvantaged students to enroll in, persist through, and graduate from their schools; and a program providing competitive grants to states to establish or implement a comprehensive state plan to increase students' access to, and completion of, postsecondary education. Title VIII: Additional Programs - Strikes the following parts of title VIII of the HEA:

 E (American History for Freedom), H (Improving College Enrollment by Secondary Schools), I (Early Childhood Education Professional Development and Career Task Force), K (Pilot Programs to Increase College Persistence and Success), M (Low Tuition), N (Cooperative Education), O (College Partnership Grants), R (Campus-Based Digital Theft Prevention), U (University Sustainability Programs), V (Modeling and Simulation Programs), X (School of Veterinary Medicine Competitive Grant Program), and Y (Early Federal Pell Grant Commitment Demonstration Program). Replaces the program under part C (Business Workforce Partnerships for Job Skills Training in High-Growth Occupations or Industries) with a Community College and Industry Partnerships program for the development, improvement, or provision of educational or career training programs.

Reauthorizes the remaining title VIII programs.

Establishes the Tyler Clementi Program to award competitive grants to IHEs to address and prevent student harassment.

Title IX: Higher Education Opportunities and Supports for Students with Disabilities - Provides for the establishment and support of: (1) a National Technical Assistance Center for College Students With Disabilities and Their Families, (2) a National Technical Assistance Center for Disability Support Services at Institutions of Higher Education, (3) a National Data Center on Higher Education and Disability.

Establishes a competitive grant program to enable IHEs to create or expand high quality, inclusive, higher education programs for students with intellectual disabilities. Requires the establishment of a coordinating center for such programs that provides them with information, technical assistance, and evaluations.

Establishes a competitive grant program to enable IHEs to create or expand high quality, inclusive, model comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs for students who are deaf-blind. Requires the establishment of a coordinating center for such programs that provides them with information, technical assistance, and evaluations.

Directs the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board to establish, regularly review, and amend guidelines regarding the accessibility of all instructional materials for students who are attending IHEs that receive title IV funding.

Establishes a competitive grant program to support model demonstration programs to improve the access of postsecondary students with print disabilities to quality postsecondary instructional materials in specialized formats.

Requires certain producers of instructional materials for the postsecondary education market to include closed captions or subtitles in materials that incorporate synchronized audio and visual formats.

Directs the Secretary to establish the Advisory Commission on Serving and Supporting Students with Psychiatric Disabilities in Institutions of Higher Education to conduct a comprehensive study aimed at improving the opportunities for postsecondary students with psychiatric disabilities to receive services and supports that optimize their rates of retention and graduation.

Title X: Amendments to Other Laws - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to:

 require a lender, before issuing a private education loan for a student attending an IHE, to obtain specified certifications from the IHE; impose specified reporting requirements on issuers of private education loans; bar borrowers from making a pre-dispute waiver of their rights or remedies relating to a private education loan; require a private education lender to discharge the liability of borrowers in the event of their death or disability; subject postsecondary education lenders, loan holders, and loan servicers to civil liability; impose specified reporting requirements on financial institutions regarding any agreement they have with an IHE or its affiliates to offer consumer financial products or services to students; prohibit a financial institution that offers a consumer financial product or service that is affiliated with an IHE from entering into a revenue-sharing arrangement with the IHE; and impose specified consumer protection and disclosure requirements on student loan servicers. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the disclosure of tax return information to the Department of Education on student borrowers who are more than 150 days delinquent on an FFEL or DL.

Revises federal bankruptcy law to limit the hardship exception to the exemption of educational debts from discharge in bankruptcy to: (1) an educational benefit overpayment or loan made, insured, or guaranteed by a governmental unit or made under any program funded in whole or in part by a governmental unit; or (2) an obligation to repay funds received from a governmental unit as an educational benefit, scholarship, or stipend.

Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to set a 6% limitation on the interest rate that can be charged a servicemember during the servicemember's military service and one year thereafter on the student loans incurred by the servicemember prior to his or her military service, including student loans incurred prior to such service but consolidated or refinanced during that service.

Amends the United States Institute of Peace Act to reauthorize funding for the United States Institute of Peace.

Title XI: Reports, Studies, and Miscellaneous Provisions - Prohibits IHEs from participating in a federal financial assistance program unless they meet certain consumer protection requirements with respect to any of their students who are in a program of postsecondary education or training that is designed to prepare them for entry into a recognized occupation or profession that has pre-conditions for entry.

Requires:

 a longitudinal study of the effectiveness of student loan counseling, a study on public service loan forgiveness, a longitudinal study of the causes of student loan default, and a study on the impact of federal financial aid changes on graduate students. Directs the Secretaries of Education, Defense (DOD), and Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to establish and maintain a working group to assess and improve the resources available to federal personnel to assist members of the Armed Forces and their spouses in using DOD tuition assistance programs.

Directs the Secretary to establish an Institutional Risk-Sharing Commission to study and make recommendations for the implementation of a new risk-sharing system for IHEs that participate in the DL program through which IHEs would be held financially accountable for poor student outcomes.

Requires the the Comptroller General (GAO) to report to Congress on the educational attainment of homeless and foster care youth.

American Dream Accounts Act - Directs the Secretary to establish a competitive grant program enabling specified eligible entities to establish American Dream Accounts for a group of low-income students. Defines an "American Dream Account" as a personal online account for low-income students that monitors their readiness for higher education and includes a college savings account.

higher education affordability act amends higher education act hea revise reauthorize hea programs title general provisions requires proprietary institutions higher education student aid eligibility purposes derive revenue sources federal funds prohibits institutions higher education ihes affiliated consumer financial product service receiving hea funds specified steps avoid conflicts interest prohibits ihes postsecondary educational institutions revenues derived federal educational assistance funds recruiting marketing activities requires establishment new college cost assistance information resources students parents public enhancement existing resources prohibits state charging certain active duty military personnel homeless foster care youth tuition attending public institution higher education rate greater rate charged state residents directs secretary education establish complaint tracking system collect monitor respond complaints inquiries educational practices services recruiting marketing practices postsecondary educational institutions establishes oversee proprietary ihes publish annual warning list parents students certain issues facing schools title improving educator preparation revises title hea establish new program awarding grants partnerships high need local educational agencies leas high need schools ihes high need early childhood education programs design implement effective educator residency programs prepare educators success high need schools establishes new program awarding grants states reform improve educator preparation programs establishes new requiring educator preparation programs set annual quantifiable goals increasing number prospective educators trained educator shortage areas designated secretary applicable state requires states identify assist low performing educator preparation programs cuts federal funding programs lose state support funding low performance preserves honorable centers excellence program teach reach grant program new title iii institutional aid revises reauthorizes institutional aid programs title iii hea provide grants ihes serving high percentages minority low income students alters authorized uses grant funds requires secretary states cover costs certain ihes required provide tuition free education indian students incur providing education state indian students raises principal limit outstanding federally insured bonds finance historically black colleges universities title student assistance revises reauthorizes programs title hea establishes year round federal pell grant program allow eligible students accelerate time needed earn degree establishes demonstration programs encourage ihes improve performance enrolling graduating significant number low- moderate income students time explore effectiveness providing secondary school students early notification postsecondary financial aid options cost postsecondary education explore effectiveness providing adult students information postsecondary financial aid options cost postsecondary education explore ways delivering competency based postsecondary education programs assess student competencies credit hours potentially reduce costs students incur time need attain postsecondary degree establishes grants program allotting grants states offer dreamer students state tuition expand access state financial aid provides loan forgiveness federal_family_education_loan ffel federal direct loan programs certain indian teachers employed indian schools leas serve high percentage indian students reduces federal share grants federal share compensation provided students employed programs raises required ihe contribution funds federal_perkins_loans half federal contributions increases income protection allowances determining dependent independent students need title assistance directs secretary develop standard formats notifying borrower delinquent risk delinquent ffel repayment options ihe financial aid award letters students parents requires secretary publicize fiscal year ffel repayment default rates ihe participating title program establishes time fafsa free application federal student aid pilot program streamline process students apply federal financial assistance reduce need students apply assistance year allows students graduated secondary school receive title assistance enrolled eligible career pathway program determined demonstrate ability benefit education training offered requires ihes provide students information policy harassment additional frequent personalized information student assistance bans ihes participating title programs providing incentive compensation persons entities based success recruiting enrolling educating students placing employment including predispute arbitration agreement contract student authorizes secretary impose civil penalties sanctions ihes engage substantial misrepresentations violations title requirements directs secretary establish procedures automatically enroll delinquent ffel borrowers partial financial hardship income based repayment plan requires ihe enrolls student receives title assistance establish system disburse credit balances electronic payments deposit account general use prepaid card protections afforded electronic fund transfer act requires ihes provide secretary collect specified student unit record data prohibits accreditors requiring ihes enter predispute arbitration agreements students requires publicly disclose finalized accreditation documents relating academic institutional quality directs secretary conduct program reviews ihes pose significant risk failing comply title requirements establishes program award block grants states incentivize investment public higher education title developing institutions revises reauthorizes developing institutions grant program hispanic serving ihes title hea alters authorized uses grant funds title programs title hea title vii graduate postsecondary improvement programs reauthorizes graduate postsecondary improvement programs title vii hea establishes world competitive grant program help ihes implement innovative strategies designed increase postsecondary education access affordability completion programs assist minority serving institutions developing implementing replicating innovations enable economically educationally disadvantaged students enroll persist graduate schools program providing competitive grants states establish implement comprehensive state plan increase students access completion postsecondary education title viii following parts title viii hea early childhood education professional development career task force success low tuition college partnership grants campus based digital theft prevention modeling simulation programs school veterinary medicine competitive grant program early federal pell grant commitment demonstration program replaces program high growth occupations industries program development improvement provision educational career training programs reauthorizes remaining title viii programs establishes tyler clementi program award competitive grants ihes address prevent student harassment title establishment support institutions higher education establishes competitive grant program enable ihes create expand high quality inclusive higher education programs students intellectual disabilities requires establishment coordinating center programs provides information technical assistance evaluations establishes competitive grant program enable ihes create expand high quality inclusive model comprehensive transition postsecondary programs students deaf blind requires establishment coordinating center programs provides information technical assistance evaluations directs architectural_and_transportation_barriers_compliance_board establish regularly review amend guidelines accessibility instructional materials students attending ihes receive title funding establishes competitive grant program support model demonstration programs improve access postsecondary students print disabilities quality postsecondary instructional materials specialized formats requires certain producers instructional materials postsecondary education market include closed subtitles materials incorporate audio visual formats directs secretary establish institutions higher education conduct comprehensive study aimed improving opportunities postsecondary students psychiatric disabilities receive services supports optimize rates retention graduation title amendments laws amends truth lending act require lender issuing private education loan student attending ihe obtain specified certifications ihe impose specified reporting requirements issuers private education loans bar borrowers making pre dispute waiver rights remedies relating private education loan require private education lender discharge liability borrowers event death disability subject postsecondary education lenders loan holders loan servicers civil liability impose specified reporting requirements financial institutions agreement ihe affiliates offer consumer financial products services students prohibit financial institution offers consumer financial product service affiliated ihe entering revenue sharing arrangement ihe impose specified consumer protection disclosure requirements student loan servicers amends internal revenue code authorize disclosure tax return information department_of_education student borrowers days delinquent ffel revises federal bankruptcy law limit hardship exception exemption educational debts discharge bankruptcy educational benefit overpayment loan insured guaranteed governmental unit program funded governmental unit obligation repay funds received governmental unit educational benefit scholarship stipend amends servicemembers civil relief act set limitation interest rate charged servicemember servicemember military service year student loans incurred servicemember prior military service including student loans incurred prior service consolidated refinanced service amends peace act reauthorize funding title reports studies ihes participating federal financial assistance program meet certain consumer protection requirements respect students program postsecondary education training designed prepare entry recognized occupation profession pre conditions entry requires longitudinal study effectiveness student loan counseling study public service loan forgiveness longitudinal study causes student loan default study impact federal financial aid changes graduate students directs defense dod veterans_affairs director consumer_financial_protection_bureau cfpb establish maintain working group assess improve resources available federal personnel assist members armed_forces spouses dod tuition assistance programs directs secretary establish institutional risk sharing commission study recommendations implementation new risk sharing system ihes participate program ihes held financially accountable poor student outcomes requires comptroller general gao report congress educational attainment homeless foster care youth american dream accounts act directs secretary establish competitive grant program enabling specified eligible entities establish american_dream_accounts group low income students defines american dream account personal online account low income students monitors readiness higher education includes college savings account