Summary:
Students Before Profits Act - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to require the Secretary of Education to: (1) use corrected data and information to recalculate the cohort default rates for institutions of higher education (IHEs) that have engaged in default manipulation, and (2) use the recalculated cohort default rates to redetermine whether those IHEs are disqualified from participating in title IV programs. (The cohort default rate represents the percentage of a school's borrowers who begin to repay Federal Family Education Loans [FFELs] or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans [DLs] in a fiscal year but default on those loans before the end of the second fiscal year following the fiscal year they began repaying them.)

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

Authorizes the Secretary to:

 impose a civil penalty on IHEs that engage in certain substantial misrepresentations or other serious HEA violations; impose smaller civil penalties on IHEs that engage in less serious title IV violations; impose employment sanctions and civil penalties against the officer of an IHE who knowingly and willfully, or with gross negligence, violates a title IV provision; limit, suspend, or terminate an IHE's participation in title IV programs for violating a title IV provision or any applicable special arrangement, agreement, or limitation; and take emergency action to withhold funds from an IHE or its students and withdraw the IHE's authority to obligate title IV funds in certain circumstances where immediate action is required to prevent the misuse of federal funds. Provides for the use of the civil penalties to: (1) conduct program reviews and ensure the integrity of IHEs participating or seeking to participate in title IV programs; and (2) finance a Student Relief Fund that is to be used to provide financial relief to any student enrolled in an IHE that fails to comply with the HEA's eligibility requirements or the terms of its title IV program participation agreement or that has been sanctioned pursuant to this Act's penalty provisions.

students profits act amends title student assistance higher education act hea require secretary education use corrected data information cohort default rates institutions higher education ihes engaged default manipulation use recalculated cohort default rates redetermine ihes disqualified participating title programs cohort default rate represents percentage school borrowers begin repay federal_family_education_loans ffels dls fiscal year default loans end second fiscal year following fiscal year began repaying directs secretary establish institutional risk sharing commission study recommendations implementation new risk sharing system holds ihes participate program financially accountable poor student outcomes authorizes secretary impose civil penalty ihes engage certain substantial misrepresentations hea violations impose smaller civil penalties ihes engage title violations impose employment sanctions civil penalties officer ihe knowingly willfully gross negligence violates title provision limit suspend terminate ihe participation title programs violating title provision applicable special arrangement agreement limitation emergency action withhold funds ihe students withdraw ihe authority obligate title funds certain circumstances immediate action required prevent misuse federal funds provides use civil penalties conduct program reviews ensure integrity ihes participating seeking participate title programs finance student relief fund provide financial relief student enrolled ihe fails comply hea eligibility requirements terms title program participation agreement sanctioned pursuant act penalty provisions


Summary:
Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require private educational lenders to disclose to borrowers at least 30 days before the first fully amortized payment on their loan is due:

 certain information concerning the terms of the loan, the date on which the first payment is due, the name of the lender and servicer and certain contact information, and a description of alternative repayment plans. Requires private educational lenders to disclose to borrowers who become 30 days delinquent on their loan:

 the date on which the loan will be charged-off or assigned to collections, including the consequences of those actions; the minimum payment that the borrower must make to avoid the loan being charged off or assigned to collection; the minimum payment that the borrower must make to bring the loan current; and a statement informing the borrower that paying less than the minimum could result in the loan being charged off or assigned to collection. Requires a private educational lender, when a borrower becomes 60 days delinquent or provides notice that he or she is having difficulty making payment, to:

 complete a full review of the loan and make a reasonable effort to determine if the borrower is eligible for an alternative repayment plan or servicemember or veteran benefits related to private education loans, inform the borrower about alternative repayment plans and benefits for which the borrower may be eligible, and give the borrower at least 30 days to apply for such a plan or benefit. Requires private educational lenders in all these situations to notify the borrower that a Servicemember and Veterans Liaison is available to answer inquiries about servicemember and veteran benefits related to private education loans.

Provides that if such a borrower notifies a private educational lender that a long-term alternative repayment plan is not needed, the lender may provide the borrower with information about forbearance or deferment options instead. Requires lenders to establish a process that enables borrowers to provide such notice.

Requires the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to develop and issue model forms to allow borrowers to compare their private education loan repayment plan with alternative repayment plans and forbearance and deferment options.

Establishes a student loan borrower bill of rights under the Truth in Lending Act and the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA).

Imposes specified notification and payment transfer and receipt obligations on transferors and transferees of student loans if the transfer of those loans results in a change of the party to whom the borrower must direct communications or send payments.

Prohibits student loan servicers from imposing late payment fees or finance charges on borrowers whose late payment is due to a change in the servicer's mailing address, office, or payment handling procedures.

Requires private education loan servicers, absent alternative instructions from the borrower, to apply payments first to the interest and fees a borrower owes on the payment due date and then to the principal of the borrower's private education loan that bears the highest interest rate.

Considers a private education loan to be rehabilitated if the borrower: (1) makes 9 payments of amounts owed on the loan within 20 days of the due date for 10 consecutive months, or (2) otherwise brings the loan current after it has been charged-off.

Requires student loan servicers to: (1) designate an employee who is specially trained on servicemember and veteran benefits to act as the servicemember and veterans liaison responsible for answering inquiries from servicemembers and veterans, and (2) provide servicemembers and veterans with a toll-free number to access that liaison.

Prohibits student loan lenders or servicers from charging-off or reporting a student loan as delinquent, assigned to collection, or charged-off to a credit reporting agency if the borrower is on active duty in a combat zone.

Requires student loan servicers to make available to borrowers: (1) through a secure website or in writing upon request, their loan history; and (2) upon request and at no charge, copies of the original loan documents.

Requires the Director of the CFPB to promulgate rules requiring student loan servicers to establish error resolution procedures.

Requires consumer credit information that is required to be disclosed to borrowers under the Truth in Lending Act to be available at no charge to such borrowers.

Requires the Director of the CFPB, under the HEA, to issue rules: (1) requiring lenders and servicers to contact borrowers who may be eligible to have their student loans discharged by the Secretary of Education and to provide them with information and a streamlined process for doing so, and (2) for the application of student loan payments in a manner that best benefits borrowers and is compatible with existing repayment options.

Amends the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program to require eligible lenders to provide borrowers, before repayment, when they are having difficulty making payments, and when they are delinquent, a statement that: (1) they may be entitled to servicemember and veteran benefits, and (2) a Servicemember and Veterans Liaison is available to answer their inquiries about those benefits.

Requires eligible lenders, under the FFEL program, and the Secretary, under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program, to inform borrowers of alternative repayment options and offer to enroll them in alternative repayment plans.

Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require a lender, before issuing a private education loan for a student attending an institution of higher education (IHE), to obtain the IHE's certification of: (1) the student's enrollment status, (2) the student's cost of attendance, and (3) the difference between that cost and the student's estimated financial assistance. Eliminates the requirement that such lenders obtain a self-certification form from the private education loan applicant.

Allows a lender to issue such a loan without a certification if the relevant IHE does not notify the lender, within 15 business days of the creditor's request for such certification, that it refuses to issue the certification or that it needs more time to comply with the request.

Requires private educational lenders to: (1) send loan statements to borrowers at least once every three months a student is enrolled at an IHE; (2) notify the relevant IHE, in writing, of the loan amount and the student to whom it applies no later than the date funds are issued; and (3) submit an annual report to the CFPB containing information the CFPB requires concerning private student loans.

Amends the HEA to require IHEs, before providing lenders with certifications or notice of their refusal to do so, to determine whether students have exhausted their options for assistance under title IV (Student Assistance) of the HEA and notify borrowers of: (1) the availability of such assistance, (2) their ability to choose their own private educational lender, (3) the impact of the proposed private education loan on their eligibility for other financial assistance, and (4) their right to accept or reject a private education loan within 30 days of the lender's approval of their application and to cancel the loan within 3 business days of its consummation.

Prohibits an IHE from providing a private lender with a certification unless: (1) the loan provides the borrower with alternative repayment plans, including loan consolidation or refinancing; and (2) loan liability is cancelled upon the death or disability of the borrower or co-borrower.

Treats lenders that receive a certification from an IHE as being in a preferred lender arrangement with that IHE.

bill rights amends truth lending act require private educational lenders disclose borrowers days fully amortized payment loan certain information concerning terms loan date payment lender servicer certain contact information description alternative repayment plans requires private educational lenders disclose borrowers days delinquent loan date loan charged assigned collections including consequences actions minimum payment borrower avoid loan charged assigned collection minimum payment borrower bring loan current statement informing borrower paying minimum result loan charged assigned collection requires private educational lender borrower days delinquent provides notice having difficulty making payment complete review loan reasonable effort determine borrower eligible alternative repayment plan servicemember veteran benefits related private education loans inform borrower alternative repayment plans benefits borrower eligible borrower days apply plan benefit requires private educational lenders situations notify borrower servicemember available answer inquiries servicemember veteran benefits related private education loans provides borrower notifies private educational lender long term alternative repayment plan needed lender provide borrower information forbearance deferment options instead requires lenders establish process enables borrowers provide notice requires director consumer_financial_protection_bureau cfpb develop issue model forms allow borrowers compare private education loan repayment plan alternative repayment plans forbearance deferment options establishes student loan borrower bill rights truth lending act higher education act hea imposes specified notification payment transfer receipt obligations transferors transferees student loans transfer loans results change party borrower direct communications send payments prohibits student loan servicers imposing late payment fees finance charges borrowers late payment change servicer mailing address office payment handling procedures requires private education loan servicers absent alternative instructions borrower apply payments interest fees borrower owes payment date principal borrower private education loan bears highest interest rate considers private education loan rehabilitated borrower makes payments amounts owed loan days date consecutive months brings loan current charged requires student loan servicers designate employee specially trained servicemember veteran benefits act servicemember veterans liaison responsible answering inquiries servicemembers veterans provide servicemembers veterans toll free number access liaison prohibits student loan lenders servicers charging reporting student loan delinquent assigned collection charged credit reporting agency borrower active duty combat zone requires student loan servicers available borrowers secure website writing request loan history request charge copies original loan documents requires director cfpb promulgate rules requiring student loan servicers establish error resolution procedures requires consumer credit information required disclosed borrowers truth lending act available charge borrowers requires director cfpb hea issue rules requiring lenders servicers contact borrowers eligible student loans discharged secretary education provide information streamlined process application student loan payments manner best benefits borrowers compatible existing repayment options amends federal_family_education_loan ffel program require eligible lenders provide borrowers repayment having difficulty making payments delinquent statement entitled servicemember veteran benefits servicemember available answer inquiries benefits requires eligible lenders ffel program secretary federal_direct_loan program inform borrowers alternative repayment options offer enroll alternative repayment plans amends truth lending act require lender issuing private education loan student attending institution higher education ihe obtain ihe certification student enrollment status student cost attendance difference cost student estimated financial assistance eliminates requirement lenders obtain self certification form private education loan applicant allows lender issue loan certification relevant ihe notify lender business days creditor request certification refuses issue certification needs time comply request requires private educational lenders send loan statements borrowers months student enrolled ihe notify relevant ihe writing loan student applies later date funds issued submit annual report cfpb containing information cfpb requires concerning private student loans amends hea require ihes providing lenders certifications notice refusal determine students exhausted options assistance title student assistance hea notify borrowers availability assistance ability choose private educational lender impact proposed private education loan eligibility financial assistance right accept reject private education loan days lender approval application cancel loan business days consummation prohibits ihe providing private lender certification loan provides borrower alternative repayment plans including loan consolidation refinancing loan liability cancelled death disability borrower borrower treats lenders receive certification ihe preferred lender arrangement ihe


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

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

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

Sets the interest on refinanced Consolidation Loans at the rate on Federal Direct PLUS Loans for the 12-month period beginning on July 1, 2013.

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

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

Imposes an administrative fee on the borrowers of such reissued loans that is based on the unpaid principal, and accrued unpaid interest and late charges, of their original loan.

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

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

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

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

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

Imposes an origination fee on the borrowers of Federal Direct Refinanced Private Loans.

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

Requires the Secretary to terminate this Act's refinancing programs when the net cost of carrying out the programs is equal to the Secretary's estimate of the amount of additional revenue generated during the 10-year period beginning on the date of this Act's enactment due to the fair share tax.

title student assistance higher education act direct secretary education establish program refinance unpaid principal accrued unpaid interest late charges federal direct loans dls qualified borrowers dls disbursed case direct_consolidation_loans applied july federal_family_education_loans ffel qualified borrowers dls ffels disbursed june refinances ffels federal_direct_stafford unsubsidized stafford plus depending categorization ffel consolidated_loan sets interest rate refinanced loans federal_direct_consolidation_loans rate months beginning july applicable categorization case stafford_loans applicable loan issued undergraduate student loan issued graduate student sets interest refinanced consolidation loans rate federal_direct_plus_loans month period beginning july fixes interest rate loans period loans directs secretary establish eligibility requirements based borrower income debt income ratio consideration providing access refinancing borrowers greatest financial need imposes administrative fee borrowers reissued loans based unpaid principal accrued unpaid interest late charges original loan requires secretary establish program refinance unpaid principal accrued unpaid interest late charges private education loans federal_direct_refinanced_private_loans private education loans disbursed qualified borrowers july postsecondary educational expenses sets interest rate federal_direct_refinanced_private_loans rate applicable months beginning july direct stafford unsubsidized stafford loans issued undergraduates private education loan issued undergraduate expenses direct unsubsidized stafford loans issued graduate professional students private education loan issued graduate professional studies direct plus loans private education loan issued undergraduate graduate professional studies fixes interest rate loans period loans directs secretary establish eligibility requirements based borrower income debt income ratio consideration providing access refinancing borrowers greatest financial need requires qualified borrowers loans undergo loan counseling private education loan refinanced imposes origination fee borrowers federal_direct_refinanced_private_loans amends internal revenue code require individual taxpayer adjusted gross income exceeds million pay minimum tax rate excess taxpayer adjusted gross income taxpayer modified charitable contribution deduction taxable year tentative fair share tax establishes tax excess tentative fair share tax excess sum taxpayer regular tax liability alternative minimum tax amt payroll tax taxable year certain tax credits provides phase tax requires inflation adjustment million income threshold taxable years beginning requires secretary terminate act refinancing programs net cost carrying programs equal secretary estimate additional revenue generated year period beginning date act enactment fair share tax


Summary:
Campus Accountability and Safety Act - Amends provisions of the Higher Education Act of 1965 known as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act to require institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in title IV (Student Assistance) programs to include in their annual campus security reports provided to current and prospective students and employees:

 the memorandum of understanding that this Act requires IHEs to enter into with local law enforcement agencies (and update every two years) to clearly delineate responsibilities and share information about certain serious crimes, including sexual violence, occurring against students or other individuals on campus; and specified information regarding the disposition of sexual offense cases by the IHE. Requires the crime statistics that IHEs are to compile and provide in such reports to be compiled in accordance with:

 definitions used by the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 for the offenses of domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking; and definitions for other offenses that are available under the National Incident-Based Reporting System or the Uniform Crime Reporting Program of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or, if not available there, that are provided by the Secretary of Education. Prohibits the statistics for such other crimes from identifying the victims or persons accused of such crimes.

Requires IHEs to provide new students and employees with a statement that identifies domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking as crimes which will be reported and with respect to which, based on the victim's wishes, the IHE will cooperate with local law enforcement.

Directs the Secretary to develop and administer through an online portal a standardized, online, and annual survey of students regarding their experiences with sexual violence and harassment. Omits survey responses from the annual crime statistics IHEs must report, but requires the Secretary to publish survey information that includes campus-level data for each school on the Department of Education's website annually.

Requires the Department to make publicly available guidance regarding the intersection of the campus security and crime statistics reporting requirements under title IV and requirements under title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

Authorizes the Secretary to impose a civil penalty upon IHEs that fail to carry out campus security and crime statistics reporting requirements.

Requires each IHE that receives federal funding to establish a campus security policy that includes:

 the designation of one or more confidential advisors at the IHE to whom victims of crime can report anonymously or directly; authorization for the IHE to provide an online reporting system to collect anonymous disclosures of crimes; provision on the IHE's website of the telephone number and URL for a hotline providing information to sexual violence victims and the name and location of the nearest medical facility where an individual may have a rape kit administered by a trained sexual violence forensic nurse, including information on transportation options and reimbursement for a visit to such facility; and an amnesty clause for any student who, in good faith, reports sexual violence to a responsible employee, with respect to a student conduct violation revealed in the course of such a report. Amends the Education Amendments of 1972 to require the Secretary to establish a title IX website that includes:

 the name and contact information for the title IX coordinator at each IHE, including a brief description of the coordinator's role and the roles of other officials who may be contacted regarding sexual harassment; and the Department's pending investigations and the actions it has taken regarding all title IX complaints and compliance reviews related to sexual harassment. Requires each IHE to employ an individual who shall complete minimum training requirements and be responsible for: (1) reporting cases of sexual harassment to the title IX coordinator; and (2) providing students and employees who report having been a victim of sexual harassment on or off campus with a written explanation of their rights and options.

Requires each individual who is involved in implementing an IHE's grievance procedures to have training or experience in handling sexual violence complaints and the operations of the IHE's grievance procedures. Sets forth minimum training requirements.

Requires each IHE that receives federal funding to establish and carry out a uniform process for disciplinary proceedings relating to claims of sexual violence that shall not vary based on the status or characteristics of a student involved in the process.

Authorizes: (1) the Secretary or the Attorney General (DOJ) to impose a civil penalty on IHEs that violate or fail to carry out title IX requirements regarding sexual violence, and (2) individuals to file a complaint regarding such a violation with the Department's Office for Civil Rights.

Amends the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 to: (1) increase the minimum grant that may be provided to IHEs to combat domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking on campuses; and (2) authorize the use of such grants to train campus personnel in conducting victim-centered, trauma-informed (forensic) interviews.

campus accountability safety act amends provisions higher education act known jeanne clery disclosure campus security policy campus crime statistics act require institutions higher education ihes participate title student assistance programs include annual campus security reports provided current prospective students employees memorandum understanding act requires ihes enter local law enforcement agencies update years clearly delineate responsibilities share information certain crimes including sexual violence occurring students individuals campus specified information disposition sexual offense cases ihe requires crime statistics ihes compile provide reports compiled accordance definitions violence_against_women_act offenses domestic violence dating violence stalking definitions offenses available national incident based reporting system federal_bureau_of_investigation fbi available provided secretary education prohibits statistics crimes identifying victims persons accused crimes requires ihes provide new students employees statement identifies domestic violence dating violence sexual assault stalking crimes reported respect based victim wishes ihe cooperate local law enforcement directs secretary develop administer online portal standardized online annual survey students experiences sexual violence harassment omits survey responses annual crime statistics ihes report requires secretary publish survey information includes campus level data school department_of_education website annually requires department publicly available guidance campus security crime statistics reporting requirements title requirements title education_amendments authorizes secretary impose civil penalty ihes fail carry campus security crime statistics reporting requirements requires ihe receives federal funding establish campus security policy includes designation confidential advisors ihe victims crime report anonymously directly authorization ihe provide online reporting system collect anonymous disclosures crimes provision ihe website telephone number hotline providing information sexual violence victims location nearest medical facility individual rape kit administered trained sexual violence forensic nurse including information transportation options reimbursement visit facility amnesty clause student good faith reports sexual violence responsible employee respect student conduct violation revealed course report amends education_amendments require secretary establish title website includes contact information title coordinator ihe including brief description coordinator role roles officials contacted sexual harassment department pending investigations actions taken title complaints compliance reviews related sexual harassment requires ihe employ individual shall complete minimum training requirements responsible reporting cases sexual harassment title coordinator providing students employees report having victim sexual harassment campus written explanation rights options requires individual involved implementing ihe grievance procedures training experience handling sexual violence complaints operations ihe grievance procedures sets forth minimum training requirements requires ihe receives federal funding establish carry uniform process disciplinary proceedings relating claims sexual violence shall vary based status characteristics student involved process authorizes secretary attorney general doj impose civil penalty ihes violate fail carry title requirements sexual violence individuals file complaint violation amends violence women department_of_justice reauthorization act increase minimum grant provided ihes combat domestic violence dating violence sexual assault stalking campuses authorize use grants train campus personnel conducting victim centered trauma informed forensic interviews


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

(Sec. 3) This bill amends the District of Columbia Code to prohibit the Department of Education from limiting the number of eligible students receiving District of Columbia Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) scholarships, and from preventing otherwise eligible students from participating in the OSP because of:

 the type of school the student previously attended; or whether or not the individual previously received the scholarship or participated in OSP, or was a member of the control group used by the Institute of Education Sciences to carry out previous OSP evaluations. This prohibition may not be construed to waive the requirements under the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act (SOAR) that the entity implementing the OSP must implement a random selection process giving weight to SOAR priorities if more eligible students seek admission in the OSP than it can accommodate.

(Sec. 4) An eligible nonprofit organization's application for an OSP grant must include how it will ensure that it utilizes internal fiscal and quality controls.

(Sec. 5) Priorities for the award of scholarships to eligible students are modified to give priority to students who:

 in the preceding school year attended a school identified as one of the lowest-performing schools under the DC accountability system (currently certain elementary or secondary schools identified for improvements, corrective action, or restructuring), and certain students regardless of whether they have attended a private school. (Sec. 6) OSP-participating schools must:

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

 within one year after enactment of this Act; and within five years after such enactment, must be accredited. An eligible entity may extend this deadline for a single one-year period if the school provides it with evidence from an accrediting body that its application for accreditation is in process and that it will be awarded accreditation before the end of such period.

After notifying the eligible entity, non-participating private schools seeking to participate in the OSP, and meeting all other requirements, must also be provisionally or fully accredited, or in the process of seeking accreditation within such five-year period. The entity may also extend this deadline for such period.

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

The Department must make previously unobligated OSP funds for any fiscal year (including one occurring before enactment of this Act) available to award new scholarships to students during the next fiscal year and (if still unobligated at the end of that fiscal year) any subsequent fiscal year.

(Sec. 7) The Department must ensure that the evaluation of scholarship students is conducted using an acceptable quasi-experimental research design for determining the effectiveness of the OSP without using a control study group consisting of students who applied for, but did not receive, opportunity scholarships.

The Institute of Education Sciences of the Department must assess participating eligible students in each of grades 3 through 8, and 1 of the grades in the high school level, by supervising the administration of the same reading and math assessment used by the DC public schools to comply with the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.

This bill also, however, repeals the requirement that the Institute use a grade appropriate, nationally norm-referenced standardized test each school year to assess participating eligible students.

The Department must: (1) terminate the current OSP evaluation procedures after obtaining data for the 2015-2016 school year; and (2) submit the required SOAR reports for them. The Department shall conduct new evaluations for the 2016-2017 school year in accordance with SOAR's procedures as amended by this section. As a component of the new evaluations, the Department shall continue to monitor and evaluate the students evaluated in the most recent evaluation before the enactment of this Act, along with their corresponding test scores and other information.

The DC Mayor shall ensure that all DC public schools and public charter schools make available to the Institute of Education Sciences all the information the Institute requires to carry out assessments and perform evaluations. (Sec. 8) The Department's authority is revised for withholding specified OSP funds provided to the DC Mayor for DC public and charter schools for noncompliance with SOAR requirements.

The Department must also direct to the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) the funds provided to support DC public charter schools, and the OSSE may transfer them to subgrantees that are:

 specific DC public charter schools in good standing or networks of such schools, or DC-based non-profit organizations with experience in successfully providing support or assistance to such schools or networks. The OSSE and the DC Charter School Board may not restrict the availability of such funds to certain types of schools based on their location, governing body, or any other characteristic.

(Sec. 9) The Department and the Mayor shall revise the memorandum of understanding in effect to address the need to ensure that participating schools meet fire code standards and maintain certificates of occupancy.

(Sec. 10) The OSP is reauthorized through FY2021.

scholarships sec bill amends district_of_columbia code prohibit department_of_education limiting number eligible students receiving scholarships preventing eligible students participating type school student previously attended individual previously received scholarship participated member control group institute_of_education_sciences carry previous evaluations prohibition construed waive requirements scholarships opportunity results act soar entity implementing implement random selection process giving weight soar priorities eligible students seek admission accommodate sec eligible nonprofit organization application grant include ensure utilizes internal fiscal quality controls sec priorities award scholarships eligible students modified priority students preceding school year attended school identified lowest performing schools accountability system currently certain elementary secondary schools identified improvements corrective action restructuring certain students regardless attended private school sec participating schools conduct criminal background checks school employees direct unsupervised interactions students comply requests data information soar reporting requirements participating private schools fully accredited process seeking accreditation year enactment act years enactment accredited eligible entity extend deadline single year period school provides evidence accrediting body application accreditation process awarded accreditation end period notifying eligible entity non participating private schools seeking participate meeting requirements fully accredited process seeking accreditation year period entity extend deadline period department funds available eligible entities receiving grant administrative expenses parental education assistance including streamlining application process department previously unobligated funds fiscal year including occurring enactment act available award new scholarships students fiscal year unobligated end fiscal year subsequent fiscal year sec department ensure evaluation scholarship students conducted acceptable quasi experimental research design determining effectiveness control study group consisting students applied receive opportunity scholarships assess participating eligible students grades grades high school level supervising administration reading math assessment public schools comply elementary secondary education act bill repeals requirement institute use grade appropriate nationally norm referenced standardized test school year assess participating eligible students department terminate current evaluation procedures obtaining data school year submit required soar reports department shall conduct new evaluations school year accordance soar procedures amended section component new evaluations department shall continue monitor evaluate students evaluated recent evaluation enactment act corresponding test scores information mayor shall ensure public schools public charter schools available institute_of_education_sciences information institute requires carry assessments perform evaluations sec department authority revised withholding specified funds provided mayor public charter schools noncompliance soar requirements department direct funds provided support public charter schools transfer subgrantees specific public charter schools good standing networks schools based non profit organizations experience successfully providing support assistance schools networks restrict availability funds certain types schools based location governing body characteristic sec department mayor shall revise memorandum understanding effect address need ensure participating schools meet fire code standards maintain certificates occupancy sec reauthorized fy2021


Summary:
Stopping Abusive Student Loan Collection Practices in Bankruptcy Act of 2015

Amends federal bankruptcy law to allow an individual whose student loan debt is discharged due to undue hardship to recover the costs of, and a reasonable attorney's fee for, the discharge proceeding if the court finds that the position of the creditor was not substantially justified.

stopping abusive student loan collection practices bankruptcy act amends federal bankruptcy law allow individual student loan debt discharged undue hardship recover costs reasonable attorney fee discharge proceeding court finds position creditor substantially justified


Summary:
Affordability for Constant and Continual Education to Enhance Student Success Act or the All-Year ACCESS Act

Directs the Secretary of Education to award an additional Pell Grant to an eligible student who: (1) has received a Pell Grant for an award year, and (2) is enrolled in a program of study for one or more additional payment periods during the same award year that are not otherwise covered by the Pell Grant.

Requires such a student to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis for a period of more than one academic year, or more than the equivalent of two semesters, during a single award year.

Limits the total amount of the Pell Grants awarded to such student for the award year to 150% of the maximum Pell Grant for such award year.

affordability constant continual education enhance student success act year access act directs secretary education award additional pell_grant eligible student received pell_grant award year enrolled program study additional payment periods award year covered pell_grant requires student enrolled half time basis period academic year equivalent semesters single award year limits total pell_grants awarded student award year maximum pell_grant award year


Summary:
Discharge Student Loans in Bankruptcy Act of 2015

Amends the federal bankruptcy code to allow the discharge in bankruptcy of an educational loan or an obligation to repay funds received as an educational benefit, scholarship, or stipend. (Currently, those debts are dischargeable only if excepting them from discharge would impose an undue hardship on the debtor and the debtor's dependents.)

discharge student loans bankruptcy act amends federal bankruptcy code allow discharge bankruptcy educational loan obligation repay funds received educational benefit scholarship stipend currently debts dischargeable excepting discharge impose undue hardship debtor debtor dependents


Summary:
Reducing Barriers for Veterans Education Act of 2015

Makes an individual who is eligible for educational assistance under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance program eligible for assistance with the fees for applying to institutions of higher education (IHEs).

Sets the amount of such assistance payable to an individual at the lesser of: (1) the total application fees charged to the individual by the IHEs, or (2) $750.

reducing barriers veterans education act makes individual eligible educational assistance program eligible assistance fees applying institutions higher education ihes sets assistance payable individual lesser total application fees charged individual ihes


Summary:
STEM Opportunities Act of 2015

Directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to provide federal science agencies with guidance on establishing specified policies to accommodate the needs of caregiver researchers who receive their research awards.

Requires each federal science agency to annually collect and submit to the National Science Foundation (NSF) institution-level data on demographics, primary field, award type, review rating (as practicable), budget request, funding outcome, and awarded budget for all applications for merit-reviewed research and development grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) and federal laboratories. Requires NSF to publish a statistical summary of that data.

Directs OSTP, in collaboration with NSF, to identify and disseminate to federal science agencies information and best practices useful in educating program officers and members of standing peer review committees at federal science agencies about: (1) research on implicit gender, race, or ethnic bias; and (2) methods to minimize the effect of such bias in federal research grant reviews.

Requires federal science agencies to maintain or develop and implement policies and practices to minimize the effects of implicit bias in federal research grant reviews.

Directs NSF, within three years of this Act's enactment and at least every five years thereafter, to conduct a survey to collect institution-level data on the demographics of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) faculty, by broad fields of STEM, at different types of IHEs. Requires NSF to publish a statistical summary of that data.

Requires NSF to develop written guidance for IHEs on the best practices for: (1) conducting periodic campus culture surveys of STEM departments; and (2) educating STEM faculty and administrators about implicit bias in recruiting, evaluating, and promoting STEM students and faculty.

Directs NSF to broadly disseminate that guidance to IHEs that receive federal research funding.

Directs OSTP to develop written guidance for federal laboratories to develop and implement practices and policies to: (1) conduct periodic laboratory-wide culture surveys of research personnel at all levels; and (2) educate STEM research personnel about implicit bias in recruiting, evaluating, and promoting researchers at federal laboratories.

Requires federal science agencies to maintain or develop and implement such policies for their laboratories.

Directs NSF to recommend a uniform policy for federal science agencies to carry out workshops to educate STEM department chairs at IHEs, senior managers at federal laboratories, and other federally funded researchers about methods of minimizing the effects of implicit bias in the career advancement of academic and federal STEM researchers.

Requires NSF to award research grants and conduct dissemination activities consistent with this Act's goal of ensuring that federal science agencies and IHE research grant recipients are fully engaging their talent pool.

Directs NSF to award competitive grants to IHEs to develop innovative reform efforts designed to increase the recruitment, retention, and advancement of individuals from underrepresented minority groups in academic STEM careers.

Requires NSF to award competitive grants to IHEs to implement or expand research-based reforms in undergraduate STEM education to recruit and retain minority students who are underrepresented in STEM fields, with a priority focus on the natural science and engineering fields.

Requires each grant to include an education research component so that reform efforts can be evaluated and, if shown to be effective, replicated to improve the participation of minority students in STEM fields at other schools.

ostp provide federal science agencies guidance establishing specified policies accommodate needs caregiver researchers receive research awards requires federal science agency annually collect submit national_science_foundation nsf institution level data demographics primary field award type review rating practicable budget request funding outcome awarded budget applications merit reviewed research development grants institutions higher education ihes federal laboratories requires nsf publish statistical summary data directs ostp collaboration nsf identify disseminate federal science agencies information best practices useful educating program officers members standing peer review committees federal science agencies research implicit gender race ethnic bias methods minimize effect bias federal research grant reviews requires federal science agencies maintain develop implement policies practices minimize effects implicit bias federal research grant reviews directs nsf years act enactment years conduct survey collect institution level data demographics science technology engineering mathematics stem faculty broad fields stem different types ihes requires nsf publish statistical summary data requires nsf develop written guidance ihes best practices conducting periodic campus culture surveys stem departments educating stem faculty administrators implicit bias recruiting evaluating promoting stem students faculty directs nsf broadly disseminate guidance ihes receive federal research funding directs ostp develop written guidance federal laboratories develop implement practices policies conduct periodic laboratory wide culture surveys research personnel levels educate stem research personnel implicit bias recruiting evaluating promoting researchers federal laboratories requires federal science agencies maintain develop implement policies laboratories directs nsf recommend uniform policy federal science agencies carry workshops educate stem department chairs ihes senior managers federal laboratories federally funded researchers methods minimizing effects implicit bias career advancement academic federal stem researchers requires nsf award research grants conduct dissemination activities consistent act goal ensuring federal science agencies ihe research grant recipients fully engaging talent pool directs nsf award competitive grants ihes develop innovative reform efforts designed increase recruitment retention advancement individuals underrepresented minority groups academic stem careers requires nsf award competitive grants ihes implement expand research based reforms undergraduate stem education recruit retain minority students underrepresented stem fields priority focus natural science engineering fields requires grant include education research component reform efforts evaluated shown effective replicated improve participation minority students stem fields schools


Summary:
GI Bill Processing Improvement Act of 2015

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to alter the information technology system of the Veterans Benefits Administration to ensure that: (1) all claims for post-9/11 educational assistance are electronically adjudicated, to the maximum extent possible; and (2) rule-based processing is used to decide such claims with little human intervention.

Changes from July 1, 2015, to July 1, 2016, the effective date of the requirement that the Secretary disapprove, for purposes of the All-Volunteer Force and the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance programs, courses of education provided by a public educational institution of higher education that charges veterans living in the state higher tuition and fees than it charges in-state residents, regardless of the veterans' state of residence.

Allows individuals to elect to convert their educational assistance to the post-9/11 veterans' educational assistance program if, as of August 1, 2009, they meet specified conditions with respect to their entitlements and elections under the all-volunteer force educational assistance program or certain other educational programs for professional military, selected reserve, or reserve component members. Conditions such post-9/11 program eligibility on the individual meeting the requirements for the post-9/11 program as of the date of election.

 Sets forth transitional rules with respect to the transfer or revocation of entitlements from a previous assistance program after an election to convert to the post-9/11 program. Requires certain assistance to remain available to individuals under their previous program if it is not available under the post-9/11 program.

Authorizes the Secretary, if an individual submits an election that the Secretary determines is against the interests of the individual, to make an alternative election on the individual's behalf. Allows such individual, during a specified period, to modify or revoke the Secretary's alternative selection.

 Requires individuals and educational institutions participating in the post-Vietnam era and post-9/11 veterans' educational assistance programs, in addition to those participating in the VA's other educational assistance programs, to report to the Secretary such enrollment and any updates on interruption or termination of the education (thereby making the enrollment reporting requirements for the post-Vietnam and post-9/11 programs consistent with other veterans' educational programs).

Defines "educational institution" to permit the inclusion of groups, districts, or consortiums of separately accredited educational institutions in the same state that are organized in a manner facilitating the centralized reporting of enrollments.

Directs the Secretary to make available to educational institutions, through an Internet website, information on the amount of educational assistance to which their students are entitled under the all-volunteer force, post-Vietnam era, post-9/11, and survivors' and dependents' educational assistance programs.

bill processing improvement act directs secretary veterans_affairs alter information technology system veterans_benefits_administration ensure claims educational assistance electronically adjudicated maximum extent possible rule based processing decide claims little human intervention changes july july effective date requirement secretary disapprove purposes volunteer force educational assistance programs courses education provided public educational institution higher education charges veterans living state higher tuition fees charges state residents regardless veterans state residence allows individuals elect convert educational assistance veterans educational assistance program august meet specified conditions respect entitlements elections volunteer force educational assistance program certain educational programs professional military selected reserve reserve component members conditions program eligibility individual meeting requirements program date election sets forth transitional rules respect transfer revocation entitlements previous assistance program election convert program requires certain assistance remain available individuals previous program available program authorizes secretary individual submits election secretary determines interests individual alternative election individual behalf allows individual specified period modify revoke secretary alternative selection requires individuals educational institutions participating post vietnam era veterans educational assistance programs addition participating educational assistance programs report secretary enrollment updates interruption termination education making enrollment reporting requirements post vietnam programs consistent veterans educational programs defines educational institution permit inclusion groups districts consortiums separately accredited educational institutions state organized manner facilitating centralized reporting enrollments directs secretary available educational institutions internet website information educational assistance students entitled volunteer force post vietnam era survivors dependents educational assistance programs


Summary:
GI Bill Education Quality Enhancement Act of 2015

Deems specified education programs to be approved for veterans' education benefit purposes if a state approving agency determines that they qualify. Authorizes a state approving agency, or the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) acting in the role of a state approving agency, to approve other accredited programs for such purposes.

Continues to allow state approving agencies to establish additional criteria (other than those set forth in current law) for the approval of nonaccredited courses, but requires VA to determine that such criteria are necessary and treat public, private, and proprietary for-profit educational institutions equitably.

Prohibits VA from including flight training fees in the in-state tuition and fees at public institutions of higher education (IHEs) that are covered by post-9/11 veterans' educational assistance. Requires post-9/11 veterans' educational assistance for flight training programs at public IHEs to be determined in the same manner as such assistance for education programs pursued at non-public or foreign IHEs is determined.

Directs VA to conduct an annual compliance survey of educational institutions and training establishments offering courses approved for veterans' education benefits if at least 20 individuals who are eligible for such benefits are enrolled in any such course. (Currently, an annual compliance survey of each institution offering such courses must be conducted if at least 300 beneficiaries are enrolled or if any such course does not lead to a standard college degree.) Authorizes VA to waive the annual survey for institutions or establishments that have a record of compliance. Requires VA to conduct a biennial survey of each educational institution and training establishment that offers courses approved for veterans' education benefits.

deems specified education programs approved veterans education benefit purposes state approving agency determines qualify authorizes state approving agency secretary veterans_affairs acting role state approving agency approve accredited programs purposes continues allow state approving agencies establish additional criteria set forth current law approval courses requires determine criteria necessary treat public private proprietary profit educational institutions equitably including flight training fees state tuition fees public institutions higher education ihes covered veterans educational assistance requires veterans educational assistance flight training programs public ihes determined manner assistance education programs pursued non public foreign ihes determined directs conduct annual compliance survey educational institutions training establishments offering courses approved veterans education benefits individuals eligible benefits enrolled course currently annual compliance survey institution offering courses conducted beneficiaries enrolled course lead standard college degree authorizes waive annual survey institutions establishments record compliance requires_va conduct biennial survey educational institution training establishment offers courses approved veterans education benefits


Summary:
Student Loan Interest Deduction Act of 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase the maximum tax deduction for interest paid on any qualified education loan to $5,000 ($10,000 for married couples filing a joint tax return), and (2) repeal the limitation on such deduction based upon modified adjusted gross income.

amends internal revenue code increase maximum tax deduction interest paid qualified education loan married couples filing joint tax return repeal limitation deduction based modified adjusted gross income


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on February 20, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

This bill makes changes to the rules for qualified tuition programs (known as 529 plans).

(Sec. 2) The Internal Revenue Code is amended to allow payments from 529 plans for the purchase of computer or peripheral equipment, computer software, or Internet access and related services to be used primarily by a 529 plan beneficiary while enrolled in an eligible educational institution.

(Sec. 3) The requirement that distributions from a 529 plan be aggregated for purposes of determining the amount includible in a taxpayer's income is eliminated.

(Sec. 4) Students who receive a refund from an eligible educational institution can recontribute such refund to a 529 plan without tax consequences if the recontribution is made not later than 60 days after the date of such refund and does not exceed the refunded amount.

measure amended reported house february summary version repeated bill makes changes rules qualified tuition programs known plans sec internal revenue code amended allow payments plans purchase computer peripheral equipment computer software internet access related services primarily plan beneficiary enrolled eligible educational institution sec requirement distributions plan aggregated purposes determining includible taxpayer income eliminated sec students receive refund eligible educational institution recontribute refund plan tax consequences later days date refund exceed refunded


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow payment of home school expenses from Coverdell education savings accounts; (2) remove the dollar limitation on contributions to Coverdell education savings accounts and require such accounts to provide adequate safeguards to prevent contributions from exceeding the amount necessary to provide for the qualified education expenses of the account beneficiary; and (3) allow tax-exempt qualified tuition programs (529 tuition programs) to pay qualified pre-kindergarten, elementary, and secondary education expenses.

amends internal revenue code allow payment home school expenses coverdell education savings accounts remove dollar limitation contributions coverdell education savings accounts require accounts provide adequate safeguards prevent contributions exceeding necessary provide qualified education expenses account beneficiary allow tax exempt qualified tuition programs tuition programs pay qualified pre kindergarten elementary secondary education expenses


Summary:
Enhancing Educational Opportunities for all Students Act

Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow a state educational agency to allocate grant funds among local educational agencies based on the number of eligible children (children age 5 to 17 from a family with an income below the poverty level) enrolled in the public schools and the state-accredited private schools within each local agency's geographic jurisdiction.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow payment of home school expenses from Coverdell education savings accounts; (2) remove the dollar limitation on contributions to Coverdell education savings accounts and require such accounts to provide adequate safeguards to prevent contributions from exceeding the amount necessary to provide for the qualified education expenses of the account beneficiary; and (3) allow tax-exempt qualified tuition programs (529 tuition programs) to pay qualified pre-kindergarten, elementary, and secondary education expenses.

students act amends elementary secondary education act allow state educational agency allocate grant funds local educational agencies based number eligible children children age family income poverty level enrolled public schools state accredited private schools local agency geographic jurisdiction amends internal revenue code allow payment home school expenses coverdell education savings accounts remove dollar limitation contributions coverdell education savings accounts require accounts provide adequate safeguards prevent contributions exceeding necessary provide qualified education expenses account beneficiary allow tax exempt qualified tuition programs tuition programs pay qualified pre kindergarten elementary secondary education expenses


Summary:
Veteran Excellence Through Education Act of 2015

Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make grants, during FY2016-FY2021, to minority-serving institutions to establish verified delivery systems that address the social and academic problems facing enrolled veterans.

Includes among authorized grant activities: (1) educational services, including courses in English as a second language, financial literacy workshops and courses, and health and wellness programs; (2) increased access to workforce services; (3) support services such as housing, transportation, and child care; and (4) establishing a veteran support team.

Requires an institution, in order to receive such a grant, to submit to the Secretary a program plan and strategy to meet the needs of enrolled veterans.

veteran excellence education act authorizes secretary veterans_affairs grants minority serving institutions establish verified delivery systems address social academic problems facing enrolled veterans includes authorized grant activities educational services including courses english second language financial literacy workshops courses health wellness programs increased access workforce services support services housing transportation child care establishing veteran support team requires institution order receive grant submit secretary program plan strategy meet needs enrolled veterans


Summary:
Veterans Education Survey Act of 2015

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enter into a contract with a non-government entity to conduct a survey of a statistically valid sample of individuals who have used or are using their entitlement to veterans educational assistance to pursue a program of education or training.

Requires: (1) the survey to be submitted to the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees not later than one month before the collection of data begins, and (2) the entity to conduct the survey electronically or by other appropriate means and to complete the survey and submit the results to the Secretary not later than 180 days after entering into the contract.

Requires the survey to be designed to collect specified types of information about each individual surveyed, including: (1) demographic information, including the highest level of education completed, military occupational specialties while serving in the Armed Forces, National Guard, or Reserves, and whether the individual has a service-connected disability; (2) the individual's opinion regarding participation in the transition assistance program and the effectiveness of the program; (3) the nature of the individual's experience with the VA's education benefits processing system; and (4) the individual's employment status and whether such status differs from the individual's status prior to enrolling in the program of education or training.

Directs the Secretary to report to the Committees on the results of the survey, including an unedited version of the results submitted, and any recommendations.

veterans education survey act directs secretary veterans_affairs enter contract non government entity conduct survey statistically valid sample individuals entitlement veterans educational assistance pursue program education training requires survey submitted senate later month collection data begins entity conduct survey electronically appropriate means complete survey submit results secretary later days entering contract requires survey designed collect specified types information individual surveyed including demographic information including highest level education completed military occupational specialties serving reserves individual service connected disability individual opinion participation transition assistance program effectiveness program nature individual experience education benefits processing system individual employment status status differs individual status prior enrolling program education training directs secretary report committees results survey including version results submitted recommendations


Summary:
Student Loan Refinancing Act

Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow a borrower of a loan under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program to modify the interest rate on such a loan so that its interest rate is equal to the interest rate it would bear if first disbursed at the time of modification.

Fixes that interest rate for the life of the loan, unless the borrower elects to modify it again.

amends title student assistance higher education act allow borrower loan federal_direct_loan program modify interest rate loan interest rate equal interest rate bear disbursed time modification fixes interest rate life loan borrower elects modify


Summary:
Helping Families Save for Education Act

 Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to Coverdell education savings accounts, to: (1) increase the age limit for beneficiaries of such accounts after which contributions may not be made from age 18 to age 22, and (2) increase the maximum contribution limit in any taxable year from $2,000 to $10,000.

helping families save education act amends internal revenue code respect coverdell education savings accounts increase age limit beneficiaries accounts contributions age age increase maximum contribution limit taxable year


Summary:
GI Bill STEM Extension Act of 2015

Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay up to nine months of additional Post-9/11 Educational Assistance to a veteran who has used all of the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance to which he or she was entitled and who: (1) is enrolled in a postsecondary education program that requires more than the standard 128 semester (or 192 quarter) credit hours for completion in a specified science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field; or (2) has earned a postsecondary degree in one of those fields and is enrolled in a teaching certification program.

bill stem extension act authorizes secretary veterans_affairs pay months additional veteran entitled enrolled postsecondary education program requires standard semester quarter credit hours completion specified science technology engineering mathematics stem field earned postsecondary degree fields enrolled teaching certification program


Summary:
FAFSA Fairness Act of 2015

Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Secretary of Education to disclose, on the form notifying students of their expected family contribution, the special circumstances under which students may qualify as independent for purposes of the determination regarding their need and eligibility for title IV assistance.

Allows students who may qualify as independent on the basis of those special circumstances to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid as independent students for purposes of the initial determination of their title IV assistance by a financial aid administrator at an institution of higher education to which they are applying.

Requires the financial aid administrators to: (1) provide those students with an initial determination regarding their title IV assistance in the same manner as, and by no later than the date that, they provide other independent students with that determination; and (2) use, in making a final determination regarding that assistance, the discretion provided to them under title IV to verify whether such students meet the special circumstances to qualify as independent students.

fafsa fairness act amends title student assistance higher education act require secretary education disclose form notifying students expected family contribution special circumstances students qualify independent purposes determination need eligibility title assistance allows students qualify independent basis special circumstances complete free_application_for_federal_student_aid independent students purposes initial determination title assistance financial aid administrator institution higher education applying requires financial aid administrators provide students initial determination title assistance manner later date provide independent students determination use making final determination assistance discretion provided title verify students meet special circumstances qualify independent students


Summary:
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Professional Readiness Education Preparation Act or the STEM PREP Act of 2015

This bill amends the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to replace the TECH prep grant program with a STEM prep grant program for career and technical education programs focused on training students to enter the STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) fields.

A grant-receiving consortium may include a nonprofit institution of higher education offering a one-year certificate program or a one-year apprenticeship program.

The duration of a STEM program, currently 4- to 6-years, may extend from a 3-year to a 6-year length.

Special consideration shall be given to consortium applications showcasing curricula that lead to greater critical thinking and problem solving skills by incorporating fine arts into the STEM prep program.

A matching grant requirement is established for program eligibility.

stem prep act bill amends replace tech prep grant program stem prep grant program career technical education programs focused training students enter stem science technology engineering mathematics fields grant receiving consortium include nonprofit institution higher education offering year certificate program year apprenticeship program duration stem program currently years extend year year length special consideration shall given consortium applications curricula lead greater critical thinking problem solving skills incorporating fine arts stem prep program matching grant requirement established program eligibility


Summary:
Fast Track to College Act of 2015

Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award matching six-year grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) that partner with institutions of higher education (IHEs) to establish or support dual enrollment programs, such as early college high schools, that allow secondary school students to earn credit simultaneously toward a secondary school diploma and a postsecondary degree or certificate.

Gives grant priority to applicants: (1) that propose to establish or support a dual enrollment program for a student body at least 40% of which is impoverished; and (2) from states that provide assistance to dual enrollment programs, such as assistance defraying the costs of higher education.

Requires applicants to make assurances that: (1) students will not be required to pay tuition or fees for postsecondary courses, and (2) those courses will be taught by faculty that meet their partner IHE's normal standards.

Authorizes the Secretary to award matching five-year grants to states to: (1) plan and implement statewide strategies to make dual enrollment programs more accessible to students who are underrepresented in postsecondary education; (2) provide technical assistance to dual enrollment programs; and (3) engage in outreach, assessment, and teacher training activities designed to strengthen such programs.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) contract for an independent evaluation of this Act's programs, and (2) provide technical assistance to LEAs and their partners and disseminate information concerning best practices in dual enrollment programs.

fast track college act authorizes secretary education award matching year grants local educational agencies leas partner institutions higher education ihes establish support dual enrollment programs early college high schools allow secondary school students earn credit simultaneously secondary school diploma postsecondary degree certificate gives grant priority applicants propose establish support dual enrollment program student body impoverished states provide assistance dual enrollment programs assistance defraying costs higher education requires applicants assurances students required pay tuition fees postsecondary courses courses taught faculty meet partner ihe normal standards authorizes secretary award matching year grants states plan implement statewide strategies dual enrollment programs accessible students underrepresented postsecondary education provide technical assistance dual enrollment programs engage outreach assessment teacher training activities designed strengthen programs directs secretary contract independent evaluation act programs provide technical assistance leas partners disseminate information concerning best practices dual enrollment programs


Summary:
Pell Grant Funding Act

Directs the Secretary of Education to use any excess revenue generated by the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program during a fiscal year to carry out the Federal Pell Grant program in the next fiscal year.

directs secretary education use excess revenue generated federal_direct_loan program fiscal year carry federal pell grant program fiscal year


Summary:
Supporting Academic Freedom through Regulatory Relief Act

Repeals certain Department of Education (ED) regulations that for purposes of determining whether a school is eligible to participate in programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA): (1) require institutions of higher education (IHEs) and postsecondary vocational institutions (except religious schools) to be legally authorized by the state in which they are situated, (2) delineate what such legal authorization requires of states and schools, (3) impose standards and disclosure requirements on programs that prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation, and (4) define "credit hour."

Prohibits ED from promulgating or enforcing any regulation or rule not in effect on the date of this Act's enactment regarding: (1) the state authorization for IHEs to operate within a state, (2) the definition or application of the term "gainful employment," or (3) a teacher preparation program accountability system. Ends that prohibition when a law is enacted that extends by at least two fiscal years the authorization or duration of one or more programs under the HEA.

Prohibits ED from promulgating or enforcing any regulation or rule that defines "credit hour" for any purpose under the HEA.

Prohibits ED from carrying out, developing, refining, promulgating, publishing, implementing, administering, or enforcing a postsecondary institution ratings system or any other performance system to rate IHEs.

Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the HEA to authorize nonprofit IHEs to make payments to third-party entities for services that include student recruitment and are based on the amount of tuition that the IHE generates from student enrollment if the third-party entity: (1) is not affiliated with the IHE, (2) does not provide incentive payments to its employees for their success in enrolling students or securing financial aid for them, (3) is not paid by the IHE solely or separately for student recruitment services, and (4) will not make student recruitment information available to any other person or entity.

supporting academic freedom regulatory relief act repeals certain department_of_education regulations purposes determining school eligible participate programs higher education act hea require institutions higher education ihes postsecondary vocational institutions religious schools legally authorized state situated delineate legal authorization requires states schools impose standards disclosure requirements programs prepare students gainful employment recognized occupation define credit hour prohibits_ed promulgating enforcing regulation rule effect date act enactment state authorization ihes operate state definition application term gainful employment teacher preparation program accountability system ends prohibition law enacted extends fiscal years authorization duration programs hea prohibits_ed promulgating enforcing regulation rule defines credit hour purpose hea prohibits_ed carrying developing refining promulgating publishing implementing administering enforcing postsecondary institution ratings system performance system rate ihes amends title student assistance hea authorize nonprofit ihes payments party entities services include student recruitment based tuition ihe generates student enrollment party entity affiliated ihe provide incentive payments employees success enrolling students securing financial aid paid ihe solely separately student recruitment services student recruitment information available person entity


Summary:
Access to Education and Training Act

Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow the Secretary of Education to award a student two Pell Grants during a single award year if the student is enrolled in an associate or baccalaureate degree or certificate program at an institution of higher education on at least a half-time basis for the equivalent of more than one academic year or more than two semesters during the Pell Grant award year.

Permits the total amount of Pell Grants awarded to such a student for the award year to exceed the maximum basic grant level specified in the appropriate appropriations Act for that award year.

access education training_act amends title student assistance higher education act allow secretary education award student pell_grants single award year student enrolled associate baccalaureate degree certificate program institution higher education half time basis equivalent academic year semesters pell grant award year permits total pell_grants awarded student award year exceed maximum basic grant level specified appropriate appropriations act award year


Summary:
Fairness in Student Loan Lending Act

Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to establish a program to refinance the unpaid principal, accrued unpaid interest, and late charges on: (1) the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans (DLs) of qualified borrowers if the DLs were first disbursed, or the application for their reissuance was received, before July 1, 2015, and (2) the Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL) of qualified borrowers as DLs. (FFELs were not disbursed after June 30, 2010.)

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

Sets the interest rate on the refinanced loans at the rate on high-yield 10-year Treasury notes plus 1%.

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

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

Imposes an administrative fee on the borrowers of such reissued loans that is based on the unpaid principal, and accrued unpaid interest and late charges, of their original loan.

Requires the Secretary to establish a program to refinance the unpaid principal, accrued unpaid interest, and late charges on private education loans as Federal Direct Refinanced Private Loans if the private education loans were first disbursed to qualified borrowers before July 1, 2015, and were for their own postsecondary educational expenses.

Sets the interest rate on Federal Direct Refinanced Private Loans at the rate on high-yield 10-year Treasury notes plus 1%.

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

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

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

Imposes an origination fee on the borrowers of Federal Direct Refinanced Private Loans.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require an individual taxpayer whose adjusted gross income exceeds $1 million to pay a minimum tax rate of 30% of the excess of the taxpayer's adjusted gross income over the taxpayer's modified charitable contribution deduction for the taxable year (tentative fair share tax). Establishes the amount of such tax as the excess (if any) of the tentative fair share tax over the excess of: (1) the sum of the taxpayer's regular tax liability, the alternative minimum tax (AMT) amount, and the payroll tax for the taxable year; over (2) certain tax credits. Provides for a phase-in of such tax. Requires an inflation adjustment to the $1 million income threshold for taxable years beginning after 2016.

Requires the Secretary to terminate this Act's refinancing programs when the net cost of carrying out the programs is equal to the Secretary's estimate of the amount of additional revenue generated during the 10-year period beginning on the date of this Act's enactment due to the fair share tax.

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

fairness student loan lending act amends title student assistance higher education act direct secretary education establish program refinance unpaid principal accrued unpaid interest late charges federal direct loans dls qualified borrowers dls disbursed application reissuance received july federal_family_education_loans ffel qualified borrowers dls ffels disbursed june refinances ffels federal_direct_stafford unsubsidized stafford plus depending categorization ffel consolidated_loan sets interest rate refinanced loans rate high yield year treasury notes plus fixes interest rate loans period loans directs secretary establish eligibility requirements based borrower income debt income ratio consideration providing access refinancing borrowers greatest financial need imposes administrative fee borrowers reissued loans based unpaid principal accrued unpaid interest late charges original loan requires secretary establish program refinance unpaid principal accrued unpaid interest late charges private education loans federal_direct_refinanced_private_loans private education loans disbursed qualified borrowers july postsecondary educational expenses sets interest rate federal_direct_refinanced_private_loans rate high yield year treasury notes plus fixes interest rate loans period loans directs secretary establish eligibility requirements based borrower income debt income ratio consideration providing access refinancing borrowers greatest financial need requires qualified borrowers loans undergo loan counseling private education loan refinanced imposes origination fee borrowers federal_direct_refinanced_private_loans amends internal revenue code require individual taxpayer adjusted gross income exceeds million pay minimum tax rate excess taxpayer adjusted gross income taxpayer modified charitable contribution deduction taxable year tentative fair share tax establishes tax excess tentative fair share tax excess sum taxpayer regular tax liability alternative minimum tax amt payroll tax taxable year certain tax credits provides phase tax requires inflation adjustment million income threshold taxable years beginning requires secretary terminate act refinancing programs net cost carrying programs equal secretary estimate additional revenue generated year period beginning date act enactment fair share tax revises federal bankruptcy law limit hardship exception exemption educational debts discharge bankruptcy educational benefit overpayment loan insured guaranteed governmental unit program funded governmental unit obligation repay funds received governmental unit educational benefit scholarship stipend


Summary:
Eliminating the Hidden Student Loan Tax Act

Expresses the sense of Congress that no origination fees should be charged on any future loans under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program. (Origination fees are the fees lenders charge for processing new loan applications.)

Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to repeal the Secretary of Education's authority to charge an origination fee on a Direct Loan first disbursed, or, in the case of a Direct Consolidation Loan, for which an application is received, on or after July 1, 2015.

eliminating hidden student loan tax act expresses sense congress origination fees charged future loans federal_direct_loan program origination fees fees lenders charge processing new loan applications amends title student assistance higher education act repeal secretary education authority charge origination fee direct loan disbursed case application received july


Summary:
Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act of 2015

Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make the following entities, programs, and courses eligible for funding under title IV if they are accredited by an authorized accreditation authority in a state that has an alternative accreditation agreement with the Secretary of Education:

 institutions that provide postsecondary courses; postsecondary apprenticeship programs; and postsecondary education courses or programs provided by institutions of postsecondary education, nonprofit organizations, or for-profit organizations or businesses. Lists the items to be included in a state's alternative accreditation agreement with the Secretary, including the standards those entities, programs, and courses must meet to receive and maintain their accreditation.

Requires that agreement to include the state's assurance that only entities, programs, and courses that provide credits toward a postsecondary certification, credential, or degree (as defined by the state in the agreement) will be accredited.

Establishes the formula for determining the administrative cost allowance for: (1) the entities, programs, and courses that are accredited through the alternative accreditation system and that administer the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Work-Study, and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant programs in accordance with the agreement; and (2) states that will administer those programs for such entities, programs, and courses in accordance with the agreement.

higher education reform opportunity act amends title student assistance higher education act following entities programs courses eligible funding title accredited authorized accreditation authority state alternative accreditation agreement secretary education institutions provide postsecondary courses postsecondary apprenticeship programs postsecondary education courses programs provided institutions postsecondary education nonprofit organizations profit organizations businesses lists items included state alternative accreditation agreement secretary including standards entities programs courses meet receive maintain accreditation requires agreement include state assurance entities programs courses provide credits postsecondary certification credential degree defined state agreement accredited establishes formula determining administrative cost allowance entities programs courses accredited alternative accreditation system administer federal pell grant federal perkins loan grant programs accordance agreement states administer programs entities programs courses accordance agreement