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:
Start-up America's Students Act

This bill amends the Small Business Act to direct the Small Business Administration to award competitive grants to institutions of higher education (with program participation agreements) for the purpose of establishing, maintaining, expanding, and improving business incubators operated by or affiliated with them.

 A business incubator is a facility primarily used to provide space where start-up businesses in operation for under 4 years with 10 or fewer employees:

 share space, support staff or services, physical resources, or overhead expenses; and receive technical assistance, financial advice, or business planning services.

start america students act bill amends small_business_act direct small_business_administration award competitive grants institutions higher education program participation agreements purpose establishing maintaining expanding improving business incubators operated affiliated business incubator facility primarily provide space start businesses operation years fewer employees share space support staff services physical resources overhead expenses receive technical assistance financial advice business planning services


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 a a permanent school 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 courses and programs of education discontinued 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 permanent school 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 courses programs education discontinued 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:
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:
Stopping Unfair Collateral Consequences from Ending Student Success Act or the SUCCESS Act

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to modify federal student aid eligibility criteria.

Specifically, the legislation repeals a provision that suspends a student's federal student aid eligibility for a one-year, two-year, or indefinite period following that student's first, second, or third drug offense.

stopping unfair collateral consequences ending student success act success act bill amends title student assistance higher education act modify federal student aid eligibility criteria specifically legislation repeals provision suspends student federal student aid eligibility year year indefinite period following student second drug offense


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:
Ensuring Quality Education for Veterans Act

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require proprietary institutions of higher education to derive not less than 10% of their revenue from sources other than title IV or the educational assistance programs of the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, or become ineligible for title IV funding and participation in those programs. (Currently, this 90/10 rule requires these schools to derive not less than 10% of their revenue from sources other than title IV or become ineligible for title IV funding.)

ensuring quality education veterans act bill amends title student assistance higher education act require proprietary institutions higher education derive revenue sources title educational assistance programs departments_of_defense veterans_affairs ineligible title funding participation programs currently rule requires schools derive revenue sources title ineligible title funding


Summary:
Student Visa Security Improvement Act

This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to:

 require DHS employees to review the applications, conduct in-person interviews where appropriate, and conduct on-site reviews of applications and supporting documentation with respect to student and exchange program visa applicants prior to final visa adjudication, with emphasis on determining whether an applicant is inadmissible for terrorist-related activities; require an institution or exchange visitor program participating in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program to ensure that each covered student or exchange visitor is an active program participant, is observed, and is reported to DHS if he or she transfers institutions or academic majors; provide Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) access to appropriate employees of a SEVIS program sponsor under specified circumstances; and require a SEVIS upgrade to add data fields that include verification that students are meeting minimum academic standards.

student visa security improvement act bill amends homeland security act direct department_of_homeland_security dhs require dhs employees review applications conduct person interviews appropriate conduct site reviews applications supporting documentation respect student exchange program visa applicants prior final visa adjudication emphasis determining applicant inadmissible terrorist related activities require institution exchange visitor program participating student_and_exchange_visitor_program ensure covered student exchange visitor active program participant observed reported dhs transfers institutions academic majors provide student_and_exchange_visitor_information_system sevis access appropriate employees sevis program sponsor specified circumstances require sevis upgrade add data fields include verification students meeting minimum academic standards


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


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:
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:
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:
Veterans Legal Support Act of 2015

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide support, including financial support, to one or more university law school programs to provide veterans with legal assistance.

bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs provide support including financial support university law school programs provide veterans legal assistance


Summary:
Restoring Investment in ATB Student Education Act or the RISE Act

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to modify the federal student aid eligibility requirements for students who are not high school graduates.

Currently, a student without a high school diploma or homeschool credential is eligible to receive federal student aid if such student is enrolled in a career pathway program and demonstrates an ability to benefit from an institution's education or training program.

This bill eliminates enrollment in a career pathway program as a federal student aid eligibility requirement. A student without a high school diploma or homeschool credential is eligible to receive federal student aid by demonstrating an ability to benefit from an institution's education or training program.

student education act rise act bill amends title student assistance higher education act modify federal student aid eligibility requirements students high school graduates currently student high school diploma credential eligible receive federal student aid student enrolled career pathway program demonstrates ability benefit institution education training program bill eliminates enrollment career pathway program federal student aid eligibility requirement student high school diploma credential eligible receive federal student aid demonstrating ability benefit institution education training program


Summary:
SMART Grant Reauthorization Act of 2015

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to eliminate the program awarding Academic Competitiveness Grants to first- and second-year undergraduates who completed a rigorous high school curriculum and are eligible for Federal Pell Grants.

It reauthorizes and appropriates funds through FY2022 for National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grants (SMART Grants) currently awarded to third, fourth, and fifth-year undergraduates who are eligible for Pell Grants and are pursuing:

 a major in the physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering or a critical foreign language; or equivalent coursework in a qualifying liberal arts program that does not allow students to declare a major in a particular subject matter. The bill limits SMART Grant eligibility to students who are pursuing a major in the physical sciences or are pursuing equivalent coursework in a qualifying liberal arts program that does not allow students to declare a major in a particular subject matter.

It terminates the Department of Education's authority to award SMART Grants at the end of award year 2020-2021.

smart grant reauthorization act bill amends title student assistance higher education act eliminate program awarding first- second year undergraduates completed rigorous high school curriculum eligible federal pell_grants reauthorizes appropriates funds smart grants currently awarded fourth fifth year undergraduates eligible pell_grants pursuing major physical life computer sciences mathematics technology engineering critical foreign language equivalent coursework qualifying liberal arts program allow students declare major particular subject matter bill limits smart grant eligibility students pursuing major physical sciences pursuing equivalent coursework qualifying liberal arts program allow students declare major particular subject matter terminates department_of_education authority award smart grants end award year


Summary:
Higher Education Savings Accounts Act of 2015

This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to carry out a pilot program under which tax-exempt savings accounts (to be known as higher education pledge accounts) are established for the benefit of 9th and 10th grade students who are eligible to receive free or reduced price lunches under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act.

ED: (1) shall deposit into each account for a selected student an initial amount equal to the amount of the maximum federal Pell Grant for the award year, and (2) may make additional deposits of such amount based on the student's academic progress.

A student may use funds from such account only to pay the cost of attendance at a qualified institution. Any contribution to or distribution from such account shall not be includible in gross income. The amount of any Pell Grant awarded to a student attending a qualified institution shall be reduced by the amount in such student's account.

ED shall: (1) monitor the academic progress of each student for whose benefit an account is maintained; and (2) ensure that each such student receives at least 12 hours of financial counseling on the rules pertaining to deposits, distributions, and the tax treatment of funds in the account and on sources of federal financial assistance for higher education.

bill requires carry pilot program tax exempt savings accounts known higher education pledge accounts established benefit 9th 10th grade students eligible receive free reduced price lunches national school lunch act shall deposit account selected student initial equal maximum federal pell_grant award year additional deposits based student academic progress student use funds account pay cost attendance qualified institution contribution distribution account shall includible gross income pell_grant awarded student attending qualified institution shall reduced student account shall monitor academic progress student benefit account maintained ensure student receives hours financial counseling rules pertaining deposits distributions tax treatment funds account sources federal financial assistance higher education


Summary:
Protecting Our Students by Terminating Graduate Rates that Add to Debt Act or the POST GRAD Act

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make graduate and professional students eligible to receive subsidized Stafford Loans under the Federal Direct Loan Program beginning on July 1, 2016. (Graduate and professional students have been ineligible to receive subsidized Stafford Loans since July 1, 2012.)

protecting students terminating graduate rates add debt act post grad act bill amends title student assistance higher education act graduate professional students eligible receive subsidized stafford_loans beginning july graduate professional students ineligible receive subsidized stafford_loans july


Summary:
Simple Income-Based Repayment Act

This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to replace several existing federal student loan programs for graduated, extended, income-contingent, and income-based repayment with a single repayment plan that caps annual debt repayments based on the borrower's income. Under the new program, loan payments are made automatically through voluntary wage withholding based on quarterly estimated payments.

The new income-based repayment program shall be available to both new and existing borrowers, excluding borrowers of specified federal loans made on behalf of a dependent student. Existing repayment plans other than standard repayment shall generally be unavailable to new borrowers, although the Department of Education (ED) may make graduated and extended plans available to new borrowers who demonstrate exceptional circumstances.

Under the program, an individual's income-based repayment obligation shall be limited to 10% of the excess of the individual's taxable income over a specified amount. In the case of a joint return of two married individuals who each have an eligible loan, the income-based repayment amount with respect to each spouse shall generally be determined by apportioning half of the total income to each spouse.

ED must provide an online tool to enable borrowers to make direct payments and access information regarding their loans.

In the event of underpayment, a borrower who does not request and receive a reduction must pay to ED an amount equal to the difference between the annual repayment amount and the sum of payments made for that taxable year. In the event of overpayment, ED shall either refund the overpayment amount to the borrower or apply the amount as prepayment to the borrower's loans.

Loan forgiveness is available after 240 qualifying payments are made under the program.

simple income based repayment act bill amends higher education act replace existing federal student loan programs graduated extended income contingent income based repayment single repayment plan caps annual debt repayments based borrower income new program loan payments automatically voluntary wage withholding based quarterly estimated payments new income based repayment program shall available new existing borrowers excluding borrowers specified federal loans behalf dependent student existing repayment plans standard repayment shall generally unavailable new borrowers graduated extended plans available new borrowers demonstrate exceptional circumstances program individual income based repayment obligation shall limited excess individual taxable income specified case joint return married individuals eligible loan income based repayment respect spouse shall generally determined apportioning half total income spouse provide online tool enable borrowers direct payments access information loans event underpayment borrower request receive reduction pay equal difference annual repayment sum payments taxable year event overpayment shall refund overpayment borrower apply prepayment borrower loans loan forgiveness available qualifying payments program


Summary:
Technical Education and Career Help (TEACH) Act

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.

technical education career help teach 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:
Student Tax Affordability and Relief Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from an employee's gross income, for income tax purposes, qualified student loan payment assistance provided by an employer. This assistance includes the payment of principal or interest, up to $10,000 in a taxable year, on student loan indebtedness incurred by an employee for higher education expenses.

relief act bill amends internal_revenue_code exclude employee gross income income tax purposes qualified student loan payment assistance provided employer assistance includes payment principal interest taxable year student loan indebtedness incurred employee higher education expenses


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, 2016; allow student loan borrowers to modify interest rates on outstanding federal student loans to current rates; reauthorize the Federal Work Study program for FY2017-FY2021; 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.

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 fy2017-fy2021 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


Summary:
Pathways to an Affordable Education 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. Among other things, it:

 increases the maximum Pell Grant award for academic year 2017-2018 and adjusts it in subsequent award years to account for inflation, converts the Pell Grant program into a mandatory spending program, increases from 12 to 15 semesters a student's lifetime Pell Grant eligibility period, and restores year-round grants. Additionally, the bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to include, as a qualified scholarship excludible from gross income, any amount received as a Pell Grant.

pathways affordable education act bill amends title student assistance higher education act modify provisions related federal pell grant program things increases maximum pell_grant award academic year adjusts subsequent award years account inflation converts pell_grant program mandatory spending program increases semesters student lifetime pell_grant eligibility period restores year round grants additionally bill amends internal_revenue_code include qualified scholarship excludible gross income received pell grant


Summary:
Opportunities in Cooperative Education And New Research Partnerships Act or the OCEAN Research Partnerships Act

This bill amends the National Sea Grant College Program Act to revise and reauthorize through FY2021 the National Sea Grant College Program.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) must award Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowships. Currently, NOAA has discretion in awarding such fellowships. These fellowships support the placement of graduate students in fields related to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources in positions with the executive and legislative branches.

In placing marine policy fellows in the legislative branch, NOAA must give priority to positions in: (1) offices or committees of Congress that have jurisdiction over NOAA; and (2) offices of Members of Congress that have a demonstrated interest in ocean, coastal, or Great Lakes resources.

The bill authorizes through FY2021 grants for university research on: (1) the biology, prevention, and control of aquatic nonnative species; (2) oyster diseases, oyster restoration, and oyster-related human health risks; (3) the biology, prevention, and forecasting of harmful algal blooms; and (4) sustainable aquaculture techniques and technologies. The bill also authorizes through FY2021 grants for: (1) fishery extension activities conducted by sea grant colleges or sea grant institutes to enhance existing core program funding, and (2) priority issues identified in the National Sea Grant Program's strategic plan.

opportunities cooperative education bill amends revise reauthorize fy2021 national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa award marine currently noaa discretion awarding fellowships fellowships support placement graduate students fields related ocean coastal great_lakes resources positions executive legislative branches placing marine policy fellows legislative branch noaa priority positions offices committees congress jurisdiction noaa offices members congress demonstrated interest ocean coastal great_lakes resources bill authorizes fy2021 grants university research biology prevention control aquatic nonnative species oyster diseases oyster restoration oyster related human health risks biology prevention forecasting harmful algal blooms sustainable aquaculture techniques technologies bill authorizes fy2021 grants fishery extension activities conducted sea grant colleges sea grant institutes enhance existing core program funding priority issues identified strategic plan


Summary:
Kerry Rose Fire Sprinkler Notification Act

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to modify fire safety reporting requirements for an institution of higher education (IHE) that participates in federal student aid programs.

Specifically, it requires an IHE that maintains on-campus student housing facilities to notify students about whether a housing facility is equipped with a fire safety system, including an automatic fire sprinkler system in each bedroom.

Additionally, the bill expands the information an IHE must submit in its annual fire safety report to include, with respect to student housing facilities, the number and percentage of beds protected and not protected by an automatic fire sprinkler system in the bedroom.

Finally, the Department of Education must publish the number and percentage, in the aggregate and by state, of:

 student housing facilities with less than 100% of beds protected by an automatic sprinkler system, student housing facilities with less than 50% of beds protected, beds at student housing facilities that are protected, and beds at student housing facilities that are not protected.

bill amends title student assistance higher education act modify fire safety reporting requirements institution higher education ihe participates federal student aid programs specifically requires ihe maintains campus student housing facilities notify students housing facility equipped fire safety system including automatic fire sprinkler system additionally bill expands information ihe submit annual fire safety report include respect student housing facilities number percentage beds protected protected automatic fire sprinkler system finally department_of_education publish number percentage aggregate state student housing facilities beds protected automatic sprinkler system student housing facilities beds protected beds student housing facilities protected beds student housing facilities protected


Summary:
Early Pell Promise Act

This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Department of Education to carry out a program of grants to state educational agencies under which a student who is in eighth grade and is eligible for a free or reduced price lunch under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act may be provided a commitment to receive a Federal Pell Grant early in the student's academic career.

Pursuant to such a commitment, the student shall receive a Pell Grant during the first two years of attendance at an institution of higher education (IHE) as an undergraduate if the student:

 files the FAFSA form during the senior year of secondary school and the succeeding year, and enrolls at the IHE not later than three years after receiving a secondary school diploma or after release from the Armed Forces. A student may not receive the early Pell Grant for a succeeding year if the expected family contribution for either year is more than twice the threshold amount for Pell Grant eligibility for that year.

early pell promise act bill amends higher education act authorize department_of_education carry program grants state educational agencies student eighth grade eligible free reduced price lunch national school lunch act provided commitment receive federal pell grant early student academic career pursuant commitment student shall receive pell grant years attendance institution higher education ihe undergraduate student files fafsa form senior year secondary school succeeding year enrolls ihe later years receiving secondary school diploma release armed_forces student receive early pell grant succeeding year expected family contribution year twice threshold pell_grant eligibility year


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:
Chris Kotch VA Education Access Act

 This bill makes eligible under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program an individual who is: (1) discharged or released from the Armed Forces (under current law, from active duty in the Armed Forces) due to a service-connected disability; or (2) transferred to the temporary disability retirement list.

education access act bill makes eligible individual discharged released armed_forces current law active duty armed_forces service connected disability transferred temporary disability retirement list


Summary:
Truth in Tuition Act of 2016

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to modify eligibility requirements for an institution of higher education (IHE) to participate in federal student aid programs.

Specifically, the bill requires an IHE to provide to an admitted graduate or undergraduate student: (1) a multi-year tuition and fee schedule; or (2) a single-year tuition and fee schedule, and a nonbinding, multi-year estimate of net costs after financial aid is awarded.

An IHE that provides a single-year tuition and fee schedule must include, in its multi-year estimate of net costs, the average difference between previous year estimates and actual net costs.

truth tuition act bill amends title student assistance higher education act modify eligibility requirements institution higher education ihe participate federal student aid programs specifically bill requires ihe provide admitted graduate undergraduate student multi year tuition fee schedule single year tuition fee schedule nonbinding multi year estimate net costs financial aid awarded ihe provides single year tuition fee schedule include multi year estimate net costs average difference previous year estimates actual net costs


Summary:
Education for Jobs Act

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make an individual eligible to apply for a loan under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program if that individual: (1) is carrying at least three credit hours or the equivalent coursework for the course of study the individual is pursuing, (2) is enrolled in an educational program leading to a degree or certificate, and (3) was employed on a full-time basis for at least 10 years.

It makes those students eligible for interest subsidies. It requires the repayment period for such a loan to begin the day after six months after the student ceases to meet the loan eligibility requirements.

education jobs_act bill amends title student assistance higher education act individual eligible apply loan federal_direct_loan program individual carrying credit hours equivalent coursework course study individual pursuing enrolled educational program leading degree certificate employed time basis years makes students eligible interest subsidies requires repayment period loan begin day months student ceases meet loan eligibility requirements


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 each 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 requires the link for the calculator to be clearly labeled and conspicuously posted on an IHE's website.

It requires each calculator's results page to include:

 the net price of attending the IHE; the cost of attending the IHE; the estimated total need- and merit-based grant aid, from federal, state, and institutional sources, that may be available to first-time, full-time undergraduate students enrolled at the IHE; the percentage of such students enrolled at the school who receive any of that grant aid; and a notice that an estimate of an individual's net price is non-binding and subject to change. It requires calculators that estimate a user's eligibility for veterans' education benefits or educational benefits for active duty service members to clearly distinguish those benefits from other grant-aid. Requires calculators that do not make such estimates to provide users with notice of, and a link to information concerning, those benefits.

The bill directs IHEs to populate their calculators with data from not later than two academic years prior to the most recent academic year.

Calculators must: (1) clearly indicate which questions need to be completed for a net price estimate, (2) clearly mark requests for contact information as optional, and (3) prohibit personally identifiable information from being sold or made available to third parties.

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 requires link calculator clearly labeled conspicuously posted ihe website requires calculator results page include net price attending ihe cost attending ihe estimated total merit based grant aid federal state institutional sources available time time undergraduate students enrolled ihe percentage students enrolled school receive grant aid notice estimate individual net price non binding subject change requires calculators estimate user eligibility veterans education benefits educational benefits active duty service members clearly distinguish benefits grant aid requires calculators estimates provide users notice link information concerning benefits bill directs ihes populate calculators data later academic years prior recent academic year calculators clearly indicate questions need completed net price estimate clearly mark requests contact information optional prohibit personally identifiable information sold available parties authorizes department_of_education develop universal net price calculator enables users answer set questions receive net prices ihe required net price calculator


Summary:
Save Teachers of Adults from Paying out of Their Livelihood for Education Resources Act of 2016 or the STAPLER Act of 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to include individuals who provide adult education for at least 250 hours in a taxable year in the definition of  "eligible educator" for purposes of the $250 tax deduction allowed to such educators for their education-related costs.

livelihood education resources act act bill amends internal_revenue_code include individuals provide adult education hours taxable year definition eligible educator purposes tax deduction allowed educators education related costs


Summary:
Making College Affordable and Accessible Act of 2016

This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to: (1) extend the authorization of appropriations for the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education through FY2022, and (2) authorize the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to institutions of higher education to carry out credit-based academic transition programs established through partnerships between high schools and such institutions that utilize dual or concurrent enrollment programs or early college high school programs that enable students to earn college credits while in high school.

ED shall give priority in awarding grants to institutions that serve students from low-income families, students from rural communities, or students who are the first in their family to receive postsecondary education.

Institutions shall use grant funds to:

 provide teachers, principals, and other school leaders with professional development activities that enhance or enable the provision of the appropriate coursework through such programs; and support activities including curriculum design, establishment of a course articulation process, outreach programs to provide elementary school and secondary school students information about and academic preparation for the transition programs, helping students meet eligibility criteria for the postsecondary courses, and coordinating secondary and postsecondary support services and academic calendars. Institutions may use grant funds for costs associated with carrying out such transition programs, including the costs of: (1) tuition and fees, books, and required instructional materials; and (2) transportation to and from such programs.

making college affordable accessible act bill amends higher education act extend authorization appropriations fund_for_the_improvement_of_postsecondary_education fy2022 authorize award grants institutions higher education carry credit based academic transition programs established partnerships high schools institutions utilize dual concurrent enrollment programs early college high school programs enable students earn college credits high school shall priority awarding grants institutions serve students low income families students rural communities students family receive postsecondary education institutions shall use grant funds provide teachers principals school leaders professional development activities enhance enable provision appropriate coursework programs support activities including curriculum design establishment course articulation process outreach programs provide elementary school secondary school students information academic preparation transition programs helping students meet eligibility criteria postsecondary courses coordinating secondary postsecondary support services academic institutions use grant funds costs associated carrying transition programs including costs tuition fees books required instructional materials transportation programs


Summary:
Clarity in Lending for Education and Repayment Act or the CLEAR Act

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise federal student loan repayment plan options for new borrowers of Direct Loan (DL) program loans issued on or after July 1, 2016.

Specifically, the bill terminates several existing repayment plan options, including the graduated, extended, income-contingent, and income-based repayment plans. It retains the existing standard repayment plan and establishes a new revised pay-as-you-earn repayment plan that, among other things, caps monthly payments at 10% of discretionary income and sets a 20-year maximum repayment period.

A new borrower of a DL program subsidized Stafford, unsubsidized Stafford, PLUS, or consolidation loan issued on or after July 1, 2016, must enroll in the standard or revised pay-as you earn repayment plan.

The Department of Education must consult with students, family members, institutions of higher education, and other experts to improve the required disclosures with respect to federal Direct Loans.

Finally, the bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from an individual's gross income the amount of federal student loans discharged due to the death or disability of the student.

clarity lending education clear act bill amends title student assistance higher education act revise federal student loan repayment plan options new borrowers program loans issued july specifically bill terminates existing repayment plan options including graduated extended income contingent income based repayment plans retains existing standard repayment plan establishes new revised pay earn repayment plan things caps monthly payments discretionary income sets year maximum repayment period new borrower program subsidized stafford unsubsidized consolidation loan issued july enroll standard revised pay earn repayment plan department_of_education consult students family members institutions higher education experts improve required disclosures respect federal direct_loans finally bill amends internal_revenue_code exclude individual gross income federal student loans discharged death disability student


Summary:
Parent PLUS Loan Improvement Act of 2016

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to modify the applicable terms and conditions with respect to Federal Direct PLUS Loans to parent borrowers (i.e., parent PLUS loans).

Specifically, it reduces the interest rate and eliminates the origination fee for a parent PLUS loan disbursed on or after July 1, 2016.

 The Department of Education must ensure, prior to disbursement, that a parent PLUS loan borrower receives counseling that includes comprehensive information on the terms, conditions, and responsibilities with respect to the loan.

The bill makes a parent PLUS loan eligible for the income-contingent and income-based repayment plans. Additionally, it makes a consolidation loan that repays parent PLUS loan eligible for the income-based repayment plan.

bill amends title student assistance higher education act modify applicable terms conditions respect federal_direct_plus_loans parent borrowers parent plus loans specifically reduces interest rate eliminates origination fee parent plus loan disbursed july department_of_education ensure prior disbursement parent plus loan borrower receives counseling includes comprehensive information terms conditions responsibilities respect loan bill makes parent plus loan eligible income contingent income based repayment plans additionally makes consolidation loan repays parent plus loan eligible income based repayment plan


Summary:
Child Care Access Means Parents in School Reauthorization Act or the CCAMPIS Reauthorization Act

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise and permanently reauthorize the Child Care Access Means Parents in School grant program.

The Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education must report to Congress on plans to better serve postsecondary students with dependents.

child care access means parents school reauthorization act reauthorization act bill amends title student assistance higher education act revise permanently reauthorize child care access means parents school grant program report congress plans better serve postsecondary students dependents


Summary:
Pell for Performance Act

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to modify the Federal Pell Grant program.

Specifically, if a Pell Grant recipient fails to complete an education program within the maximum timeframe for completion, then the Pell Grants received for such program convert to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan and are subject to repayment, in accordance with applicable terms and conditions.

pell performance act bill amends title student assistance higher education act modify federal pell grant program specifically pell grant recipient fails complete education program maximum timeframe completion pell_grants received program convert federal direct unsubsidized stafford loan subject repayment accordance applicable terms conditions


Summary:
HBCU Innovation Fund Act

This bill amends title VII (Graduate and Postsecondary Improvement Programs) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a competitive grant program for historically black colleges and universities to plan, develop, and implement innovations that enable disadvantaged students to enroll in, persist through, and graduate from college.

bill amends title vii graduate postsecondary improvement programs higher education act establish competitive grant program historically black colleges universities plan develop implement innovations enable disadvantaged students enroll persist graduate college


Summary:
Save for Success Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) modify the American Opportunity Tax Credit to include an increased credit amount for college savings contributions, and (2) direct the Departments of the Treasury and Education to jointly establish a pilot program to make periodic payments of educational expenses for a student as such expenses are incurred during the taxable year.

Treasury shall establish a taxpayer awareness program to inform the public of the availability of the American Opportunity Tax Credit.

save success act bill amends internal_revenue_code modify american_opportunity_tax_credit include increased credit college savings contributions direct departments treasury education jointly establish pilot program periodic payments educational expenses student expenses incurred taxable year treasury shall establish taxpayer awareness program inform public availability american_opportunity_tax_credit


Summary:
Tuition Use Information Transparently Identified Online Act or the TUITION Act

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand disclosure requirements for an institution of higher education (IHE) that participates in federal student aid programs.

Specifically, it requires an IHE to publish annually on its website for students and parents: (1) the total revenue it generated from tuition and fees, disaggregated by the proportion of such revenue it applied to any type of institutional expense (e.g., faculty salaries); and (2) a description of each such expense.

This requirement takes effect in academic year 2016-2017.

tuition use information identified online act tuition act bill amends title student assistance higher education act expand disclosure requirements institution higher education ihe participates federal student aid programs specifically requires ihe publish annually website students parents total revenue generated tuition fees disaggregated proportion revenue applied type institutional expense faculty salaries description expense requirement takes effect academic year


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on April 25, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

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

(Sec. 2) This bill repeals the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program School Certification Requirements Act, as contained in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016.

(Sec. 3) The Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act (SOAR) is amended to limit its focus to students in the lowest-performing Washington, DC, elementary and secondary schools.

(Sec. 4) The Department of Education (ED) shall not limit the number of eligible students receiving Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) scholarships, or prevent otherwise eligible students from participating in the OSP because of:

 the type of school the student previously attended; whether or not the individual previously received the scholarship or participated in OSP, including one previously awarded a scholarship who did not use it; or was a member of the control group used by the Institute of Education Sciences to carry out previous OSP evaluations. (Sec. 5) An eligible nonprofit organization's application for an OSP grant must include how it will ensure:

 the financial viability of a participating school in which 85% or more of enrolled students receive and use an opportunity scholarship, utilization of internal fiscal and quality controls and compliance with financial reporting requirements. (Sec. 6) Priorities for the award of scholarships are modified to give priority to:

 students who in the preceding school year attended a low-achieving elementary or secondary school, and certain students regardless of whether they have attended a private school. (Sec. 7) OSP-participating schools must:

 ensure that participating students are taught core subject matter by a teacher with a baccalaureate or equivalent degree, 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.

ED must make OSP funds available to eligible entities receiving a grant for administrative expenses and parental education and assistance.

Previously unobligated OSP funds must be used for additional scholarships (95%) and administrative expenses (5%).

(Sec. 8) The bill revises current OSP evaluation procedures.

ED shall ensure that evaluation of the OSP is conducted using an acceptable quasi-experimental research design for determining the effectiveness of the opportunity scholarship program under this division that does not use a control study group consisting of students who applied for but did not receive opportunity scholarships.

The bill revises the duties of the ED Institute of Educational Sciences (IES) to repeal the requirement for a grade appropriate, nationally norm-referenced standardized test each school year to assess participating eligible students. IES shall instead assess participating eligible students who use an opportunity scholarship in each of grades 3 through 8, as well as one of the high school level grades, by supervising the administration of a specified reading and mathematics assessment used by the DC public schools.

The issues to be assessed shall exclude OSP success in increasing parental involvement of such parents in the education of their children, but include:

 a comparison of the academic achievement of participating eligible students who use an opportunity scholarship to the academic achievement of a comparison group of students with similar backgrounds in the DC public schools (instead of the academic growth and achievement of the eligible students in the same grades who sought to participate in the OSP but were not selected); a comparison of the college enrollment rates, college persistence rates, and college graduation rates of students who participated in the program in specified years as the result of winning the OSP lottery with the enrollment, persistence, and graduation rates for students who entered but did not win the lottery in those years and who, as a result, served as the control group for previous evaluations of the program; as well as an assessment of student academic achievement at participating schools in which 85% of the total number of students enrolled at the school are participating eligible students who receive and use an opportunity scholarship. The prohibition against any disclosure of personally identifiable information shall be replaced with specified requirements for such a disclosure.

(Sec. 9) The specified authorized OSP funds that ED may withhold for noncompliance with SOAR requirements shall be differentiated based on whether the noncompliance relates to the DC public schools, to the DC public charter schools, or to both.

Funds provided under this Act to support DC public charter schools may be directed to the Office of the State Superintendent of Education for transfer to subgrantee public charter schools or networks of such schools, or DC-based non-profit organizations with successful experience with them.

(Sec. 10) ED and the Mayor shall revise a specified memorandum of understanding to ensure that participating schools meet fire code standards and maintain certificates of occupancy.

(Sec. 12) The bill reauthorizes the OSP through FY2021.

measure amended reported house april summary version repeated scholarships sec bill repeals contained consolidated_appropriations_act sec scholarships opportunity results act soar amended limit focus students lowest performing washington elementary secondary schools sec shall limit number eligible students receiving scholarships prevent eligible students participating type school student previously attended individual previously received scholarship participated including previously awarded scholarship use member control group institute_of_education_sciences carry previous evaluations sec eligible nonprofit organization application grant include ensure financial viability participating school enrolled students receive use opportunity scholarship utilization internal fiscal quality controls compliance financial reporting requirements sec priorities award scholarships modified priority students preceding school year attended low achieving elementary secondary school certain students regardless attended private school sec participating schools ensure participating students taught core subject matter teacher baccalaureate equivalent degree 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 funds available eligible entities receiving grant administrative expenses parental education assistance previously unobligated funds additional scholarships administrative expenses sec bill revises current evaluation procedures shall ensure evaluation conducted acceptable quasi experimental research design determining effectiveness opportunity scholarship program division use control study group consisting students applied receive opportunity scholarships bill revises duties ies repeal requirement grade appropriate nationally norm referenced standardized test school year assess participating eligible students ies shall instead assess participating eligible students use opportunity scholarship grades high school level grades supervising administration specified reading mathematics assessment public schools issues assessed shall exclude success increasing parental involvement parents education children include comparison academic achievement participating eligible students use opportunity scholarship academic achievement comparison group students similar backgrounds public schools instead academic growth achievement eligible students grades sought participate selected comparison college enrollment rates college persistence rates college graduation rates students participated program specified years result winning lottery enrollment persistence graduation rates students entered win lottery years result served control group previous evaluations program assessment student academic achievement participating schools total number students enrolled school participating eligible students receive use opportunity scholarship prohibition disclosure personally identifiable information shall replaced specified requirements disclosure sec specified authorized funds withhold noncompliance soar requirements shall differentiated based noncompliance relates public schools public charter schools funds provided act support public charter schools directed transfer subgrantee public charter schools networks schools based non profit organizations successful experience sec mayor shall revise specified memorandum understanding ensure participating schools meet fire code standards maintain certificates occupancy sec bill reauthorizes fy2021


Summary:
Teacher Debt Relief Act

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow an eligible teacher to use the same teaching service to qualify for both the teacher and public service loan forgiveness programs.

teacher debt relief act bill amends title student assistance higher education act allow eligible teacher use teaching service qualify teacher public service loan forgiveness programs


Summary: This bill provides that the monthly stipend under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance program for a member of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who is pursuing a program of education using assistance under such program and performing certain active duty service shall be payable on a pro rata basis for the period of such month in which the individual is not performing active duty service.

bill provides monthly stipend program member reserve components armed_forces pursuing program education assistance program performing certain active duty service shall payable pro rata basis period month individual performing active duty service


Summary:
Financial Literacy for Financial Aid Act

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Department of Education to maintain a consumer-tested online counseling tool that provides required entrance counseling to a student who is a first-time federal student loan borrower.

bill amends title student assistance higher education act direct department_of_education maintain consumer tested online counseling tool provides required entrance counseling student time federal student loan borrower


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

Protecting Veterans' Educational Choice Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill requires Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) counselors who provide specified educational or vocational counseling services to provide a requesting veteran or member of the Armed Forces with information about the articulation agreements (agreements governing the transferability of credits toward meeting specific degree or program requirements) of each institution of higher learning in which the individual is interested.

The VA shall: (1) provide a veteran who is certified as eligible for VA educational assistance with information on education counseling services and articulation agreements, and (2) implement this bill within 90 days after its enactment.

measure amended introduced expanded summary house reported version repeated sec bill requires department_of_veterans_affairs counselors provide specified educational vocational counseling services provide requesting veteran member armed_forces information articulation agreements agreements governing transferability credits meeting specific degree program requirements institution higher learning individual interested shall provide veteran certified eligible educational assistance information education counseling services articulation agreements implement bill days enactment


Summary:
Safe Prescribing for Veterans Act

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to require a VA employee (including a temporary full-time, part-time, or without-compensation employee) who is authorized to prescribe any controlled substance to complete at least one accredited continuing education course on pain management every two years.

Such requirement shall:

 apply to an employee who is employed by the VA for at least 180 days during any 24-month period; and not apply to an employee licensed or certified by a state licensure or specialty board that requires the completion of pain management or substance use disorder management continuing education. Continuing education courses shall include information on safe prescribing practices, controlled substance disposal, pain management principles, and identification of potential substance use disorders and addiction treatment.

safe prescribing veterans act bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs require employee including temporary time time compensation employee authorized prescribe controlled substance complete accredited continuing education course pain management years requirement shall apply employee employed days month period apply employee licensed certified state licensure specialty board requires completion pain management substance use disorder management continuing education continuing education courses shall include information safe prescribing practices controlled substance disposal pain management principles identification potential substance use disorders addiction treatment


Summary:
In the Red Act of 2016

This bill authorizes and appropriates specified funds to the Department of Education (ED) for FY2016-FY2025 and each succeeding year for grants: (1) to waive tuition and fees for eligible students at community colleges, and (2) to waive or reduce tuition and fees for low-income students at four-year historically black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions.

It amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct ED to establish a program to refinance outstanding federal student loans for borrowers of Direct Loan program loans disbursed before July 1, 2016, and Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program loans. (FFELs were not disbursed after June 30, 2010.)

The bill modifies, for academic year 2018-2019 and succeeding years, the calculation of the mandatory add-on amount used to determine the total maximum Federal Pell Grant award.

It also amends various provisions of the Internal Revenue Code to, among other things: (1) expand the expenses eligible for the American Opportunity Tax Credit to include the amount of a Federal Pell Grant used to pay for living expenses; and (2) include, as a qualified scholarship excludible from gross income, any amount received as a Federal Pell Grant.

Finally, the bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal royalty relief for: (1) deep gas wells in shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and (2) deep water oil and gas leases in the central and western Gulf of Mexico.

bill authorizes appropriates specified funds fy2016 fy2025 succeeding year grants waive tuition fees eligible students community colleges waive reduce tuition fees low income students year historically black colleges universities minority serving institutions amends title student assistance higher education act direct establish program refinance outstanding federal student loans borrowers direct_loan program loans disbursed july federal_family_education_loan ffel program loans ffels disbursed june bill modifies academic year succeeding years calculation mandatory add determine total maximum federal pell grant award amends provisions internal_revenue_code things expand expenses eligible american_opportunity_tax_credit include federal pell grant pay living expenses include qualified scholarship excludible gross income received federal pell grant finally bill amends energy policy act repeal royalty relief deep gas wells shallow waters gulf_of_mexico deep water oil gas leases central western gulf_of_mexico


Summary:
Veterans Education Enhancement Act of 2016

This bill revises the fee that is deducted from a veteran's education entitlement under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post-9/11 educational assistance program from a monthly to a prorated fee for: (1) certain license and certification tests, and (2) national tests.

The Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education is extended through December 31, 2021.

The VA shall, in consultation with state approving agencies, prescribe training requirements for a school certifying official (SCO) employed by a covered educational institution offering approved veterans education courses. The VA may disapprove any course of education offered by a covered educational institution that does not ensure that an SCO meets such requirements. (A covered educational institution is an institution that has enrolled 20 or more individuals using veterans educational assistance.)

The bill extends the applicability of provisions requiring rounding down, and delays the applicability of provisions requiring rounding up, of veterans educational assistance increases for: (1) the All-Volunteer Force, and (2) survivors and dependents.

The VA shall reduce the monthly housing stipend on a pro rata basis for a student who reduces his or her course load, effective for a month that begins on or after August 1, 2017.

A reporting fee paid by the VA to an educational institution or joint apprenticeship training committee with respect to an institution that has 75 or more enrollees may not be used for or merged with amounts available for the general fund of the educational institution or joint apprenticeship training committee.

enhancement act bill revises fee deducted veteran education entitlement department_of_veterans_affairs educational assistance program monthly prorated fee certain license certification tests national tests veterans advisory_committee_on_education extended december shall consultation state approving agencies prescribe training requirements school certifying official employed covered educational institution offering approved veterans education courses disapprove course education offered covered educational institution ensure meets requirements covered educational institution institution enrolled individuals veterans educational assistance bill extends applicability provisions requiring delays applicability provisions requiring veterans educational assistance increases volunteer force survivors dependents shall reduce monthly housing stipend pro rata basis student reduces course load effective month begins august reporting fee paid educational institution joint apprenticeship training committee respect institution enrollees merged amounts available general fund educational institution joint apprenticeship training committee


Summary:
GI Bill Oversight Act of 2016

This bill directs the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to apply heightened scrutiny to any program of education if any federal or state agency has made a final determination or settlement that the program used advertising, sales, or enrollment practices that are erroneous, deceptive, or misleading.

The VA shall provide notice of such heightened scrutiny and the reasons for it to an individual who is entitled to VA educational assistance and is enrolled in a course under such program.

The VA shall: (1) monitor allegations of deceptive and misleading program practices, including federal and state investigations; and (2) include information about allegations on the GI Bill Comparison Tool or any similar VA website.

The VA shall: (1) disapprove an educational course provided by an institution of higher learning if the VA determines pursuant to heightened scrutiny that such institution has engaged in erroneous, deceptive, or misleading practices; and (2) provide counseling services to assist affected individuals in transferring to another institution of higher learning.

The VA shall establish an interagency working group to: (1) share information about educational programs that employ deceptive or misleading practices; and (2) enter into information sharing memoranda of understanding with the Inspector Generals of relevant agencies to determine if funds from other federal programs are affected when one agency investigates a program for employing deceptive or misleading practices.

bill directs inspector general department veterans affairs apply heightened scrutiny program education federal state agency final determination settlement program advertising sales enrollment practices erroneous deceptive misleading shall provide notice heightened scrutiny reasons individual entitled educational assistance enrolled course program shall monitor allegations deceptive misleading program practices including federal state investigations include information allegations bill comparison tool similar website shall disapprove educational course provided institution higher learning determines pursuant heightened scrutiny institution engaged erroneous deceptive misleading practices provide counseling services assist affected individuals transferring institution higher learning shall establish interagency working group share information educational programs employ deceptive misleading practices enter information sharing memoranda understanding relevant agencies determine funds federal programs affected agency program employing deceptive misleading practices


Summary:
Veterans Success on Campus Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) provide educational and vocational counseling services for veterans at VA-selected institutions of higher learning, and (2) select locations where the maximum number of veterans would have access to such services.

(Sec. 3) The bill revises the fee that is deducted from a veteran's education entitlement under the Post-9/11 educational assistance program from a monthly to a prorated fee for: (1) certain license and certification tests, and (2) national tests.

(Sec. 4) The bill extends provisions requiring rounding down to the next lower dollar amount through FY2024, and rounding to the nearest whole dollar amount after FY2024, with respect to veterans educational assistance increases for: (1) the All-Volunteer Force, and (2) survivors and dependents.

(Sec. 5) The Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education is extended through December 31, 2021.

(Sec. 6) The VA shall, in consultation with state approving agencies, prescribe training requirements for a school certifying official (SCO) employed by a covered educational institution offering approved veterans education courses. The VA may disapprove any course of education offered by a covered educational institution that does not ensure that an SCO meets such requirements. (A covered educational institution is an institution that has enrolled 20 or more individuals using veterans educational assistance.)

(Sec. 7) A reporting fee paid by the VA to an educational institution or joint apprenticeship training committee after the date of enactment of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2011 with respect to an institution that has 75 or more enrollees may not be used for or merged with amounts available for the general fund of the educational institution or joint apprenticeship training committee.

(Sec. 8) The VA Inspector General shall apply heightened scrutiny to any education program if any federal or state agency has made a final judgment or settlement that the program used deceptive or misleading practices that are potentially in violation of advertising, sales, and enrollment practices.

 The VA shall: (1) provide notice of, and the reasons for, such heightened scrutiny to an individual who is enrolled in an approved course and entitled to educational assistance; and (2) advise such individual to request a transcript and seek counseling about transferring any credits earned.

 The VA shall: (1) monitor allegations of deceptive and misleading practices made against educational programs; and (2) include information about any such allegation on the GI Bill Comparison Tool or any similar VA website.

(Sec. 9) The VA shall: (1) disapprove a course of education provided by an institution of higher learning if the VA determines, pursuant to such heightened scrutiny, that the institution has engaged in deceptive or misleading practices; and (2) provide transfer counseling services to individuals enrolled in a disapproved course.

campus act sec bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs provide educational vocational counseling services veterans selected institutions higher learning select locations maximum number veterans access services sec bill revises fee deducted veteran education entitlement educational assistance program monthly prorated fee certain license certification tests national tests sec bill extends provisions requiring lower dollar fy2024 nearest dollar fy2024 respect veterans educational assistance increases volunteer force survivors dependents sec veterans advisory_committee_on_education extended december sec shall consultation state approving agencies prescribe training requirements school certifying official employed covered educational institution offering approved veterans education courses disapprove course education offered covered educational institution ensure meets requirements covered educational institution institution enrolled individuals veterans educational assistance sec reporting fee paid educational institution joint apprenticeship training committee date enactment respect institution enrollees merged amounts available general fund educational institution joint apprenticeship training committee sec inspector general shall apply heightened scrutiny education program federal state agency final judgment settlement program deceptive misleading practices potentially violation advertising sales enrollment practices shall provide notice reasons heightened scrutiny individual enrolled approved course entitled educational assistance advise individual request transcript seek counseling transferring credits earned shall monitor allegations deceptive misleading practices educational programs include information allegation bill comparison tool similar website sec shall disapprove course education provided institution higher learning determines pursuant heightened scrutiny institution engaged deceptive misleading practices provide transfer counseling services individuals enrolled disapproved course


Summary:
Higher Education Loan Payments for Students and Parents Act or the HELP for Students and Parents Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the tax exclusion for employer-provided educational assistance programs to exclude from the gross income of an employee: (1) employer payments of principal or interest on loans for higher education expenses incurred by an employee, and (2) any qualified dependent 529 contributions made by the employer. (Under current law, the maximum exclusion for educational assistance programs is $5,250 per year.)

A "qualified dependent 529 contribution" is any amount contributed by an employer to a qualified tuition program the designated beneficiary of which is an employee's child who: (1) has not attained the age of 19 at the time of the contribution, or (2) is a student who has not attained the age of 24 at the time of the contribution.

The bill also allows a business tax credit for employer-provided higher education assistance, including: (1) 50% of the student loan repayment expenditures of the taxpayer for the year, and (2) 50% of the qualified dependent 529 contributions made by the taxpayer for the year. The amount taken into account for each expenditure with respect to any employee for any taxable year may not exceed $5,250.

help students parents act bill amends internal_revenue_code expand tax exclusion employer provided educational assistance programs exclude gross income employee employer payments principal interest loans higher education expenses incurred employee qualified dependent contributions employer current law maximum exclusion educational assistance programs year qualified dependent contribution contributed employer qualified tuition program designated beneficiary employee child attained age time contribution student attained age time contribution bill allows business tax credit employer provided higher education assistance including student loan repayment expenditures taxpayer year qualified dependent contributions taxpayer year taken account expenditure respect employee taxable year exceed


Summary:
Fairness in Forgiveness Act of 2016

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include as a public service job for purposes of the public service loan forgiveness program a full-time job as an employee of a management and operating contractor of a national laboratory owned by the Department of Energy.

This Act and the amendments made by this Act take effect as if enacted on October 1, 2007.

fairness forgiveness act bill amends title student assistance higher education act include public service job purposes public service loan forgiveness program time job employee management operating contractor national laboratory owned department_of_energy act amendments act effect enacted october


Summary:
Stop Taxing Death and Disability Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of an individual the discharge of student loans or private education loans due to the death or disability of the student.

The bill also amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Department of Education (ED) to discharge the liability on loans that parents received on behalf of a student who: (1) has become permanently and totally disabled, or (2) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity due to a physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or has lasted or is expected to last continuously for at least 60 months. (Under current law, ED is required to discharge the loans to parents if the student dies.)

stop taxing death disability act sec bill amends internal_revenue_code exclude gross income individual discharge student loans private education loans death disability student bill amends higher education act require discharge liability loans parents received behalf student permanently totally disabled unable engage substantial gainful activity physical mental impairment expected result death expected continuously months current law required discharge loans parents student dies


Summary:
Student Loan Refinancing and Recalculation Act

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Department of Education to establish a program to refinance the outstanding principal, interest, and late charges on Federal Direct Loans (DLs) and Federal Family Education Loans (FFELs).

A refinanced loan has a fixed interest rate equal to the 10-year Treasury note rate plus 1 percentage point.

Additionally, the bill modifies the formula to calculate interest rates on new Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized, and PLUS Loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2017.

Finally, it eliminates the origination fee on Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized, and PLUS Loans disbursed (and on Consolidation Loans applied for) after enactment of this bill.

recalculation act bill amends title student assistance higher education act direct department_of_education establish program refinance outstanding principal interest late charges dls federal_family_education_loans ffels refinanced loan fixed interest rate equal year treasury note rate plus percentage point additionally bill modifies formula calculate interest rates new unsubsidized plus loans disbursed july finally eliminates origination fee unsubsidized plus loans disbursed applied enactment bill


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 2017-2018 and adjusts it in subsequent award years to account for changes in the Consumer Price Index.

Additionally, the bill 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: (1) has already received one Pell Grant for an award year, (2) is enrolled in an eligible program for an additional payment period (e.g., a summer term) during the same award year, (3) is enrolled on at least a part-time basis, and (4) has completed a full-time course load prior to receiving an additional Pell Grant.

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.

Finally, 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 additionally 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 enrolled time basis completed time course load prior receiving additional pell_grant student total pell_grants exceed maximum pell_grant award year period student receives additional pell_grant counts student lifetime pell_grant eligibility period finally bill increases semesters student lifetime federal pell grant eligibility period


Summary: This bill authorizes and appropriates additional funds for the Chicago State University, in Chicago, Illinois, to improve its academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability. Specifically, it authorizes and appropriates $10 million for FY2016 and $20 million for FY2017 and each subsequent fiscal year.

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