Summary:
Veterans Education Priority Enrollment Act of 2015

Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or a state approving agency from approving a program of education offered by an educational institution for purposes of an educational assistance program for veterans or members of the Selected Reserve or the Ready Reserve of the Armed Forces unless any such institution that administers a priority enrollment system allows an eligible veteran, member, or dependent to enroll in courses at the earliest possible time.

enrollment act prohibits secretary veterans_affairs state approving agency approving program education offered educational institution purposes educational assistance program veterans members selected_reserve ready_reserve_of_the_armed_forces institution administers priority enrollment system allows eligible veteran member dependent enroll courses earliest possible time


Summary:
Federal Adjustment in Reporting Student Credit Act of 2015 or the FAIR Student Credit Act of 2015

Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to allow a person to request the removal of a previously reported default regarding a qualified education loan from a consumer report if: (1) the lender chooses to offer a loan rehabilitation program that requires a number of consecutive on-time monthly payments equal to the number of payments specified in a default reduction program under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and (2) the consumer of such loan successfully and voluntarily meets the requirements of that loan rehabilitation program.

Permits a consumer to obtain such rehabilitation benefits only once per loan.

Requires the Government Accountability Office to report on any hurdles borrowers experience with the private loan rehabilitation program.

reporting student credit act fair student credit act amends fair credit reporting act allow person request removal previously reported default qualified education loan consumer report lender chooses offer loan rehabilitation program requires number consecutive time monthly payments equal number payments specified default reduction program higher education act consumer loan successfully voluntarily meets requirements loan rehabilitation program permits consumer obtain rehabilitation benefits loan requires government accountability office report borrowers experience private loan rehabilitation program


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to eliminate the expected family contribution (EFC) used to determine financial need in the case of a Pell Grant-eligible student whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty as a police officer, firefighter, or other public safety officer. Such student is eligible to receive an automatic zero EFC and qualify for the maximum Pell Grant award if the student was less than 24 years old or enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of the parent or guardian's death. (Sec. 4) It specifies procedures for determining the budgetary effects of this bill for compliance with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) Act of 2010.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure scholarship act sec bill amends higher education act eliminate expected family contribution determine financial need case student parent guardian died line duty police officer firefighter public safety officer student eligible receive automatic zero qualify maximum pell_grant award student years old enrolled institution higher education time parent guardian death sec specifies procedures determining budgetary effects bill compliance statutory pay paygo act


Summary:
College Affordability and Innovation Act of 2015

This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to award 5-year grants to up to 15 institutions of higher education (IHEs) to carry out new or existing high-quality programs designed to graduate students with certificates or degrees at significantly lower student costs and within shorter time periods than traditional programs.

Included among the programs are those that:

 use online instruction; use direct assessments rather than credit hours or clock hours as the measure of student learning; integrate experiential learning and customized curricula to promote completion or alignment with medium- and long-term employment needs; allow students to be dually or concurrently enrolled in the postsecondary program and a secondary school, or a postsecondary program and a graduate program; allow the transfer of credits from secondary to postsecondary to graduate programs to encourage early and on-time completion of a postsecondary degree or certificate; or use any other innovative, evidence-based method of providing students with a cost-effective, high-quality, postsecondary education. ED may waive the application to grantees of specified provisions of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) that would inhibit their operation of innovative education programs.

ED must establish and annually administer an evaluation and accountability process for the programs, review policies and identify those that impede the development and use of innovative methods, establish measures to assess program quality, and direct a third party to conduct a final evaluation of the effectiveness of each program.

The bill requires the establishment of a Commission on Higher Education Accountability Standards, composed of higher education stakeholders, to make recommendations on a set of minimum accountability standards IHEs' undergraduate programs must meet with respect to affordability, accessibility, and value in order to participate in the programs under title IV (Student Assistance) of the HEA.

After considering those recommendations, ED must establish IHE affordablity, accessibility, and value accountability standards that, at a minimum, take into account each IHE's: (1) average or mean cost of attendance, minus grant aid; (2) percentage of enrolled students who are recipients of a Federal Pell Grant; and (3) student loan repayment rates.

Schools that do not comply with these standards are deemed to be on probation and must work with ED to achieve compliance within five years. They are required to pay to ED a percentage of the title IV funds made available to undergraduate students, determined according to the number of years (from two to four) after that determination. Schools that fail to achieve compliance within five years of being placed on probation become ineligible for title IV funds.

Amounts collected from noncompliant schools will be placed in a fund for the award of competitive grants to IHEs that meet or exceed the accountability standards. The grant funds must be used to provide need-based aid to students who are eligible for Federal Pell Grants.

college affordability innovation act bill directs award year grants institutions higher education ihes carry new existing high quality programs designed graduate students certificates degrees significantly lower student costs shorter time periods traditional programs included programs use online instruction use direct assessments credit hours clock hours measure student learning integrate experiential learning customized curricula promote completion alignment medium- long term employment needs allow students dually concurrently enrolled postsecondary program secondary school postsecondary program graduate program allow transfer credits secondary postsecondary graduate programs encourage early time completion postsecondary degree certificate use innovative evidence based method providing students cost effective high quality postsecondary education waive application grantees specified provisions higher education act hea inhibit operation innovative education programs establish annually administer evaluation accountability process programs review policies identify impede development use innovative methods establish measures assess program quality direct party conduct final evaluation effectiveness program bill requires establishment commission higher education accountability standards composed higher education stakeholders recommendations set minimum accountability standards ihes undergraduate programs meet respect affordability accessibility value order participate programs title student assistance hea considering recommendations establish ihe accessibility value accountability standards minimum account ihe average mean cost attendance minus grant aid percentage enrolled students recipients federal pell grant student loan repayment rates schools comply standards deemed probation work achieve compliance years required pay percentage title funds available undergraduate students determined according number years determination schools fail achieve compliance years placed probation ineligible title funds amounts collected noncompliant schools placed fund award competitive grants ihes meet exceed accountability standards grant funds provide need based aid students eligible federal pell_grants


Summary:
College for All Act

This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to states to eliminate tuition and required fees at public institutions of higher education (IHEs).

It also amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to:

 modify provisions related to interest rates on federal student loans to revise rates applicable to new loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2015; allow student loan borrowers to modify interest rates on outstanding federal student loans to current rates; reauthorize the Federal Work Study program for FY2016-FY2020; eliminate existing base guarantees of Federal Work Study funds to IHEs and require funds to be allocated based solely on the aggregate need of the institution’s students; authorize ED to establish a pilot program to streamline the federal financial assistance application process and reduce the need for students to apply for financial assistance each year; and require ED to use tax information from the second preceding tax year (the “prior, prior year”) to determine a student’s financial aid eligibility. Inclusive Prosperity Act of 2015

To offset the cost, this bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a transaction tax on certain securities transfers. An individual taxpayer whose modified adjusted gross income does not exceed $50,000 ($75,000 for married taxpayers filing joint returns) is eligible for a tax credit for the amount of tax paid on covered transactions.

college act bill directs award grants states eliminate tuition required fees public institutions higher education ihes amends higher education act modify provisions related interest rates federal student loans revise rates applicable new loans disbursed july allow student loan borrowers modify interest rates outstanding federal student loans current rates reauthorize program fy2016-fy2020 eliminate existing base guarantees funds ihes require funds allocated based solely aggregate need institution students authorize establish pilot program streamline federal financial assistance application process reduce need students apply financial assistance year require use tax information second preceding tax year prior prior year determine student financial aid eligibility inclusive prosperity act offset cost bill amends internal_revenue_code impose transaction tax certain securities transfers individual taxpayer modified adjusted gross income exceed married taxpayers filing joint returns eligible tax credit tax paid covered transactions


Summary:
Foreign Medical School Accountability Fairness Act of 2015

This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require all foreign medical schools to meet minimum requirements for percentage of foreign students and for percentage of students passing exams administered by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates in order for students to be eligible for William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans. (Currently, the Department of Education may establish alternative standards and certain clinical training programs are grandfathered.)

Students continue to be eligible for a loan if, on the date of enactment of this Act, they are enrolled in a foreign medical school that loses eligibility as a result of this Act.

bill amends higher education act require foreign medical schools meet minimum requirements percentage foreign students percentage students passing exams administered educational_commission_for_foreign_medical_graduates order students eligible currently department_of_education establish alternative standards certain clinical training programs grandfathered students continue eligible loan date enactment act enrolled foreign medical school loses eligibility result act


Summary:
Andrew Prior Act or Andrew's Law

This bill amends the Truth in Lending Act to discharge the repayment obligations of the estate of a borrower and any cosigner of a private educational loan if the borrower dies.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) must develop necessary and appropriate safeguards to prevent fraud and abuse in the discharge of those obligations.

The CFPB may promulgate regulations to reinstate those obligations in any case in which it determines that doing so is necessary to protect the public interest.

law bill amends truth lending act discharge repayment obligations estate borrower cosigner private educational loan borrower dies consumer_financial_protection_bureau cfpb develop necessary appropriate safeguards prevent fraud abuse discharge obligations cfpb promulgate regulations reinstate obligations case determines necessary protect public interest


Summary:
Higher Education Tax Benefit Compliance Improvement Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) exempt an institution of higher education from tax penalties for failure to provide the tax identification number (TIN) of a person who claims a tax credit for tuition and related expenses if such institution certifies that it has complied with standards for obtaining the TIN, and (2) disallow the American Opportunity tax credit and the tax deduction for tuition and related expenses unless the taxpayer receives a payee statement containing the TIN of the individual claiming the credit or the deduction.

bill amends internal_revenue_code exempt institution higher education tax penalties failure provide tax identification number tin person claims tax credit tuition related expenses institution certifies complied standards obtaining tin disallow american_opportunity tax credit tax deduction tuition related expenses taxpayer receives payee statement containing tin individual claiming credit deduction


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.)

Need-Based Educational Aid Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Improving America's Schools Act of 1994 to extend through FY2022 the antitrust exemption that allows institutions of higher education that admit all students on a need-blind basis to enter or attempt to enter into agreements among themselves regarding the administration of need-based financial aid.

The bill also, however, repeals the permission for these institutions to exchange through an independent third party, before awarding financial aid to any of the students, data submitted by the student, his or her family, or a financial institution on their behalf relating to assets, liabilities, income, expenses, the number of family members, and the number of the student's siblings in college, if each of the institutions is permitted to retrieve the data only once with respect to the student.

measure amended introduced expanded summary senate reported version repeated sec bill amends schools act extend fy2022 antitrust exemption allows institutions higher education admit students need blind basis enter attempt enter agreements administration need based financial aid bill repeals permission institutions exchange independent party awarding financial aid students data submitted student family financial institution behalf relating assets liabilities income expenses number family members number student siblings college institutions permitted retrieve data respect student


Summary:
Adjunct Faculty Loan Fairness Act of 2015

This bill 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 bill 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:
Servicemember Student Loan Affordability Act of 2015

Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to extend the 6% interest rate limitation on debt entered into during a servicemember's military service to any debt entered into to consolidate or refinance one or more student loans incurred before such service.

servicemember amends servicemembers civil relief act extend interest rate limitation debt entered servicemember military service debt entered consolidate refinance student loans incurred service


Summary:
Military and Veterans Education Protection Act

This bill 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 federal educational assistance, or risk becoming ineligible for title IV funding. Federal educational assistance includes title IV federal student aid and federal educational assistance for military personnel and veterans. Currently, this so-called 90/10 rule requires proprietary institutions to derive at least 10% of their revenue from sources other than title IV federal student aid, but it allows federal educational assistance for military personnel and veterans to count toward the 10%.

military act bill amends title student assistance higher education act require proprietary institutions higher education derive revenue sources federal educational assistance risk ineligible title funding federal educational assistance includes title federal student aid federal educational assistance military personnel veterans currently called rule requires proprietary institutions derive revenue sources title federal student aid allows federal educational assistance military personnel veterans count


Summary:
America's College Promise Act of 2015

This bill authorizes the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to states and Indian tribes to waive tuition and fees at community colleges. To receive a grant, states and Indian tribes must agree to waive tuition and fees at all their community colleges and for all eligible students.

An eligible student is a first-time student who: (1) qualifies for resident tuition; (2) enrolls at least half-time; (3) maintains satisfactory academic progress; and (4) enrolls in an academic program with credits that are fully transferable to any public institution of higher education in the state or enrolls in a training program that leads to credentials in an in-demand industry.

The bill appropriates $1.4 billion in FY2016 and $79.7 billion over FY2016-FY2025 to make grants under this community college program.

This bill also authorizes ED to award grants to four-year historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions (MSIs) to waive or reduce tuition and fees for up to 60 credits for low-income students.

HBCUs and MSIs that participate must: (1) enroll a student body that contains at least 35% low-income students; (2) maintain or adopt reforms and practices to improve completion rates and student outcomes; (3) set performance goals; and (4) execute an articulation agreement with community colleges, if accepting transfer students.

It appropriates $55 million for FY2016 and $10.1 billion over FY2016-FY2025 to make grants under this HBCU/MSI program.

america college promise act bill authorizes award grants states indian tribes waive tuition fees community colleges receive grant states indian tribes agree waive tuition fees community colleges eligible students eligible student time student qualifies resident tuition enrolls half time maintains satisfactory academic progress enrolls academic program credits fully transferable public institution higher education state enrolls training program leads credentials demand industry bill appropriates billion fy2016 billion fy2016 fy2025 grants community college program bill authorizes award grants year historically black colleges universities minority serving institutions msis waive reduce tuition fees credits low income students msis participate enroll student body contains low income students maintain adopt reforms practices improve completion rates student outcomes set performance goals execute articulation agreement community colleges accepting transfer students appropriates million fy2016 billion fy2016 fy2025 grants program


Summary:
Simplifying Financial Aid for Students Act of 2015

 This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Department of Education (ED) to provide for the use of tax information from the second preceding tax year (the "prior, prior year") to determine a student's financial aid eligibility. It requires data sharing between the Internal Revenue Service and ED, pursuant to taxpayer consent.

 The bill also increases from $23,000 to $30,000 the adjusted gross income threshold used to determine whether a student qualifies for an automatic zero expected family contribution (EFC) in the calculation of such student's financial need. A dependent student is eligible for an automatic zero EFC if the student's parents have adjusted gross income up to $30,000. An independent student with non-spouse dependents is eligible for a zero EFC if the student and spouse have adjusted gross income up to $30,000.

simplifying financial aid students act bill amends title student assistance higher education act require provide use tax information second preceding tax year prior prior year determine student financial aid eligibility requires data sharing internal_revenue_service pursuant taxpayer consent bill increases adjusted gross income threshold determine student qualifies automatic zero expected family contribution calculation student financial need dependent student eligible automatic zero student parents adjusted gross income independent student non spouse dependents eligible zero student spouse adjusted gross income


Summary:
Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students Act of 2015 or the JOBS Act of 2015 This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish the Job Training Federal Pell Grant Program. The Department of Education must award job training Federal Pell Grants to eligible students.

An eligible student is one who does not have a degree, attends an institution of higher education (IHE), is enrolled in a job training program at such IHE, and meets all other eligibility requirements for a Federal Pell Grant.

The maximum job training Federal Pell Grant award is 50% of the discretionary base maximum award specified in annual appropriations law.

Any period during which a student receives a job training Federal Pell Grant counts toward that student's Federal Pell Grant eligibility period.

jumpstart businesses supporting students act jobs act bill amends title student assistance higher education act establish job training federal pell grant program department_of_education award job training federal pell_grants eligible students eligible student degree attends institution higher education ihe enrolled job training program ihe meets eligibility requirements federal pell grant maximum job training federal pell grant award discretionary base maximum award specified annual appropriations law period student receives job training federal pell grant counts student federal pell grant eligibility period


Summary:
Protecting Financial Aid for Students and Taxpayers Act

 This bill amends the Higher Education Opportunity Act to prohibit an institution of higher education (IHE) or postsecondary educational institution from using revenues derived from federal educational assistance funds for recruiting or marketing activities.

Federal educational assistance funds include federal student aid under title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, education benefits for military personnel and veterans, and grants for workforce development programs.

An IHE or postsecondary educational institution must annually certify compliance with this requirement to retain eligibility to participate in title IV federal student aid programs.

bill amends opportunity act prohibit institution higher education ihe postsecondary educational institution revenues derived federal educational assistance funds recruiting marketing activities federal educational assistance funds include federal student aid title student assistance higher education act education benefits military personnel veterans grants workforce development programs ihe postsecondary educational institution annually certify compliance requirement retain eligibility participate title federal student aid programs


Summary:
Career-Ready Student Veterans Act of 2015

This bill adds the following new criteria for state approval, for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational assistance, of applications of educational institutions providing veterans with non-accredited courses:

 any program designed to prepare an individual for state licensure or certification must meet state instructional curriculum licensure or certification requirements, and any program designed to prepare an individual for employment pursuant to standards developed by a state board or agency in an occupation requiring approval or licensure must be approved or licensed by that state board or agency. The VA may waive either of these two requirements if:

 the educational institution is accredited by an agency or association recognized by the Secretary of Education; the program did not meet the requirements at any time during the two-year period preceding the waiver date; the waiver furthers the purposes of the educational assistance programs or would further the education interests of individuals eligible for assistance under such programs; and the educational institution does not provide any incentive payment based on securing enrollments or financial aid to any persons or entities engaged in student recruiting or admission activities or in making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance, except for recruitment of foreign students residing in foreign countries who are ineligible for federal student assistance. The criteria added by this Act also apply to approval of accredited courses at for-profit educational institutions.

 The VA shall disapprove a course of education added by this Act unless the educational institution providing the course publicly discloses any conditions or additional requirements, including training, experience, or exams, required to obtain the license, certification, or approval for which the course of education is designed to provide preparation.

career ready student veterans act bill adds following new criteria state approval department_of_veterans_affairs educational assistance applications educational institutions providing veterans non accredited courses program designed prepare individual state licensure certification meet state instructional curriculum licensure certification requirements program designed prepare individual employment pursuant standards developed state board agency occupation requiring approval licensure approved licensed state board agency waive requirements educational institution accredited agency association recognized secretary education program meet requirements time year period preceding waiver date waiver furthers purposes educational assistance programs education interests individuals eligible assistance programs educational institution provide incentive payment based securing enrollments financial aid persons entities engaged student recruiting admission activities making decisions award student financial assistance recruitment foreign students residing foreign countries ineligible federal student assistance criteria added act apply approval accredited courses profit educational institutions shall disapprove course education added act educational institution providing course publicly discloses conditions additional requirements including training experience exams required obtain license certification approval course education designed provide preparation


Summary:
Student Protection and Success Act

This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to make institutions of higher education with low cohort repayment rates ineligible to participate in the federal student loan program and to establish a risk-sharing program to support institutions serving low- and moderate-income students.

The cohort repayment rate is the percentage of borrowers who pay at least one dollar toward the principal of their federal loans over a three-year period. It excludes borrowers who are in default, deferments, mandatory forbearance on repayment of a loan, or the Peace Corps.

Institutions with rates equal to or less than the cut-off rate are ineligible to participate in the federal student loan program under title IV of the HEA for three years. During the first year the bill is in effect, the cut-off rate is 45%. In subsequent years, the rate is the higher of the previous year's rate or 10% below the national average for the same type of institution, but must be below 70%. Institutions may appeal the loss of eligibility within 30 days of being notified by the Department of Education (ED).

The bill requires ED to award grants to institutions with a strong record of supporting low- and moderate-income students and funds the grants by requiring institutions with certain nonrepayment loan balances to make risk-sharing payments.

The institutions may use the grants to increase college access and success for the students using investments and practices such as: awarding additional need-based financial aid, enhancing academic and student support services, and accelerated learning opportunities.

success act bill amends higher education act hea institutions higher education low cohort repayment rates ineligible participate federal student loan program establish risk sharing program support institutions serving low- moderate income students cohort repayment rate percentage borrowers pay dollar principal federal loans year period excludes borrowers default deferments mandatory forbearance repayment loan peace_corps institutions rates equal cut rate ineligible participate federal student loan program title hea years year bill effect cut rate subsequent years rate higher previous year rate national average type institution institutions appeal loss eligibility days notified bill requires award grants institutions strong record supporting low- moderate income students funds grants requiring institutions certain loan balances risk sharing payments institutions use grants increase college access success students investments practices awarding additional need based financial aid enhancing academic student support services accelerated learning opportunities


Summary:
Income-Based Repayment Debt Forgiveness Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income, for income tax purposes, income imputed from the discharge of student loan indebtedness pursuant to a federal program that provides for income contingent or income-based repayment of such loan.

forgiveness act amends internal revenue code exclude gross income income tax purposes income imputed discharge student loan indebtedness pursuant federal program provides income contingent income based repayment loan


Summary:
Access to Fair Financial Options for Repaying Debt Act of 2015 or the AFFORD Act

This bill terminates existing federal student loan repayment plan options for borrowers of federal Direct Loan (DL) program loans issued on or after July 1, 2016.

It amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish two new repayment plan options.

First, the bill creates a new version of the income-based repayment (IBR) plan that includes capping monthly payments at 10% of discretionary income, setting a 20-year maximum repayment period, broadening eligible borrowers to include borrowers without a partial financial hardship, and expanding qualifying loans to include parent PLUS loans and consolidation loans that repay parent PLUS loans.

Second, it establishes a fixed repayment plan in which an enrolled borrower makes fixed monthly payments over a maximum repayment period of 10, 15, 20, or 25 years depending on the total federal loan balance at repayment.

A borrower of a DL program loan issued on or after July 1, 2016, must enroll in the new IBR or fixed repayment plan. A borrower repaying a DL or Federal Family Education Loan program loan issued before July 1, 2016, may retain enrollment in the existing repayment plan or elect to enroll in the new IBR or fixed repayment plan.

This bill requires an institution of higher education that participates in federal student aid programs to: (1) provide, as part of entrance counseling, information on the new IBR and fixed repayment plan options; (2) offer voluntary annual loan counseling to each enrolled student who is known to have one or more student loans; and (3) explain, during exit counseling, a borrower's options to prepay a loan, accelerate a payment schedule, and change a repayment plan.

afford act bill terminates existing federal student loan repayment plan options borrowers federal direct_loan program loans issued july amends title student assistance higher education act establish new repayment plan options bill creates new version income based repayment plan includes capping monthly payments discretionary income setting year maximum repayment period broadening eligible borrowers include borrowers partial financial hardship expanding qualifying loans include parent plus loans consolidation loans repay parent plus loans second establishes fixed repayment plan enrolled borrower makes fixed monthly payments maximum repayment period years depending total federal loan balance repayment borrower program loan issued july enroll new fixed repayment plan borrower repaying federal_family_education_loan program loan issued july retain enrollment existing repayment plan elect enroll new fixed repayment plan bill requires institution higher education participates federal student aid programs provide entrance counseling information new fixed repayment plan options offer voluntary annual loan counseling enrolled student known student loans explain exit counseling borrower options prepay loan accelerate payment schedule change repayment plan


Summary:
Christopher Bryski Student Loan Protection Act or Christopher's Law

This bill amends the Truth in Lending Act to require a private student loan lender to disclose clearly and conspicuously in writing a cosigner's obligations regarding a private student loan. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) must publish a model form for such disclosure.

 The bill prohibits a private student loan lender from taking an adverse action against a borrower (e.g., placing a loan in default or accelerating a loan balance) upon a cosigner's death, disability, or bankruptcy. It also prohibits adverse actions against a cosigner for a borrower's death, disability, or bankruptcy.

 The CFPB must establish and a private student loan lender must disclose criteria for releasing a cosigner from a private student loan obligation.

A private student loan lender must also:

 provide prompt notice of a cosigner's release; allow a borrower to designate a legal representative to make decisions upon the death or disability of such borrower; and ensure a borrower and cosigner receive comprehensive counseling on the terms, conditions, and responsibilities of a private student loan. Additionally, this bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand the required elements of entrance counseling for a federal student loan borrower to include:

 conditions for loan discharge upon the death or disability of a borrower, options for loan repayment and forgiveness upon the death or disability of a borrower or cosigner, and obligations of a borrower or cosigner upon the death or disability of a borrower. It requires clear and conspicuous disclosure of a student's option to designate a legal representative to make decisions about a federal student loan upon such student's death or disability.

christopher_bryski_student_loan_protection_act christopher law bill amends truth lending act require private student loan lender disclose clearly conspicuously writing cosigner obligations private student loan consumer_financial_protection_bureau cfpb publish model form disclosure bill prohibits private student loan lender taking adverse action borrower placing loan default accelerating loan balance cosigner death disability bankruptcy prohibits adverse actions cosigner borrower death disability bankruptcy cfpb establish private student loan lender disclose criteria releasing cosigner private student loan obligation private student loan lender provide prompt notice cosigner release allow borrower designate legal representative decisions death disability borrower ensure borrower cosigner receive comprehensive counseling terms conditions responsibilities private student loan additionally bill amends title student assistance higher education act expand required elements entrance counseling federal student loan borrower include conditions loan discharge death disability borrower options loan repayment forgiveness death disability borrower cosigner obligations borrower cosigner death disability borrower requires clear conspicuous disclosure student option designate legal representative decisions federal student loan student death disability


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow an unlimited tax deduction for student loan interest, (2) repeal the dollar limitation on the tax deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses and make such deduction permanent; (3) allow a carryover to succeeding taxable years of amounts of the deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses that exceed a taxpayer's taxable income; and (4) repeal the dollar limitation on contributions to a Coverdell Education Savings Account.

amends internal revenue code allow unlimited tax deduction student loan interest repeal dollar limitation tax deduction qualified tuition related expenses deduction permanent allow carryover succeeding taxable years amounts deduction qualified tuition related expenses exceed taxpayer taxable income repeal dollar limitation contributions


Summary:
Creating Higher Education Affordability Necessary to Compete Economically Act or the Middle Class CHANCE Act This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to modify provisions related to the Federal Pell Grant program.

Specifically, it increases the maximum Federal Pell Grant award for academic year 2016-2017 and adjusts it in subsequent award years to account for changes in the Consumer Price Index.

The bill also increases from one to two the number of Pell Grants an eligible student may receive in a single award year (i.e., it restores year-round Pell Grants). An eligible student is a student who has already received one Pell Grant for an award year and is enrolled in an eligible program for an additional payment period (e.g., a summer term) during the same award year. A student's total amount of Pell Grants must not exceed 150% of the maximum Pell Grant for that award year. Also, any period during which a student receives an additional Pell Grant counts toward that student's lifetime Pell Grant eligibility period.

The bill increases from 12 to 15 semesters a student's lifetime Federal Pell Grant eligibility period.

creating higher education affordability necessary compete economically act middle class chance act bill amends title student assistance higher education act modify provisions related federal pell grant program specifically increases maximum federal pell grant award academic year adjusts subsequent award years account changes consumer price index bill increases number pell_grants eligible student receive single award year restores year round pell_grants eligible student student received pell_grant award year enrolled eligible program additional payment period summer term award year student total pell_grants exceed maximum pell_grant award year period student receives additional pell_grant counts student lifetime pell_grant eligibility period bill increases semesters student lifetime federal pell grant eligibility period


Summary:
Pell Grant Restoration Act of 2015

 This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to restore a student's Pell Grant eligibility for any period of time during which the student qualified for, or would have qualified for, federal student loan forgiveness due to school closure, assertion of a defense against repayment, or institutional fraud or misconduct.

Specifically, this bill provides that Pell Grants received by a student during that period of time do not count toward the student's lifetime limit on Pell Grant eligibility (currently 12 full-time semesters).

pell grant restoration act bill amends title student assistance higher education act restore student pell_grant eligibility period time student qualified qualified federal student loan forgiveness school closure assertion defense repayment institutional fraud misconduct specifically bill provides pell_grants received student period time count student lifetime limit pell_grant eligibility currently time semesters


Summary:
Know Before You Owe Federal Student Loan Act of 2015

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand lender disclosure requirements.

A lender must provide a statement to a Federal Family Education Loan or Direct Loan borrower during a period when loan payments are not required. Such statement must include the current loan balance, original principal loan amount, interest rate, total interest paid, aggregate payments, lender or servicer contact information, and accumulated interest amount. It must also explain the option to pay accrued interest before it capitalizes and suggest a payment amount based on interest charged.

Additionally, the legislation modifies loan counseling requirements for an institution of higher education (IHE) that participates in federal student aid programs.

Currently, an IHE must provide one-time entrance counseling to a student who is a first-time federal student loan borrower. This bill requires an IHE to provide pre-loan counseling to a student borrower of a federal student loan at or prior to the first disbursement of each new loan.

It revises and expands required elements of pre-loan counseling to include a borrower's estimated debt-to-income ratio at graduation, a statement to borrow the minimum necessary amount, a warning that high debt-to-income ratio makes repayment more difficult, options to reduce borrowing, and an explanation of the importance of on-time graduation.

Prior to certifying a Federal Direct Loan disbursement to a student, an IHE must ensure that such student manually enters the exact dollar amount of the loan.

know owe federal student loan act bill amends title student assistance higher education act expand lender disclosure requirements lender provide statement federal_family_education_loan direct_loan borrower period loan payments required statement include current loan balance original principal loan interest rate total interest paid aggregate payments lender servicer contact information accumulated interest explain option pay accrued interest suggest payment based interest charged additionally legislation modifies loan counseling requirements institution higher education ihe participates federal student aid programs currently ihe provide time entrance counseling student time federal student loan borrower bill requires ihe provide pre loan counseling student borrower federal student loan prior disbursement new loan revises expands required elements pre loan counseling include borrower estimated debt income ratio graduation statement borrow minimum necessary warning high debt income ratio makes repayment difficult options reduce borrowing explanation importance time graduation prior certifying federal_direct_loan disbursement student ihe ensure student enters exact dollar loan


Summary:
Private Education Loan Modification Act of 2015

This bill temporarily authorizes the Department of the Treasury to establish credit facilities, at no net cost to the federal government, to refinance private student loans to ensure lower interest rates for borrowers. Treasury must first determine that existing borrowers are unable to secure adequate credit accommodations to refinance private student loans.

The bill directs Treasury to conduct a national awareness campaign to alert private student loan borrowers who may benefit.

It expresses the sense of the Congress that federal financial institutions and federally chartered private entities should assist borrowers in refinancing existing private student loans.

bill temporarily authorizes department_of_the_treasury establish credit facilities net cost federal government refinance private student loans ensure lower interest rates borrowers treasury determine existing borrowers unable secure adequate credit accommodations refinance private student loans bill directs treasury conduct national awareness campaign alert private student loan borrowers benefit expresses sense congress federal financial institutions federally chartered private entities assist borrowers refinancing existing private student loans


Summary:
Career and Technical Education Opportunity Act

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand the programs eligible to participate in federal student aid.

Specifically, it makes eligible for Direct Loan program and Federal Perkins Loan program participation an educational program that provides at least 250 hours of instruction over a minimum of 5 weeks that leads to an industry-recognized credential.

An industry-recognized credential: (1) is high quality, as demonstrated by the institution offering the program; (2) meets local or regional workforce needs; and (3) is endorsed by a national industry trade association.

bill amends title student assistance higher education act expand programs eligible participate federal student aid specifically makes eligible direct_loan program federal_perkins_loan program participation educational program provides hours instruction minimum weeks leads industry recognized credential industry recognized credential high quality demonstrated institution offering program meets local regional workforce needs endorsed national industry trade association


Summary:
Working Student Act of 2015

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to modify the income protection allowance levels used to calculate a student's expected family contribution and need for financial assistance. (An income protection allowance is an amount for basic living expenses that is protected from being considered income available for postsecondary educational expenses.)

 Specifically, the bill increases, in academic year 2016-2017, income protection allowance levels for students who are dependent, independent without non-spouse dependents (e.g., children), and independent with non-spouse dependents to reduce such students' income available (and increase need for financial assistance) to cover postsecondary educational expenses.

 The Department of Education must, in subsequent years, adjust the income protection allowance levels for inflation.

bill amends title student assistance higher education act modify income protection allowance levels calculate student expected family contribution need financial assistance income protection allowance basic living expenses protected considered income available postsecondary educational expenses specifically bill increases academic year income protection allowance levels students dependent independent non spouse dependents children independent non spouse dependents reduce students income available increase need financial assistance cover postsecondary educational expenses department_of_education subsequent years adjust income protection allowance levels inflation


Summary:
Students Before Profits Act of 2015

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Department of Education (ED) to recalculate the cohort default rate and redetermine title IV eligibility for an institution of higher education (IHE) that engages in default manipulation.

 ED may impose enhanced civil penalties and sanctions on IHEs and officers for substantial misrepresentation or other serious violations of title IV requirements. The bill requires ED to establish the Student Relief Fund, financed by civil penalties, to provide financial relief to students enrolled in an IHE that is sanctioned or fails to comply with title IV requirements.

If ED takes an enforcement action (e.g., heightened financial oversight) against a proprietary (i.e., for-profit) IHE, then ED may hold the executive officer of such proprietary IHE personally liable for financial losses related to the enforcement action. Additionally, ED may pursue claims against an IHE's executive officers and board of directors to recover discharged federal student loans.

A proprietary IHE must, as a condition of continued eligibility to participate in title IV programs, prohibit an individual who defrauds students from being a member of the board of directors or an executive officer of the institution.

students profits act bill amends title student assistance higher education act require cohort default rate redetermine title eligibility institution higher education ihe engages default manipulation impose enhanced civil penalties sanctions ihes officers substantial misrepresentation violations title requirements bill requires establish financed civil penalties provide financial relief students enrolled ihe sanctioned fails comply title requirements takes enforcement action heightened financial oversight proprietary profit ihe hold executive officer proprietary ihe personally liable financial losses related enforcement action additionally pursue claims ihe executive officers board directors recover discharged federal student loans proprietary ihe condition continued eligibility participate title programs prohibit individual students member board directors executive officer institution


Summary:
Student Loan Relief Act of 2015

This bill authorizes the Department of the Treasury to establish a temporary three-year program to facilitate federal student loan refinancing into the private market, at no cost to the federal government, to ensure payment of lower interest rates on student loans. Private lenders under such refinancing program shall be eligible to receive a federal government guarantee of 95% of loans.

Treasury shall, in consultation with the Department of Education, begin a national awareness campaign to alert student loan borrowers about such refinancing program with a disclosure that a private loan that results from such refinancing is not eligible for income driven repayment or loan forgivingness.

The bill 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. The term "qualified education refinance loan" means 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.

student loan relief act bill authorizes department_of_the_treasury establish temporary year program facilitate federal student loan refinancing private market cost federal government ensure payment lower interest rates student loans private lenders refinancing program shall eligible receive federal government guarantee loans treasury shall consultation department_of_education begin national awareness campaign alert student loan borrowers refinancing program disclosure private loan results refinancing eligible income driven repayment loan bill amends internal_revenue_code allow exclusion gross income payment employer employee lender indebtedness employee qualified education refinance loan interest relating loan term qualified education refinance loan means indebtedness solely refinance qualified education loan respect lender offers borrower protection event unemployment financial hardship


Summary:
Higher Education Innovation Act

This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a voluntary, alternative accreditation system for higher education providers.

The Department of Education (ED) must establish a process for approving innovation authorizers to authorize institutions of higher education or other providers that: promote student success outcomes and cost-effectiveness, agree to outcome-based oversight and reporting requirements, meet performance metrics, and comply with other specified requirements.

To apply to be an authorizer, an entity must agree to publicly disclose certain data and submit to ED details regarding its:

 experience and capabilities, financial ability to meet the requirements, authorization process, educational or subject matter focus, membership and relationship with industries and businesses, and conflict of interest controls. An authorizer must use performance metrics relating to student learning, completion, and benefit to the student and affordability. The minimum threshold for each metric must meet or exceed the 60th-percentile student outcome.

Providers authorized using this process are eligible for Pell Grant and other federal funding, subject to specified funding requirements and allocations. An authorizer must agree to pay ED at least 25% of the annual balance of student loans that are in default and held by current or former students of providers that the authorizer approved.

Providers that meet the requirements of both an innovation authorizer and a recognized accrediting agency may hold both the accreditation and authorization or select which entity to use.

The authority for the alternative authorization system expires five years after enactment of this bill.

higher education innovation act bill amends higher education act establish voluntary alternative accreditation system higher education providers establish process approving innovation authorizers authorize institutions higher education providers promote student success outcomes cost effectiveness agree outcome based oversight reporting requirements meet performance metrics comply specified requirements apply authorizer entity agree publicly disclose certain data submit details experience capabilities financial ability meet requirements authorization process educational subject matter focus membership relationship industries businesses conflict interest controls authorizer use performance metrics relating student learning completion benefit student affordability minimum threshold metric meet exceed percentile student outcome providers authorized process eligible pell_grant federal funding subject specified funding requirements allocations authorizer agree pay annual balance student loans default held current students providers authorizer approved providers meet requirements innovation authorizer recognized accrediting agency hold accreditation authorization select entity use authority alternative authorization system expires years enactment bill


Summary:
Grow Our Own Directive: Physician Assistant Employment and Education Act of 2015

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out the Grow Our Own Directive or G.O.O.D. pilot program to provide educational assistance to certain former members of the Armed Forces for education and training as VA physician assistants.

An individual is eligible to participate in the program if the individual:

 has medical or military health experience gained while serving in the Armed Forces; has received a certificate, associate degree, baccalaureate degree, master's degree, or postbaccalaureate training in a science relating to health care; has participated in the delivery of health care services or related medical services; and does not have a degree of doctor of medicine, doctor of osteopathy, or doctor of dentistry. The VA shall:

 provide educational assistance to program participants for the costs of obtaining a master's degree in physician assistant studies or a similar master's degree, ensure that mentors are available for program participants at each VA facility at which a participant is employed, and seek to partner with specified government programs and with appropriate educational institutions that offer degrees in physician assistant studies. The VA shall:

 establish specified standards to improve the education and and hiring of VA physician assistants, and implement a national plan for the retention and recruitment of VA physician assistants that includes the adoption of competitive pay standards. VA physician assistant pay grades are established.

grow directive physician assistant employment education act bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs carry grow directive pilot program provide educational assistance certain members armed_forces education training physician assistants individual eligible participate program individual medical military health experience gained serving armed_forces received certificate associate degree baccalaureate degree master degree postbaccalaureate training science relating health care participated delivery health care services related medical services degree doctor medicine doctor osteopathy doctor dentistry shall provide educational assistance program participants costs obtaining master degree physician assistant studies similar master degree ensure mentors available program participants facility participant employed seek partner specified government programs appropriate educational institutions offer degrees physician assistant studies shall establish specified standards improve education hiring physician assistants implement national plan retention recruitment physician assistants includes adoption competitive pay standards physician assistant pay grades established


Summary:
Understanding the True Cost of College Act of 2015

This bill amends the Higher Education Opportunity Act and the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education to use a standardized financial aid offer form that meets specified requirements.

The Department of Education (ED) must develop a standard format for financial aid offer forms based on recommendations from representatives of students, students' families, institutions of higher education, secondary school and postsecondary counselors, and nonprofit consumer groups.

The form must include specified details and disclosures regarding:

 the cost of attendance; aid that does not need to be repaid; the net price that a student or family is estimated to pay; work study assistance; types and amounts of loans, including monthly repayment amounts; sources for additional information; deadlines and the process for accepting financial aid; the academic period covered by the aid; default rates; private loans; scholarships; and the terms and conditions of federal financial aid. ED must: (1) test the form with representatives of students, students' families, institutions of higher education, secondary school and postsecondary counselors, and nonprofit consumer groups; and (2) use the results to develop the final form.

Each institution of higher education that receives federal financial assistance under the Higher Education Act of 1965 must use the standard form when offering financial aid to students.

understanding true cost college act bill amends opportunity act higher education act require institutions higher education use standardized financial aid offer form meets specified requirements develop standard format financial aid offer forms based recommendations representatives students students families institutions higher education secondary school postsecondary counselors nonprofit consumer groups form include specified details disclosures cost attendance aid need repaid net price student family estimated pay work study assistance types amounts loans including monthly repayment amounts sources additional information deadlines process accepting financial aid academic period covered aid default rates private loans scholarships terms conditions federal financial aid test form representatives students students families institutions higher education secondary school postsecondary counselors nonprofit consumer groups use results develop final form institution higher education receives federal financial assistance higher education act use standard form offering financial aid students


Summary:
Net Price Calculator Improvement Act

This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish the minimum requirements for the net price calculator that an institution of higher education (IHE) receiving federal funds under title IV (Student Assistance) of the Act must include on its website. (An IHE's net price is the average yearly price actually charged to first-time, full-time undergraduate students receiving student aid at the school after deducting such aid.)

 It authorizes the Department of Education to develop a universal net price calculator that enables users to answer one set of questions and receive net prices for any IHE that is required to have a net price calculator.

net price calculator improvement act bill amends higher education act establish minimum requirements net price calculator institution higher education ihe receiving federal funds title student assistance act include website ihe net price average yearly price actually charged time time undergraduate students receiving student aid school deducting aid authorizes department_of_education develop universal net price calculator enables users answer set questions receive net prices ihe required net price calculator


Summary:
Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Reauthorization Act or the SOAR Reauthorization Act

This bill amends the District of Columbia Code to prohibit the Department of Education from limiting the number of eligible students receiving District of Columbia Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) scholarships, and from preventing otherwise eligible students from participating in the OSP because of:

 whether or not the student attended a private school for pre-elementary education in the previous school year; or whether or not the individual previously received a scholarship or participated in OSP, or was a member of the control group used by the Institute of Education Sciences to carry out previous OSP evaluations. An eligible nonprofit organization's application for an OSP grant must include how it will ensure that it utilizes internal fiscal and quality controls.

Priorities for the award of scholarships to eligible students are modified to give priority to students who, in the preceding school year, attended a school identified as low-achieving according to the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) (currently certain elementary or secondary schools identified for improvements, corrective action, or restructuring).

OSP-participating schools must:

 conduct criminal background checks on school employees who have direct and unsupervised interactions with students, and comply with all requests for data and information regarding certain reporting requirements. Participating private schools must be provisionally or fully accredited or in the process of seeking accreditation.

The Department must make OSP funds available to eligible entities receiving a grant for administrative expenses and parental education and assistance, including streamlining of the application process.

Previously unobligated OSP funds must be used to award new scholarships to students.

The current OSP evaluation procedures under the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act (SOAR) are terminated and replaced with those specified in this Act.

The Department may withhold specified OSP funds provided to the DC Mayor for DC public and charter schools for noncompliance with SOAR requirements.

Funds provided under this Act to support DC public charter schools may be directed to the OSSE, which may transfer them to subgrantees that are:

 specific DC public charter schools in good standing or networks of such schools, or DC-based non-profit organizations with experience in successfully providing support or assistance to such schools or networks. The Department and the Mayor shall revise the memorandum of understanding in effect to address the need to ensure that participating schools meet fire code standards and maintain certificates of occupancy.

The OSP is reauthorized through FY2021.

scholarships bill amends district_of_columbia code prohibit department_of_education limiting number eligible students receiving scholarships preventing eligible students participating student attended private school pre elementary education previous school year individual previously received scholarship participated member control group institute_of_education_sciences carry previous evaluations eligible nonprofit organization application grant include ensure utilizes internal fiscal quality controls priorities award scholarships eligible students modified priority students preceding school year attended school identified low achieving according currently certain elementary secondary schools identified improvements corrective action restructuring participating schools conduct criminal background checks school employees direct unsupervised interactions students comply requests data information certain reporting requirements participating private schools fully accredited process seeking accreditation department funds available eligible entities receiving grant administrative expenses parental education assistance including streamlining application process previously unobligated funds award new scholarships students current evaluation procedures scholarships opportunity results act soar terminated replaced specified act department withhold specified funds provided mayor public charter schools noncompliance soar requirements funds provided act support public charter schools directed transfer subgrantees specific public charter schools good standing networks schools based non profit organizations experience successfully providing support assistance schools networks department mayor shall revise memorandum understanding effect address need ensure participating schools meet fire code standards maintain certificates occupancy reauthorized fy2021


Summary:
Creating Quality Technical Educators Act of 2015

This bill 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, high-need schools or early education programs, and institutions of higher education (IHEs) to train current and prospective teachers and school leaders.

The bill 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. It directs the Department of Education to establish performance measures for the career and technical education teacher preparation programs.

creating quality technical educators act bill 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 high need schools early education programs institutions higher education ihes train current prospective teachers school leaders bill 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 directs department_of_education establish performance measures career technical education teacher preparation programs


Summary:
Affordable College Textbook Act

This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to make competitive grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) to support pilot programs that expand the use of open textbooks in order to achieve savings for students.

It requires the full and complete digital content of the educational resources created or adopted using grant funds to be made available free of charge to the public: (1) on an easily accessible and interoperable website; and (2) in a machine readable, digital format that anyone can directly download, edit with attribution, and redistribute.

ED must give special consideration to grant applicants that demonstrate the greatest potential to:

 achieve the highest level of savings for students; expand the use of open textbooks at other IHEs; and produce open textbooks that are of the highest quality, that can be most easily utilized and adapted by faculty members, that correspond to the highest enrollment courses, and that are created or adopted in partnership with entities that will assist in their marketing and distribution. The bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include any educational material developed to accompany a college textbook as supplemental material that is subject to college textbook information disclosure requirements.

affordable college textbook act bill directs competitive grants institutions higher education ihes support pilot programs expand use open textbooks order achieve savings students requires complete digital content educational resources created adopted grant funds available free charge public easily accessible interoperable website machine readable digital format directly download attribution redistribute special consideration grant applicants demonstrate greatest potential achieve highest level savings students expand use open textbooks ihes produce open textbooks highest quality easily utilized adapted faculty members correspond highest enrollment courses created adopted partnership entities assist marketing distribution bill amends higher education act include educational material developed accompany college textbook supplemental material subject college textbook information disclosure requirements


Summary:
Investing in Student Success Act of 2015

This bill authorizes an individual (i.e., a student) and another person (i.e., an investor) to enter an income-share agreement (ISA) in which the student agrees to pay a percentage of future income, for a specified period of time, in exchange for funds to pay for postsecondary education, workforce development, or other purposes.

An ISA that complies with specified terms and conditions and meets certain disclosure requirements is a valid, binding, and enforceable contract and is not subject to state laws that limit interest rates or regulate assignments of future income.

The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to include an ISA as a qualified education loan (a qualified education loan is not dischargeable in bankruptcy), but it prohibits a tax deduction for interest paid on an ISA (interest paid on a qualified education loan is tax deductible).

Payments to a student under an ISA are not includible as: (1) gross income for tax purposes, or (2) income or assets for federal financial aid eligibility purposes under the Higher Education Act of 1965.

The bill amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to exclude as an investment company any person whose business substantially consists of making ISAs.

investing student success act bill authorizes individual student person investor enter income share agreement isa student agrees pay percentage future income specified period time exchange funds pay postsecondary education workforce development purposes isa complies specified terms conditions meets certain disclosure requirements valid binding enforceable contract subject state laws limit interest rates regulate assignments future income bill amends internal_revenue_code include isa qualified education loan qualified education loan dischargeable bankruptcy prohibits tax deduction interest paid isa interest paid qualified education loan tax deductible payments student isa includible gross income tax purposes income assets federal financial aid eligibility purposes higher education act bill amends investment company act exclude investment company person business substantially consists making


Summary:
Rural Educator Support and Training Act or the REST Act

This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 and the Elementary and Secondary Act of 1965 to: (1) establish several new grant programs for students training to become educators in rural schools, and (2) enhance federal student loan forgiveness for rural educators.

The Department of Education (ED) shall award undergraduate scholarships and graduate fellowships to students who are studying to become educators in rural schools. To be eligible, a recipient must maintain acceptable academic standing and shall agree to fulfill a service obligation of three or more years, depending on the number of years for which funding is provided.

ED may also award grants to eligible educational agencies for the purpose of: (1) reimbursing eligible rural educators for out-of-pocket costs associated with obtaining national board certification, and (2) increasing annual compensation for eligible rural educators who have become certified.

Rural educators shall also be eligible for additional student loan forgiveness. Specifically, a teacher who is employed for five consecutive years in a rural school shall be eligible for up to $17,500 in federal student loan forgiveness. (Under current law, a highly qualified teacher who is employed for five consecutive years in a high-poverty school is eligible for up to $5,000 in federal student loan forgiveness; such a teacher who teaches mathematics, science, or special education is eligible for up to $17,500.)

rural educator support training act rest act bill amends higher education act elementary secondary act establish new grant programs students training educators rural schools enhance federal student loan forgiveness rural educators shall award undergraduate scholarships graduate fellowships students studying educators rural schools eligible recipient maintain acceptable academic standing shall agree fulfill service obligation years depending number years funding provided award grants eligible educational agencies purpose reimbursing eligible rural educators pocket costs associated obtaining national board certification increasing annual compensation eligible rural educators certified rural educators shall eligible additional student loan forgiveness specifically teacher employed consecutive years rural school shall eligible federal student loan forgiveness current law highly qualified teacher employed consecutive years high poverty school eligible federal student loan forgiveness teacher teaches mathematics science special education eligible


Summary:
Promoting Access and Retention Through New Efforts to Require Shared Higher Investments in Postsecondary Success Act or the PARTNERSHIPS Act

This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a state-federal partnership to promote state investment in public higher education. The bill directs the Department of Education to award annual block grants to states that increase public higher education operating support on a per student basis, using a specified formula. As a condition of receiving grants, states must use grant funds to reduce tuition costs and support the enrollment of low-income students in state public educational institutions.

The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) expand and make permanent the American Opportunity Tax Credit; (2) increase the amount of the tax exclusion for employer-provided educational assistance programs and make such exclusion available to the spouses and dependents of employees; (3) allow tax exclusions for the discharge of certain public interest student loans, repayments of student loans by tax-exempt organizations, and student loans subject to an income-based or income contingent repayment plan; (4) allow a full exclusion from gross income of Federal Pell Grants; and (5) repeal the requirement that distributions from a qualified tuition plan (529 plan) be aggregated for purposes of determining the amount includible in taxpayer income.

postsecondary success act partnerships act bill amends higher education act establish state federal partnership promote state investment public higher education bill directs department_of_education award annual block grants states increase public higher education operating support student basis specified formula condition receiving grants states use grant funds reduce tuition costs support enrollment low income students state public educational institutions bill amends internal_revenue_code expand permanent american_opportunity_tax_credit increase tax exclusion employer provided educational assistance programs exclusion available spouses dependents employees allow tax exclusions discharge certain public interest student loans repayments student loans tax exempt organizations student loans subject income based income contingent repayment plan allow exclusion gross income federal pell_grants repeal requirement distributions qualified tuition plan plan aggregated purposes determining includible taxpayer income


Summary:
Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Education Relief and Restoration Act of 2015

This bill declares that, if a veteran is forced to discontinue a course as a result of an educational institution's permanent closure and did not receive credit or lost training time toward completion of the education program, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational assistance payments shall not, for a specified period of time, be:

 charged against the individual's entitlement to educational assistance, or counted against the aggregate period for which such assistance may be provided. The bill applies to school closures beginning with FY2015.

The VA may continue to pay educational assistance and subsistence allowances to eligible veterans and eligible persons enrolled in specified courses for up to 4 weeks in any 12-month period when schools are temporarily closed under an established policy based on an executive order of the President or due to an emergency situation.

The VA may also continue to pay a monthly housing stipend following a permanent school closure, but only until the earlier of: (1) the date of the end of the term, quarter, or semester during which the school closure occurred; and (2) the date that is four months after the school closure.

department_of_veterans_affairs veterans education relief restoration act bill declares veteran forced discontinue course result educational institution permanent closure receive credit lost training time completion education program department_of_veterans_affairs educational assistance payments shall specified period time charged individual entitlement educational assistance counted aggregate period assistance provided bill applies school closures beginning fy2015 continue pay educational assistance subsistence allowances eligible veterans eligible persons enrolled specified courses weeks month period schools temporarily closed established policy based executive order president emergency situation continue pay monthly housing stipend following permanent school closure earlier date end term quarter semester school closure occurred date months school closure


Summary:
Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act

This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise provisions related to financial aid and educational programs for children and youths who are homeless or in foster care.

With respect to a student's independence for purposes of financial aid, a financial aid administrator must: (1) in the absence of conflicting information, accept a homelessness determination made by an authorized individual; and (2) make such a determination if the student cannot get documentation from a designated authority. A student who is determined to be independent on this basis shall generally be presumed to be independent for a subsequent award year at the same institution.

The bill expands the duties of the Student Loan Ombudsman to include the review and resolution of complaints regarding such determinations.

To be eligible for certain federal funds, an institution must meet specified requirements related to student housing, coordination, and notice of financial assistance eligibility with respect to children and youths who are homeless or in foster care.

In approving applications for entities to carry out specified programs related to higher education, the Department of Education shall require an entity to make specified assurances with respect to the participation of children and youths who are homeless or in foster care. A federal work-study agreement must prioritize employment for such students.

For purposes of income-based financial aid determinations, the bill excludes from income: (1) the value of specified vouchers for education and training, and (2) direct payments made through an extended foster care program.

With respect to children or youths who are homeless or in foster care, a state may not charge a tuition rate that is higher than the in-state tuition rate.

success homeless foster youth act bill amends higher education act revise provisions related financial aid educational programs children youths homeless foster care respect student independence purposes financial aid financial aid administrator absence conflicting information accept homelessness determination authorized individual determination student documentation designated authority student determined independent basis shall generally presumed independent subsequent award year institution bill expands duties include review resolution complaints determinations eligible certain federal funds institution meet specified requirements related student housing coordination notice financial assistance eligibility respect children youths homeless foster care approving applications entities carry specified programs related higher education department_of_education shall require entity specified assurances respect participation children youths homeless foster care federal work study agreement prioritize employment students purposes income based financial aid determinations bill excludes income value specified vouchers education training direct payments extended foster care program respect children youths homeless foster care state charge tuition rate higher state tuition rate


Summary:
Protecting Our Students and Taxpayers Act of 2015 or the POST Act of 2015

 This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to modify requirements for a proprietary (i.e., for-profit) institution of higher education (IHE) to participate in title IV (Student Assistance) federal student aid programs.

Current law requires a proprietary IHE to derive at least 10% of its revenue from sources other than title IV federal student aid. This legislation requires a proprietary IHE to derive at least 15% of its revenue from sources other than federal funds (i.e., it replaces the so-called 90/10 rule with an 85/15 rule). It defines federal funds to mean title IV federal student aid, as well as education benefits for military personnel and veterans.

Additionally, the bill limits what a proprietary institution may treat as revenue to the school in calculating whether it derives at least 15% of its revenue from sources other than federal funds.

Finally, the bill moves the 85/15 rule from title IV to title I (General Provisions) of the HEA, making compliance a condition of institutional eligibility to participate in title IV federal student aid programs (i.e., failure to comply results in immediate loss of institutional eligibility). Currently, a proprietary IHE must violate the rule for two consecutive years before losing eligibility for title IV programs.

protecting students taxpayers act post act bill amends higher education act hea modify requirements proprietary profit institution higher education ihe participate title student assistance federal student aid programs current law requires proprietary ihe derive revenue sources title federal student aid legislation requires proprietary ihe derive revenue sources federal funds replaces called rule rule defines federal funds mean title federal student aid education benefits military personnel veterans additionally bill limits proprietary institution treat revenue school calculating derives revenue sources federal funds finally bill moves rule title title general provisions hea making compliance condition institutional eligibility participate title federal student aid programs failure comply results immediate loss institutional eligibility currently proprietary ihe violate rule consecutive years losing eligibility title programs


Summary:
Minority-Serving Institution Fairness Act

This bill amends titles III (Institutional Aid) and V (Developing Institutions) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to permit an eligible minority-serving institution of higher education (IHE) to concurrently receive grant funds under more than one of the following programs: (1) the Strengthening Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions program; (2) the Strengthening Native American-serving, Nontribal Institutions program; (3) the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions program; and (4) the Hispanic-Serving Institutions program.

At least 35% of grant funds awarded under each program must be awarded to IHEs that are not eligible to concurrently receive funds under more than one program.

An eligible minority-serving IHE is a Hispanic-serving institution, Alaska Native-serving or Native Hawaiian-serving institution, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution, or a Native American-serving nontribal institution.

fairness act bill amends titles developing institutions higher education act permit eligible minority serving institution higher education ihe concurrently receive grant funds following programs strengthening alaska native native hawaiian serving institutions program strengthening native american serving nontribal institutions program asian american native american pacific islander serving institutions program program grant funds awarded program awarded ihes eligible concurrently receive funds program eligible minority serving ihe hispanic serving institution alaska_native serving native hawaiian serving institution asian american native american pacific islander serving institution native american serving nontribal institution