Legislative Tracker Archive: Quality & Accountability

Legislative TrackerOn this page, you'll find previous proposals that look to hold institutions or individuals responsible for their actions or performance. In addition, this page includes legislation impacting accreditation. Use these links to jump to a specific session of Congress. 


117th Session of Congress

 

S. 5155 — Proprietary Education Interagency Oversight Coordination Improvement Act

Sponsor: Sen. Durbin [D-IL]
Cosponsors: 3 (3D; 0R)
Introduced: 11/30/2022
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill establishes the Proprietary Education Interagency Oversight Coordination Committee which aims to improve the coordination of federal oversight of proprietary higher education institutions. This bill calls for the creation of a system that would allow students, parents, and other stakeholders to submit misconduct complaints against for-profit colleges. The bill also puts into place a measure that would require that the committee submit an annual report outlining enforcement actions taken from various federal agencies against those for-profit colleges. Additionally, the committee would also be responsible for creating and publishing a “For-ProfIt College Warning List for Parents and Students,” to aid students in making informed decisions in regards to what their options are for receiving post-secondary education. 

S.5072 — Student Protection and Success Act

Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen [D-NH]
Cosponsors: 1 (0D; 1R)
Introduced: 10/11/2022
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would increase higher education institutions’ accountability for their students’ ability to repay their loans. It would eliminate federal student loan eligibility from a college or university where their cohort repayment rate is equal to or less than 15 percent. This would apply to student borrowers who have not made a payment towards their principal balance in the following three years since graduating or leaving the school. The bill also outlines that if asked by ED, an institution may be required to pay a risk-sharing fee based on the total loan volume that their students are unable to repay to ED. The funds gathered from those fees would then be awarded by ED as grants to institutions that have a proven record of making college more affordable and accessible for low-income and moderate-income students. These grants are to be used to further enhance the institution’s capacity of serving its low and moderate income students by doing things such as awarding more need-based financial aid or expanding academic and student support services.

S.4912 — Make the Universities Pay Act 

Sponsor: Sen. Hawley [R-MO]
Cosponsors: 0 (0D; 0R)
Introduced: 09/27/2022
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would make higher education institutions liable to pay up to 50% of their student’s loan balance if they are in default. The bill would also make student loan debts dischargeable in bankruptcy under a few conditions. Institutions will also be required to submit a statistical analysis report to ED outlining measures of post-college graduate outcomes for the institution as a whole and data for each degree or program of study offered at the institution. 

H.R. 8961 — To abolish the Department of Education

Sponsor: Rep. Gohmert [R-TX]
Cosponsors: 1 (0D; 1R)
Introduced: 09/22/2022
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would abolish the Department of Education and terminate all applicable programs. This does not include the Federal Pell Grant program or the Federal Direct Loan Program. Funds, disbursed through a grant program created and run by the Department of Treasury, will be given directly to states to fund elementary and secondary education.  

S. 4795 — Fostering Postsecondary Success for Foster and Homeless Youth Act of 2022

Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow [D-MI]
Cosponsors: 1 (1D; 0R)
Introduced: 09/07/2022
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would authorize a program that would recognize institutions of higher education if they provide outstanding services and programs to foster and homeless youth. If recognized by ED, those institutions will be designated as “Foster and Homeless Youth Friendly.” To receive such recognition, institutions will need to submit an application to ED detailing the programs and services they provide, which can include things such as mentoring programs, academic support, housing assistance, and financial aid available exclusively to foster care youth and homeless youth, among others. 

S.4772 — COLLEGE Act

Sponsor: Sen. Scott (R-FL)
Cosponsors: 0 (0D; 0R)
Introduced: 08/04/2022
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would require institutions with large endowments who participate in federal financial aid programs to cover a percentage of the cost of attendance of each enrolled full-time student. The greater the endowment of the institution, the higher the percentage they will be required to cover. This bill would require that these institutions collect and submit data to the Department of Education relating to things such as cost of attendance, if the COA has increased throughout from the previous year, the amount of money in their endowment, and if the endowment has increased. The institutions will also be required to submit data to the Department for purposes of program integrity.

H.R.7727 — Accountability in Student Loan Data Act of 2022

Sponsor: Rep. Porter [D-CA] 
Cosponsors: 0 [0D; 0R]
Introduced: 05/11/2022
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would alter how cohort default rates (measure of student loan defaulters within a time period) are derived, and penalizes institutions with a certain percentage of graduates who default on their federal loans.

H.R.7461 — CBE Act of 2022

Sponsor: Rep. Grothman [R-WI]
Cosponsors: 4 (0D; 4R)
Introduced: 04/07/2022
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would further define competency-based education to mean education that measures academic progress and attainment by direct assessment of a student’s level of mastery and/or by expressing a student’s level of mastery in terms of clock or credit hours. 

S.3952 — Student Right to Know Before You Go Act of 2022

Sponsor: Sen. Wyden [D-OR]
Cosponsors: 2 (1D; 1R)
Introduced: 03/30/2022
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would facilitate the creation of a "Higher Education Data System." In addition to all current IPEDS metrics, this system would collect data, such as the percentage of students receiving federal, state, institutional and private loans and grants, student completion rates, mean and median Federal loan debt, loan repayment rates at 2-, 6-, and 15-year intervals, information on transfer students, and drop percentages. The data would also look at different student groups such as, enrollment status, veteran status, Pell Grant status, gender, age, and first-generation status. 

H.R.7150 — Not Titled: Foreign Support for Institutions

Sponsor: Rep. Banks [R-IN]
Cosponsors: 0
Introduced: 03/18/2022
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would require institutions to disclose when they receive a gift or enters into a contract with a foreign source, for an amount or value of more than $50,000. 

H.R.7141 — College Completion Fund Act of 2022

Sponsor: Rep. Stansbury [D-NM]
Cosponsors: 2 (2D; 0R)
Introduced: 03/17/2022
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would create a grant program aimed at providing funds to public institutions to support student services. The funds would be primarily used to support students from low-income backgrounds, first-generation college students, parenting students, and other historically underrepresented student populations. The funds would be made available to States, and then institutions would apply for the grant from the state they are located in. 

H.R.6666/S.3616— Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act of 2022

Sponsor: Rep. Clark [D-MA]
Cosponsors: 1 (0D; 1R)
Introduced: 02/09/2022
Sponsor: Sen. Murray [D-WA]
Cosponsors: 1 (0D; 1R)
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would require institutions of higher education to develop a plan to assist and give priority to homeless and foster youth for any on-campus housing during and between academic terms. It would also require institutions to prioritize homeless and foster youth in Federal Work-Study positions and provide a means for students to access institutionally owned or operated housing if a student is temporarily unable to meet financial obligations related to housing. 

 

H.R.5103 — Quality Higher Education Act of 2021

Sponsor: Rep. Wilson [D-FL]
Cosponsors: 14 (14D; 0R)
Introduced: 08/24/2021
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would initiate a negotiated rulemaking session to establish rules and regulations that an accreditation agency or association must follow when an institution of higher education in their jurisdiction fails to meet their accreditation standards. The rulemaking session would also establish standards that shall be used by all accreditation agencies or associations, such as standards for student completion rates and workforce participation. It would also require accreditors to be more transparent about how they evaluate schools.

S.2593 — GIFTs in Higher Education Act

Sponsor: Sen. Rubio [R-FL]
Cosponsors: 1 (0D; 1R)
Introduced: 08/03/2021
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would hold institutions accountable for gifts or donations received from foreign adversaries, under Section 117 of the HEA. The bill would expand Section 117 disclosure requirements​​ to include faculty, professional staff and all staff engaged in research and development in addition to institutions of higher education and would require gifts and contracts from certain sources to be disclosed within 30 days if valued at $50,000 or more in a calendar year.  


H.R.4596 — Student Records Protection Act

Sponsor: Rep. Cartwright [D-PA]
Cosponsors: 5 (3D; 2R)
Introduced: 07/21/2021
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would require colleges and universities to establish record-management plans in order to be eligible for accreditation. These record management plans would be designed to provide for the custody and continued access of student records, including student transcripts, billing, and financial aid records. 

S.2054  — Partnerships for Affordability and Student Success Act

Sponsor: Sen. Jack Reed [D-RI]
Cosponsors: 1 (1R)
Introduced: 06/15/2021
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would amend the Higher Education Act (HEA) to reestablish a federal-state partnership aimed at increasing need-based student aid, providing institutional grants to improve student outcomes and reduce college costs, and build public accountability for higher education institutions. In order to receive the federal investment, states would need to maintain their investment in higher education and have a comprehensive plan for postsecondary education with measurable goals for access, affordability, and student outcomes. 

S.2237 — Community College Student Success Act of 2021 

Sponsor: Sen. Schatz [D-HI]
Cosponsors: 1 (1D)
Introduced: 06/24/2021
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would authorize $10 billion in grant funding for the planning and execution of comprehensive wraparound support services for full-time community college students including free tutoring, textbooks, and transportation. An additional $5 billion would be authorized to offer these same services to part-time students as well. These resources would be designed to increase the graduation rates and transfer rates to 4-year institutions. 

S.2301 — College Equity Act of 2021

Sponsor: Sen. Schatz [D-HI]
Cosponsors: 4 (4D)
Introduced: 06/24/2021
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would offer colleges and universities funding to address disparities in higher education recruitment, admissions, and support. If enacted, this bill would provide funding for institutions to examine how institutional practices contribute to achievement gaps, create grants for institutions to develop and execute plans to address these findings, and encourage sharing of these findings with higher education accreditation agencies.

S.1719 — Fast Track To and Through College Act

Sponsor: Sen. Hassan [D-NH]
Cosponsors:
Introduced: 05/19/2021
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would increase rates of college completion and reduce college costs by accelerating time to degree, aligning secondary and postsecondary education, and improving postsecondary credit transfer. More specifically, this bill would establish a competitive grant program for states to create a comprehensive early college strategy that aligns secondary and postsecondary course work, improves postsecondary credit transfer, and allows federal Pell Grants to cover dual-enrollment costs for low-income students enrolled in a fast track program.

H.R.2700 — For-Profit College Conversion Accountability Act

Sponsor: Rep. McBath [D-GA]
Cosponsors: 2
Introduced: 04/20/2021 
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill outlines the process and strengthens accountability measures for converting a proprietary (for-profit) institution of higher education to a nonprofit institution of higher education.

H.R.2106 — To terminate the Department of Education.

Sponsor: Rep. Rouzer [R-NC]
Cosponsors: 1
Introduced: 03/19/2021
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would terminate the Department of Education. 

H.R.2048/S.848 — Consider Teachers Act of 2021

Sponsor: Del. Norton Holmes [D-DC]
Cosponsors: 0
Introduced: 03/18/2021
Sponsor: Sen. Braun [R-IN]
Cosponsors: 3
Introduced: 03/18/2021
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would create a process for TEACH grant recipients to initiate a “reconsideration of conversation decision”, in the case that their TEACH grant was turned into a federal loan because the Department of Education determined that the recipient failed to comply with the TEACH service obligation. If the conversion to a loan was completed unjustly, the bill requires that ED reinstate the recipients grant, discharge any fees or interest that may have accumulated, refund any loan payments made, or apply those payments to other outstanding direct loans if applicable, and request that consumer reporting agencies remove any negative credit reporting. The bill would also extend the service obligation time period to 8 years for recipients who had their grants changed to loans unfairly. 

H.R.1912 — Keep College Students Learning Act

Sponsor: Rep. Davis [R-IL]
Cosponsors: 0
Introduced: 03/16/2021
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would allow students who are set to attend college in the upcoming semester and who are received a scholarship or financial aid from that college, to have the ability to hold off on attending for up to an academic year if that college is not offering in-person instruction at the same levels as the Fall 2019 semester, and keep their aid for when the student does return to campus for in-person classes. 

H.R.1222/S.383 — POST Act of 2021

Sponsor: Rep. Cohen [D-TN] 
Cosponsors: 3
Introduced: 02/23/2021
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin [D-IL]
Cosponsors: 9
Introduced: 02/23/2021
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would prohibit for-profit colleges and universities from receiving more than 85 percent of their revenue from the federal government and change the calculation of federal revenue to include all federal funds, including Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill and Department of Defense Tuition Assistance benefits.


H.R.899 — To terminate the Department of Education.

Sponsor: Rep. Massie [R-KY]
Cosponsors: 8
Introduced: 02/05/2021
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would terminate the Department of Education. 

 

116th Session of Congress

 

S.5033 - Satisfactory Academic Progress Reset and Reform Act

Sponsor: Sen. Booker [D-NJ]
Cosponsors: 0
Introduced: 12/16/2020
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill aims to support college students so they meet satisfactory academic progress requirements so they can continue to receive Federal student aid and persist in college as well as allow students who had lost access to Federal student aid due to previously failing to meet satisfactory academic progress requirements to become eligible again for Federal student aid after 2 years away from college.

 

S.4979 - A bill to terminate the Department of Education.

Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Cosponsors: 0
Introduced: 12/08/2020
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would terminate the Department of Education.

 

H.R.8552 - Student Records Protection Act

Sponsor: Rep. Cartwright [D-PA]
Cosponsors: 2 (2D; 0R)
Introduced: 10/09/2020
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would require institutions to create record-management plans in the event of the school planning to cease operations in order to be accredited or continue to be accredited. The school would need to include a plan for custody, continued access, and disposition of student records, including student transcripts, billing, and financial aid records. 

 

H.R.7170 - America FIRST Act

Sponsor: Rep. Hern [R-OK] 
Cosponsors: 22 (0D; 22R)
Introduced: 06/11/2020
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill requires that any institution disclose a gift from or enters into a contract with a foreign source, the value of which is $50,000 or more.

H.R.6814 / S.3701 - Supporting Connectivity for Higher Education Students in Need Act

Sponsor: Rep. Eshoo [D-CA] 
Cosponsors: 11 (11D; 0R)
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar [D-MN]
Cosponsors: 10 (9D; 1R)
Introduced: 05/12/2020
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bicameral bill would require the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, to promulgate regulations to provide support to institutions of higher education for the provision of certain equipment and services to students of those institutions. This bill prioritizes support for HBCUs, HSIs, MSIs, TCUs, and RSI students who are eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant, need based financial aid, low-income, and first generation. Eligible equipment consists of a laptop, tablet computer, modem, router, device that combines a modem and a router, and a wifi hotspot. Eligible service means broadband internet access service and video conferencing systems used for distance learning.

H.R.6651 / S.3589 - Use Your Endowment Act

Sponsor: Rep. Cline [R-VA]
Cosponsors: 2 (0D; 2R)
Introduced: 05/01/2020
Sponsor: Sen. Hawley [R-MO]
Cosponsors: 5 (0D; 5R)
Introduced: 05/04/2020
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill deems certain institutions of higher education (IHEs) ineligible to receive certain emergency relief funds to address the coronavirus (i.e., the virus that causes COVID-19). Specifically, an IHE with an endowment greater than $10 billion in 2019 is generally ineligible to receive such funds and must return any funds it received to the Department of Education (ED). However, such an IHE may receive and keep these funds if it provides documentation to ED that it expended 1,000% of the amount of the funds on emergency relief. 

 

H.R.5784 - Supporting Minority STEM Student to Career Act

Sponsor: Rep. Fudge [D-OH]
Cosponsors: 1 (0D; 1R)
Introduced: 2/06/2020
NASFAA Summary: This bill would update the Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program to allow institutions to give scholarships to underrepresented population students pursuing degrees in a STEM program. The bill would also allow institutions to use the grant funds to support students through direct financial assistance or by improving the institutions ability to provide services such as academic advising, summer bridge program, or work-based learning opportunities.

 

S.3149H.R.5620 - TRUE EQUITY Act

Sponsor: Sen. Cardin [D-MD]
Cosponsors: 1 (1D; 0R)
Introduced: 1/06/2020
Sponsor: Rep. Trone [D-MD]
Cosponsors: 2 (2D; 0R)
Introduced: 1/15/2020
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: The bicameral bill, the True Equity Act, aims to strengthen federal, state and local educational partnerships. To address college and career readiness, the bill would fund and create a new grant up to $50 million which would improve upon preexisting state and local efforts to ensure that students have access to college and career pathways by tenth grade. The bill also addresses early childhood education and support for additional teacher training.

S.3114 - 90/10 Accountability for All Act

Sponsor: Sen. Enzi [R-WY]
Cosponsors: 0
Introduced: 12/19/2019
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would require that all institutions of higher education, not only proprietary institutions, have to meet the current 90/10 revenue regulations. 

H.R.5294 - Student Borrower Protections Act of 2019

Sponsor: Rep. Adams [D-NC]
Cosponsors: 0
Introduced: 12/04/2019
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would amend the Truth in Lending Act to establish a student borrower bill of rights. The new borrower bill of rights would include minimum standards for all loan transactions, improving disclosures, requiring accurate and timely repayment resources and options. The bill would also create standards for loan servicers reporting student loan information to the consumer reporting agencies.

H.R.5241 / S.2925 - Protecting Students from Worthless Degrees Act

Sponsor: Rep. Krishnamoorthi [D-IL]
Cosponsors: 0
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley [D-OR]
Cosponsors: 1 (1D; 0R)
Introduced: 11/21/2019
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would require programs offered by an institution designed to lead to a recognized occupation or profession that requires licensing or other requirements to meet any federal or state accreditation and licensing requirements. The bill also adds additional certification requirements for gainful employment (GE) programs, including ensuring the GE program is approved by a recognized accrediting agency (either institutionally or programmatically depending on if programmatic accreditation is required by a Federal or state entity) and prohibiting a GE program that is substantially similar to a program that in any of the three years prior became ineligible (or was failing or in the zone) due to the debt to earning rates at the same institution.

H.R.4977 - Higher Education Funds Integrity Act

Sponsor: Rep. Phillips [D-MN]
Cosponsors: 0
Introduced: 11/01/2019
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would prohibit Title IV federal funds to be used to pay any person to influence, or attempt to influence an employee of any federal agency or a member of Congress or any Congress-affiliated employees. Hiring a registered lobbyist with the use of federal aid funds would also be prohibited. 

H.R.4950 - CTE Outcome Data Enactment Act of 2019

Sponsor: Rep. Budd [R-NC]
Cosponsors: 1 (0D; 1R)
Introduced: 10/31/2019
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would require the Department of Education to conduct a study on Federal data collection related to student participation and performance in career and technical programs. The study would look at the effectiveness of the Federal collection of data to identify any gaps or areas of duplication of effort, or methods to improve reporting efforts. 

 

H.R.4724 / S.2640 - Students Not Profits Act of 2019

Sponsor: Rep. Jayapal [D-WA] 
Cosponsors: 7 (7D; 0R)
Sponsor: Sen. Brown [D-OH] 
Cosponsors: 1 (1D; 0R)
Introduced: 10/17/2019
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would remove for-profit institutions from the definition of an institution of higher education and references to for-profit institutions from the HEA, making them ineligible to receive Federal student aid. 

 

H.R.4662 - Accountability in Student Loan Data Act

Sponsor: Rep. Porter [D-CA]
Cosponsors: 1 (1D; 0R)
Introduced: 10/11/2019
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would change the way the Department of Education calculates institutional cohort default rates. It would also install penalties for institutions with a high percentage of graduates who are unable to pay their loans. 

 

H.R.4615 - Stop College Closures Act of 2019

Sponsor: Rep. Shalala [D-FL]
Cosponsors: 10 (8D; 2R)
Introduced: 10/04/2019
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would require higher education institution accreditation agencies to do more to prevent institutions from closing abruptly. It would require an institution to submit and receive approval for a teach-out plan if ED becomes aware of any negative factors pointing to the institution’s financial wellness.

 

H.R.4579 - Quality Higher Education Act of 2019

Sponsor: Rep. Wilson [D-FL]
Cosponsors: 0
Introduced: 9/27/2019
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: The Quality Higher Education Act would require ED to initiate a negotiated rulemaking process to create consequences, as well as a process for accrediting agencies if an institution in their jurisdiction fails to meet accreditation standards. ED would also be required to create a list of standards that accrediting agencies will use, including standard metrics for completion and workforce participation and how to measure those metrics. 

S.2559 - Student Training and Education Metrics Act of 2019

Sponsor: Sen. Scott [R-FL]
Cosponsors: 0
Introduced: 9/26/2019
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would create institutional risk-sharing for institutions that participate in the Federal Direct loan program. The risk-sharing would be based on loan default by calculating the total cohort loan balance for a fiscal year and from that deducing which percentage of that population have gone into default in the 3 consecutive years since their loans entered repayment. The amount the institution would be responsible for paying for the first year after enactment would be 1% of the cohort non-repayment balance, the second through the ninth year, the institutions would be responsible for 2% and in years 10 and later, 10%. 

H.R.4497 - Protecting Student Aid (PSA) Act of 2019

Sponsor: Rep. Shalala [D-FL]
Cosponsors: 5 (5D; 0R)
Introduced: 9/25/2019
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would codify the Student Aid Enforcement Unit that lives within the Department of Education and would mandate that the Unite better respond to fraud and abuse within the federal student aid programs. 

H.R.4475 - Higher Education Student Protection Act

Sponsor: Rep. Malinowski [D-NJ]
Cosponsors: 0
Introduced: 9/24/2019
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: The Higher Education Student Protection Act would hold all institutions of higher education accountable for spending disproportionately on advertising, marketing, recruitment, and lobbying relative to actual instruction. Institutions would be required to report to IPEDS how much they are spending on those items. The system would then flag any institutions who are spending less than 1/3 of their revenue from tuition and fees on instruction. Institutions could be subject to losing access to Title IV funds. 

H.R.4424 - Elevation of the Education Profession Act

Sponsor: Rep. Sablan [D-MP]
Cosponsors: (0) 
Introduced: 9/19/2019
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would create an advisory committee at the US Department of Education made up of teacher unions, state and local officials, school administrator organizations, institutions of higher education, and others, to produce a comprehensive set of expectations that sets a high bar for entry into the profession and ensures that all entering teachers and school leaders are profession-ready.

H.R.4380 - Transparency for Transfer Students Act

Sponsor: Rep. Castro [D-TX]
Cosponsors: 1 (0D; 1R)
Introduced: 9/18/2019
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: The Transparency for Transfer Students Act would require institutions of higher education to disclose in an easy to find location on their website an explanation of all articulation agreements they may have with another institution, and a list of transfer-related resources, such as deadlines and financial aid information. 

H.R.4343 - FACT Act of 2019

Sponsor: Rep. Trahan [D-MA]
Cosponsors: 4 (2D; 2R)
Introduced: 9/17/2019
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: The FACT Act of 2019 is a bipartisan bill created to bring some standardization to financial aid offer forms by mandating the use of standard terms and definitions, as well as requiring institutions to include a "quick reference box" allowing students to quickly compare aid offers. The bill would direct the Department of Education (ED) to conduct consumer testing that establishes standardized definitions and groupings of aid type and determines any additional elements that should be included in financial aid offers. The FACT Act includes the addition of a mandatory "quick reference box" that must be included on the first page of financial aid offers, and would be developed through consumer testing by the ED. The box would feature three data elements that would allow students to quickly compare aid offers, including cost of attendance, total grants and scholarships offered, and net price. 

H.R.4216 - Strengthening Financial Aid for Students Act (Strengthening FAFSA)

Sponsor: Rep. Delgado [D-NY]
Cosponsors: 3 (1D; 2R)
Introduced: 8/30/2019
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would increase financial support for students who are working while attending school. The Strengthening FAFSA Act calls for an increase in Pell Grant lifetime eligibility usage, from 6 years or 12 semesters, to 7 years or 14 semesters. It would also increase the Income Protection Allowance (IPA) by 35 percent. 

 

H.R.4206 - Student and Taxpayer Protection Act

Sponsor: Rep. Takano [D-CA]
Cosponsors: 1 (1D; 0R)
Introduced: 8/23/2019
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would reinstate Obama-era gainful employment (GE) regulations that the Department of Education (ED) eliminated last month. The bill proposes that ED revive the practice of tying Title IV eligibility for non-degree-granting programs to their students’ ability to repay their loan debt, or their debt-to-earnings ratios.

 

H.R.4098 - Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act of 2019

Sponsor: Rep. Rooney [R-FL]
Cosponsors: 2 (0D; 2R)
S.2339
Sponsor: Sen. Lee [R-UT]
Cosponsors: 1 (1R; 0D)
Introduced: 7/30/2019
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill, introduced as companion bills in the House and Senate, would change accreditation rules that would allow any accrediting agency that has an "alternative accreditation agreement" with the Department of Ed to grant accreditation to any postsecondary education program that could be applied to a degree, credential or professional certificate. The bill would also change state accreditation rules to allow flexibility in determining clock-hour and minimum program length requirements for federal student aid eligibility. All undergraduate students regardless of grade level would be able to borrow up to $7,500 each year in federal student loans, for an aggregate amount of $30,000. The Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act would eliminate loan forgiveness.

 

H.R.4089 - Second Chance for Students Act

Sponsor: Rep. Foster [D-IL]
Cosponsors: 4 (4D; 0R)
Introduced: 7/26/2019
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would allow students convicted of marijuana possession to retain eligibility for six months on the condition they complete an approved drug rehabilitation program and two unannounced drug tests, instead of immediately losing eligibility until the completion of rehabilitation as it stands now.

 

H.R.3921 - Protecting Academic Integrity Act of 2019

Sponsor: Rep. Perry [R-PA]
Cosponsors: (0)
Introduced: 7/23/2019
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would require institutions to disclose any gifts from and/or contracts with a foreign source above $50,000 to the Department of Education. Currently the value at which an institution must disclose a gift or contract is $250,000.

 

H.R.3891 - Making Education Affordable and Accessible Act

Sponsor: Rep. Harder [D-CA]
Cosponsors: 3 (2R; 1D)
Introduced: 7/23/2019
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would authorize the Department of Education to award grants to institutions of higher education to support and/or develop dual enrollment programs.

 

S.2124 - Skin in the Game Act

Sponsor: Sen. Hawley [R-MO]
Cosponsors: (0)
Introduced: 7/16/2019
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: The Skin in the Game Act would require institutions to pay back repay a portion of the loan balance of students who are unable to repay their debt. The bill would require institutions to pay 50% of the balance of student loans accrued while attending their institution for students who default. The bill would also forbid institutions from increasing the cost of attendance to offset the liability.

 

H.R.3662 - Relief for Defrauded Students Act of 2019

Sponsor: Rep. McBath [D-GA]
Cosponsors: 7 (7D; 0R)
Introduced: 7/10/2019
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: The Relief for Defrauded Students Act would allow students to receive loan forgiveness if they were misled by an institution, and make the borrower defense rule permanent. If the Department of Education approves the borrower defense to repayment appeal, ED must cancel all remaining loan balances, and return any amount the borrower has already paid on the loan.

 

H.R.3179 - Protecting Our Students and Taxpayers (POST) Act of 2019

Sponsor: Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN]
Cosponsors: 3 (0 R; 3 D)
Introduced: 6/10/2019
S.1775
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Cosponsors: 8 (0 R; 7 D; 1 I)
Introduced: 6/11/2019
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This measure prohibits institutions from using federal education funds, including Title IV and VA benefit dollars, for marketing, advertising, or recruiting.

 

H.R.3112 - For-Profit Fraud Act

Sponsor: Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA]
Cosponsors: 0
Introduced: 6/05/2019
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would restore the 85/15 ratio for proprietary institutions from the current 90/10 rule.

 

S.1153 - Stop Student Debt Relief Scams Act of 2019

Sponsor: Sen. Baldwin (D-WI)
Cosponsors: 3 (2 R; 1 D)
Introduced: 4/11/2019
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would attempt to end the misuse of borrower information used to commit criminal acts. The bill would add language to the HEA that would inform borrowers that the services offered by "phone scam" operators are available free of charge through ED.

 

S.968 - Protect Student Borrowers Act of 2019

Sponsor: Sen. Reed (D-RI)
Cosponsors: 3 (0 R; 3 D)
Introduced: 4/01/2019
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would implement institutional risk-sharing in the Federal student loan program by mandating that institutions who have 33 percent of more of their enrolled students participating in the student loan program to make a payment depending on the percentage of those students who are in default. The determinations for the amount to be paid vary anywhere between 5 to 20 percent of the total amount of the dollars in default.

 

H.R.1672 - Free Right to Expression in Education Act

Sponsor: Rep. Rooney (R-FL)
Co-Sponsors: 0 (0 R; 0 D)
Introduced: 3/11/2019
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would prohibit public institutions (as part of the program participation agreement (PPA)) from restricting expressive activities, such as through so-called "free speech zones."

 

H.R.899 - To terminate the Department of Education.

Sponsor: Rep. Massie (R-KY)
Co-Sponsors: 11 (11 R; 0 D)
Introduced: 1/30/2019
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This brief bill would eliminate the Department of Education, effective December 31, 2020. The bill does not describe what would happen to the federal student aid programs.

115th Session of Congress

 

Protecting Financial Aid for Students and Taxpayers Act
HR 7303 Sponsor:
Rep. Grijalva (D-AZ)
Co-Sponsors:
0 (0 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
12/13/2018 
S. 3762 Sponsor:
Sen. Brown (D-OH)
Co-Sponsors:
4 (0 R; 4 D)
Introduced:
12/17/2018
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This measure prohibits institutions from using federal education funds, including Title IV and VA benefit dollars, for marketing, advertising, or recruiting. 
 
Student Rights Act
HR 7229 Sponsor:
Rep. Brat (R-VA)
Co-Sponsors:
7 (7 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
12/10/2018 
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would impose several "expressive activity" requirements on public insitutions. 
 
PRO Students Act 
HR 7112 Sponsor:
Rep. Takano (D-CA)
Co-Sponsors:
2 (0 R; 2 D)
Introduced:
10/30/2018 
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This comprehensive bill, the Protections and Regulation for Our (PRO) Students Act, changes the 90/10 Rule back to 85/15 for proprietary institutions, prohibits institutions from using federal student aid funds for marketing, advertising, or recruiting, establishes an interagency committee to examine the for-profit sector, launches a complaint tracking system for students, improves access to particular pieces of consumer information, prohibits incentive compensation based on recruitment or academic success, among other things. 
 
College Affordability and Innovation Act 
HR 6947 Sponsor:
Rep. Himes (D-CT)
Co-Sponsors:
0 (0 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
9/27/2018 
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would create a pilot program to promote innovation in higher education through innovative program design at the postsecondary and graduate levels. The goal of these programs would be to decrease the cost and time required for students to complete postsecondary or graduate certificate or degree programs while receiving a quality education. This bill would allow ED to award 5-year grants to up to 15 institutions of higher education. The bill also allows ED to waive certain provisions of the HEA if they would inhibit these institutions from operating their innovative education programs. 
 
Aim Higher Act
HR 6543 Sponsor:
Rep. Scott (D-VA)
Co-Sponsors:
57 (0 R; 57 D)
Introduced:
7/26/2018 
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: The Aim Higher Act is a comprehensive Higher Education Act (HEA) reauthorization bill with notable changes to the federal student aid programs. 
 
REDUCE Act
HR 5916 Sponsor:
Rep. Reed (R-NY)
Co-Sponsors:
0 (0 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
5/22/2018
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill, the Reducing Excessive Debt and Unfair Costs of Education (REDUCE) Act, would impose a tax on the "wealthiest" institutions of higher education (defined as those with an aggregate endowment asset value of at least $500,000 per student) that fail to direct 25 percent of endowment growth value toward grants for "working-family students" (defined as those with a household income below 600 percent of the poverty line) each year. The bill would allocate tax receipts from this provision into the Federal Pell Grant Program. The legislation would require certain institutions to report cost of attendance and grant information for "working-family students," and would add additional consumer information disclosures around endowment management, institutional aid, major donor gifts, and legacy status to the College Navigator.
 
Puerto Rico Higher Education Disaster Relief Act
HR 5850 Sponsor:
Rep. Gonzalez-Colon (R-PR)
Co-Sponsors:
0 (0 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
5/16/2018
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This piece of legislation would waive the 90-10 rule for proprietary institutions impacted by Hurricanes Irma or Maria. The waiver would apply to for-profit institutions located in major disaster areas during Hurricanes Irma or Maria (as determined by the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act), and would be in effect from FY 2018 through FY 2020.
 
ALERT Act
S. 2431 Sponsor:
Sen. Peters (D-MI)
Co-Sponsors:
2 (1 R; 1 D)
Introduced:
2/15/2018
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill, the Accountability of Leaders in Education to Report Title IX Investigations (ALERT) Act, amends program participation agreement (PPA) requirements to require institutions to submit an annual certification to the Secretary of Education affirming the "president of the institution (or the equivalent officer) and not less than 1 additional member of the institution's board of trustees (or a designee of the board) have completed a comprehensive review of any incident involving a covered employee that was reported to the title IX coordinator at that institution in the previous 12 months." 
 
Free Right to Expression in Education Act
S. 2394 Sponsor:
Sen. Hatch (R-UT)
Co-Sponsors:
0 (0 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
2/7/2018
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would prohibit public institutions (as part of the program participation agreement (PPA)) from restricting expressive activities, such as through so-called "free speech zones." 
 
Student Protection and Success Act
S. 2231 Sponsor:
Sen. Shaheen (D-NH)
Co-Sponsors:
1 (1 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
12/14/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would create a system of penalties and incentives based on Direct Loan repayment rates, which would replace default rates effective fiscal year 2022. The bill would also institute risk-sharing payments based on nonrepayment loan balances. Schools with a cohort repayment rate <15% lose eligibility to participate in Direct Loans and Pell Grants for that fiscal year and 2 succeeding fiscal years. Schools with cohort repayment rates >25%, a strong record of affordability and increasing access and success for low-income and moderate-income students could receive grants to support reforms to further increase that access and success. Uses include: (1) Awarding additional need-based financial aid to Pell-eligible students; (2) Enhancing academic and student support services; and (3) Establishing or expanding accelerated learning opportunities. Incentive grants would be funded with risk-sharing payments.
       
Protecting Students from Worthless Degrees Act
HR 4658 Sponsor:
Rep. Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) 
Co-Sponsors:
1 (0 R; 1 D)
Introduced:
12/14/2017 
S. 3371 Sponsor:
Sen. Merkley (D-OR) 
Co-Sponsors:
1 (0 R; 1 D)
Introduced:
8/23/2018 
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would require programs offered by an institution designed to lead to a recognized occupation or profession that requires licensing or other requirements to meet any federal or state accreditation and licensing requirements. The bill also adds additional certification requirements for gainful employment (GE) programs, including ensuring the GE program is approved by a recognized accrediting agency (either institutionally or programmatically depending on if programmatic accreditation is required by a Federal or state entity) and prohibiting a GE program that is substantially similar to a program that in any of the three years prior became ineligible (or was failing or in the zone) due to the debt to earning rates at the same institution. 
 
ASPIRE Act
S. 2201 Sponsor:
Sen. Coons (D-DE)
Co-Sponsors:
1 (1 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
12/6/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would fine the bottom five percent of institutions based on percentages of enrolled first time, full time Pell Grant recipients and use the funds to reward institutions with competitive funds to increase access and success efforts. Additionally, the bottom five percent of institutions based on six-year graduation rates would risk paying a penalty before eventually losing Title IV eligibility or schools can opt-in to the bill's completion standards. 
 
PROSPER Act
HR 4508 Sponsor:
Rep. Foxx (R-NC) 
Co-Sponsors:
21 (21 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
12/1/2017 
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: The Promoting Real Opportunity, Success, and Prosperity through Education Reform (PROSPER) Act is a comprehensive Higher Education Act (HEA) reauthorization bill with notable changes to the federal student aid programs. 
Status: 12/13/2017: Passed House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce
 
Military and Veterans Education Protection Act
S. 2109 Sponsor:
Sen. Carper (D-DE)
Co-Sponsors:
33 (0 R; 31 D; 2 I)
Introduced:
11/9/2017
HR 4632 Sponsor:
Rep. Speier (D-CA)
Co-Sponsors:
2 (1 R; 1 D)
Introduced:
12/12/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This measure would count military tuition assistance and veterans' education benefits as federal aid for the purpose of calculations under the 90/10 Rule for proprietary institutions.
       
College Completion and Success Act
HR 4336 Sponsor:
Rep. Lewis (R-MN)
Co-Sponsors:
4 (4 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
11/9/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This piece of legislation would significantly change the return of Title IV funds (R2T4) process when a student withdraws from school during a payment period. The bill would simplify certain aspects of the calculation, narrow the definition of "schools that are required to take attendance," and restore some discretion to schools in paying post-withdrawal disbursements. It would change the order of distribution of returned funds, increase the amount that must be returned in most cases, and shift responsibility for repaying unearned funds to the institution. The bill would also require a more defined distinction between changing enrollment status as opposed to withdrawing in the case of modules.
       
Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act
HR 4274 Sponsor:
Rep. DeSantis (R-FL)
Co-Sponsors:
32 (32 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
11/7/2017
S. 2228 Sponsor:
Sen. Lee (R-UT)
Co-Sponsors:
0 (0 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
12/13/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would allow states to accredit any institution that provides postsecondary education (including courses and programs) that can be applied to a degree, credential, or professional certification; this state-level accreditation would make an institution eligible to participate in the federal student aid programs. The bill would also require institutions to publish a variety of enrollment, graduation, and repayment figures with compliance monitored by an independent third party contracted by the state in which the institution is located, not by the Department of Education. The bill would eliminate all loan forgiveness programs for new loans made on or after 6 months following the date of enactment. Finally, the bill would fine institutions based on default rate. An institution's fine would be 10 percent of the difference between the amount of defaulted loans made, insured, or guaranteed in the fiscal year and the product of the amount of defaulted loans and the national unemployment rate. Institutions would receive a $400 credit against the fine for each Pell Grant recipient who graduates. 
       
POST Act
HR 4181 Sponsor:
Rep. Cohen (D-TN)
Co-Sponsors:
0 (0 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
10/31/2017
S. 2037 Sponsor:
Sen. Durbin (D-IL)
Co-Sponsors:
6 (0 R; 6 D)
Introduced:
10/31/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This comprehensive bill changes the 90/10 Rule back to 85/15 for proprietary institutions and expands the definition of federal funds to include any federal financial assistance provided under this Act or any other Federal law through a grant, contract, subsidy, loan, guarantee, insurance, or other means to a proprietary institution, including federal financial assistance that is disbursed or delivered to an institution or on behalf of a student or to a student to be used to attend the institution. 
       
Protect Student Borrowers Act
S. 2028 Sponsor:
Sen. Reed (D-RI)
Co-Sponsors:
3 (0 R; 3 D)
Introduced:
10/26/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill establishes an institutional risk-sharing system where institutions would be required to assume some of the financial risk of student loan default based on the percentage of their graduates and former students who default on their loans. Institutions would be required to submit a risk-sharing payment to the federal government if the school's cohort default rate (CDR) is higher than 15 percent. The payment can be reduced by implementing a "student loan management plan" or by the discretion of the Secretary of Education. The bill would apply only to institutions with a Direct Loan program participation rate higher than 33%. 
       
CAMPUS HATE Crimes Act
HR 4093 Sponsor:
Rep. Brown (D-MD)
Co-Sponsors:
39 (0 R; 39 D)
Introduced:
10/23/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill, the Creating Accountability Measures Protecting University Students Historically Abused, Threatened, and Exposed to (CAMPUS HATE) Crimes Act, would require institutions participating in the federal student aid programs to certify to the Secretary of Education that the institution has adopted and has implemented a program to prevent and adequately respond to hate crimes within the jurisdiction of the institution or by students and employees. Institutions would be required to distribute hate crime information to students annually and to develop hate crime prevention and response programs. In addition, the bill would create a competitive grant program to support hate crime prevention initiatives at institutions. 
       
AIM Act
HR 4029 Sponsor:
Rep. Speier (D-CA)
Co-Sponsors:
3 (2 R; 1 D)
Introduced:
10/12/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill, the Accurate Income Measure (AIM) Act, would require the Secretary to revise the gainful employment regulations to provide for the development and implementation of a percentage increase in the mean or median aggregate earnings of graduates of specific, covered programs to reasonably account for underreporting of earned income by the programs graduates. In addition, the bill would modify the Alternate Earnings appeal process to include a new appeal based upon the most current Bureau of Labor Statistics earnings data for the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code, or combination of SOC codes, in which more than 50% of the students in the measured cohort were placed or found employment. The bill's "covered programs" would include all barbering, cosmetology, nail, esthetics, holistic health, and massage therapy programs.
       
Innovation in Accreditation Act
HR 3869 Sponsor:
Rep. Byrne (R-AL)
Co-Sponsors:
1 (1 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
9/28/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would allow the Secretary of Education to waive accreditation requirements if accreditors can demonstrate the waiver is necessary to "enable an institution of higher education or program accredited by the agency or association to implement innovative practices."
       
S.O.S. Campus Act
HR 3734 Sponsor:
Rep. Davis (D-CA)
Co-Sponsors:
17 (0 R; 17 D)
Introduced:
9/11/2017
S. 1801 Sponsor:
Sen. Kaine (D-VA)
Co-Sponsors:
4 (0 R; 4 D)
Introduced:
9/12/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This piece of legislation, the Survivor Outreach and Support (S.O.S.) Campus Act, would require institutions to create "an independent advocate for campus sexual assault prevention and response."  
       
Educator Preparation Reform Act
HR 3636 Sponsor:
Rep. Kihuen (D-NV)
Co-Sponsors:
3 (0 R; 3 D)
Introduced:
8/1/2017
S. 1694 Sponsor:
Sen. Reed (D-RI)
Co-Sponsors:
2 (0 R; 2 D)
Introduced:
8/1/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This comprehensive bill addresses quality and accountability for teacher preparation programs. Specifically, the legislation requires programs to report on several performance metrics. The bill would also modify some components of TEACH Grants by restricting eligibility to only college juniors, seniors, and masters-level students. The bill allows partial payback based on the length of service completed for TEACH Grant recipients who do not finish the four-year service requirement. Institutions defined as "at-risk" or "low performing" would be ineligible for TEACH Grants.
       
Flexibility to Innovate for College Affordability Act
HR 3052 Sponsor:
Rep. Welch (D-VT)
Co-Sponsors:
2 (2 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
6/23/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would establish the "Higher Education Regulatory Reform Task Force," which would be composed of the Secretary of Education (or designee) and higher education community stakeholders. The task force would submit to Congress recommendations to reduce burdensome, duplicative, or ineffective regulations in higher education. Following the task force's work, the President is tasked with producing and submitting to Congress a bill to address the task force's recommendations; the bill would receive expedited consideration. In addition, the bill would allow, through the Experimental Sites Initiative (ESI), the Secretary to waive grant and loan maximums for an experiment at institutions that would prorate additional aid to students enrolled over the minimum full-time course-load. Further, the Secretary would also have full waiver authority through ESI to conduct other experiments, including prior learning assessments, dual enrollment, and non-accredited competency-based education.
       
Remedial Education Improvement Act
HR 2961 Sponsor:
Rep. Norcross (D-NJ)
Co-Sponsors:
8 (0 R; 8 D)
Introduced:
6/20/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would authorize the Secretary of Education to provide competitive grants, not less than $500,000, to institutions for the purpose of improving remedial education, specifically through five models: aligning coursework, accelerated coursework, modular instruction, co-requisite enrollment, and systemic reform. 
       
Community College Student Success Act
HR 2960 Sponsor:
Rep. Meng (D-NY)
Co-Sponsors:
12 (0 R; 12 D)
Introduced:
6/20/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This piece of legislation would authorize a new competitive grant program for community colleges, specifically for these institutions to increase graduation and transfer rates. 
       
85/15 Rule Act 
HR 2743 Sponsor:
Rep. Waters (D-CA)
Co-Sponsors:
0 (0 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
5/25/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would restore the 85/15 ratio for proprietary institutions from the current 90/10 rule ratio.
       
Students Before Profits Act 
HR 2300 Sponsor:
Rep. Waters (D-CA)
Co-Sponsors:
6 (0 R; 6 D)
Introduced:
5/2/2017
S. 1784 Sponsor:
Sen. Murphy (D-CT)
Co-Sponsors:
7 (0 R; 7 D)
Introduced:
9/11/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: With a focus on the proprietary sector, this piece of legislation would impose civil penalties on executives of institutions found to be misrepresenting student data, require the Secretary of Education to monitor cohort default rate (CDR) manipulation and make retroactive adjustments to CDRs if manipulation is discovered, make executives personally liable for financial losses due to borrower defense to repayment, and bar board members and executives from institutions the Department of Education has pursued enforcement action against from working at another institution of higher education.
       
Kids Before Cons Act 
HR 2007 Sponsor:
Rep. Collins (R-NY)
Co-Sponsors:
1 (1 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
4/6/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would prohibit the Department of Education from using experimental sites authority to waive the prohibition of incarcerated individuals from receiving federal student aid. The Department would also be prohibited from using experimental sites authority to award funds to institutions directly for the purposes of providing postsecondary education to incarcerated individuals. 
       
Campus Accountability and Safety Act 
HR 1949 Sponsor:
Rep. Maloney (D-NY)
Co-Sponsors:
25 (4 R; 21 D)
Introduced:
4/5/2017
S. 856 Sponsor:
Sen. McCaskill (D-MO)
Co-Sponsors:
22 (5 R; 17 D)
Introduced:
4/5/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill, aimed at addressing campus sexual assault, would establish several new requirements for colleges and universities relating to campus safety, including significantly increasing fines for Clery Act violations. 
       
Foreign Medical School Accountability Fairness Act
HR 1922 Sponsor:
Rep. Burgess (R-TX)
Co-Sponsors:
1 (0 R; 1 D)
Introduced:
4/5/2017
S. 850 Sponsor:
Sen. Durbin (D-IL)
Co-Sponsors:
1 (1 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
4/5/2017

NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would eliminate an exemption of certain medical schools outside of the United States and Canada from federal student aid requirements. The bill requires all medical schools outside of the U.S. and Canada to enroll at least 60 percent non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and their graduates must have at least a 75 percent pass rate on the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam. Any U.S. student enrolled before the enactment of the legislation would retain access to Direct Loans.

       
Higher Education Innovation Act
S. 615 Sponsor:
Sen. Bennet (D-CO)
Co-Sponsors:
1 (1 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
3/13/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would establish a pilot program for alternative accreditation for institutions for the purposes of institutional eligibility for the federal student aid programs. Certain currently ineligible programs and providers would be authorized to receive Title IV funds, provided the programs and providers meet a number of performance metrics and other requirements. 
       
States' Education Reclamation Act 
HR 1510 Sponsor:
Rep. Rouzer (R-NC)
Co-Sponsors:
3 (3 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
3/10/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would eliminate the Department of Education and distribute major programs to other agencies. The Federal Pell Grant Program and all student loan programs would be transferred to the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Based on the language, FWS and FSEOG could be eliminated entirely. 
       
CLASS Act 
S. 553 Sponsor:
Sen. Durbin (D-IL)
Co-Sponsors:
8 (0 R; 8 D)
Introduced:
3/7/2017
Sponsor:
Rep. Waters (D-CA)
Co-Sponsors:
9 (0 R; 9 D)
Introduced:
5/2/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill, the Court Legal Access and Student Support (CLASS) Act, prevents institutions from limiting the ability of students to pursue claims against the institution, such as through mandatory arbitration clauses in enrollment agreements. Further, the bill ensures existing law regarding enforcement of arbitration agreements does not apply to enrollment agreements. 
       
To terminate the Department of Education.
HR 899 Sponsor:
Rep. Massie (R-KY)
Co-Sponsors:
12 (12 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
2/7/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This brief bill would eliminate the Department of Education, effective December 31, 2018. The bill does not describe what would happen to the federal student aid programs.
 
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to teacher preparation issues.
H.J.Res. 58 Sponsor:
Rep. Guthrie (R-KY)
Co-Sponsors:
13 (13 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
2/1/2017
 S.J. Res. 26 Sponsor:
Sen. Sasse (R-NE)
Co-Sponsors:
10 (10 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
3/2/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This measure repeals the October 2016 teacher preparation program accountability regulation via the Congressional Review Act.
Status: 3/27/2017: Signed into Law by President Trump

 

114th Session of Congress

 

Prohibition of Preferential Treatment for Illegal Aliens 
S. 60 Sponsor:
Sen. Vitter (R-LA)
Co-Sponsors:
0 (0 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
1/7/2015
HR 3566 Sponsor:
Rep. Gosar (R-AZ, 4)
Co-Sponsors:
25 (25 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
9/18/2015
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill enacts a system to ensure states or institutions prohibit undocumented students from receiving student aid if not available to all United States citizens.

 

Proprietary Education Oversight Coordination Improvement Act
HR 747 Sponsor:
Rep. Cummings (D-MD, 7)
Co-Sponsors:
1 (0 R; 1 D)
Introduced:
2/5/2015
S. 396 Sponsor:
Sen. Durbin (D-IL)
Co-Sponsors:
4 (0 R; 4 D)
Introduced:
2/5/2015

NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: The bill would require the formation of an interagency committee specifically instructed to examine the for-profit sector. The committee would meet regularly, publish a report, and compile a "warning list" of institutions.

 

Supporting Academic Freedom through Regulatory Relief Act
HR 970 Sponsor:
Rep. Foxx (R-NC, 5)
Co-Sponsors:
39 (37 R; 2 D)
Introduced:
2/13/2015
S. 559 Sponsor:
Sen. Burr (R-NC)
Co-Sponsors:
28 (28 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
2/25/2015
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would repeal current regulations relating to state authorization, credit hour definition, and gainful employment. It prohibits the Department of Education from enacting any regulations on these topics in the future. ED would also be prohibited from developing a teacher preparation program accountability system and an institutional ratings system.

 

No Federal Funds Without the American Flag Act
HR 1691 Sponsor:
Rep. Duffy (R-WI, 7)
Co-Sponsors:
2 (2 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
3/26/2015
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill prohibits federal financial aid to higher education institutions that ban the display of the American flag on campus.

 

Protections and Regulation for Our Students Act (PRO Students Act)
HR 2192 Sponsor:
Rep. Takano (D-CA, 41)
Co-Sponsors:
12 (0 R; 12 D)
Introduced:
4/30/2015
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This comprehensive bill changes the 90/10 Rule back to 85/15 for proprietary institutions, prohibits institutions from using federal student aid funds for marketing, advertising, or recruiting, establishes an interagency committee to examine the for-profit sector, launches a complaint tracking system for students, improve access to particular pieces of consumer information, prohibits incentive compensation based on recruitment or academic success, among other things.

 

Protect Student Borrowers Act
S. 1102 Sponsor:
Sen. Reed (D-RI)
Co-Sponsors:
3 (0 R; 3 D)
Introduced:
4/27/2015
HR 2364 Sponsor:
Rep. Carney (D-DE)
Co-Sponsors:
0 (0 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
5/15/2015
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill, a risk-sharing proposal, would require institutions of higher education with cohort default rates at 15% or higher to pay a certain percentage of the total amount of loans made to students in default. Payments would be used to rehabilitate certain loans, develop programs to assist borrowers in default, and offset any future shortfalls in the Pell Grant program.

 

National Collegiate Athletics Accountability (NCAA) Act
HR 2731 Sponsor:
Rep. Dent (R-PA, 15)
Co-Sponsors:
6 (3 R; 3 D)
Introduced:
6/11/2015
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill prohibits universities from receiving Title IV funds if they participate in an athletic association that does not provide certain rules related to the health of student athletes, the education of student athletes, and due process related to possible infractions of athletic association bylaws.

 

Assuring Quality Outcomes in Higher Education Act
HR 2815 Sponsor:
Rep. Salmon (R-AZ, 5)
Co-Sponsors:
10 (4 R; 6 D)
Introduced:
6/17/2015
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This measure would require the Department of Education to conduct an impact analysis on any income- or employment-based measures of quality in higher education before promulgating regulations. The bill’s text refers specifically to gainful employment, college ratings, and teacher preparation regulations.

 

Military and Veterans Education Protection Act
S. 1664 Sponsor:
Sen. Carper (D-DE)
Co-Sponsors:
26 (0 R; 26 D)
Introduced:
6/24/2015
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This measure would count military tuition assistance and veterans' education benefits as federal aid for the purpose of calculations under the 90/10 Rule for proprietary institutions.

 

Protecting Financial Aid for Students and Taxpayers Act
S. 1908 Sponsor:
Sen. Brown (D-OH)
Co-Sponsors:
5 (0 R; 5 D)
Introduced:
7/30/2015
HR 4109 Sponsor:
Rep. Grijalva (D-AZ, 3)
Co-Sponsors:
8 (0 R; 8 D)
Introduced:
11/19/2015
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This measure prohibits institutions from using federal student aid funds for marketing, advertising, or recruiting.

 

Student Protection and Success Act
S. 1939 Sponsor:
Sen. Shaheen (D-NH)
Co-Sponsors:
1 (1 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
8/5/2015
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would implement an institutional risk-sharing model where eligibility for student aid funding would depend on cohort repayment rates.

 

Students Before Profits Act
S. 2098 Sponsor:
Sen. Murphy (D-CT)
Co-Sponsors:
5 (0 R; 5 D)
Introduced:
9/29/2015
HR 3992 Sponsor:
Rep. Waters (D-CA, 43)
Co-Sponsors:
15 (0 R; 15 D)
Introduced:
11/5/2015
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill focuses on reforms targeted at the proprietary sector. The legislation would impose civil penalties on executives of institutions found to be misrepresenting student data, require the Secretary of Education to monitor default rate manipulation, make executives personally liable for financial losses due to borrower defense to repayment, and "prevent repeat offenders" by not allowing board members and executives from institutions the Department of Education has pursued enforcement action against from working at another institution of higher education.

 

Protecting Our Students and Taxpayers (POST) Act
S. 2272 Sponsor:
Sen. Durbin (D-IL)
Co-Sponsors:
5 (0 R; 4 D; 1 I)
Introduced:
11/10/2015
HR 4101 Sponsor:
Rep. Cohen (D-TN)
Co-Sponsors:
3 (1 R; 2 D)
Introduced:
11/19/2015
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This comprehensive bill changes the 90/10 Rule back to 85/15 for proprietary institutions and expands the definition of federal funds to include any Federal financial assistance provided, under this Act or any other Federal law, through a grant, contract, subsidy, loan, guarantee, insurance, or other means to a proprietary institution, including Federal financial assistance that is disbursed or delivered to an institution or on behalf of a student or to a student to be used to attend the institution.

 

Educator Preparation Reform Act
S. 2419 Sponsor:
Sen. Reed (D-RI)
Co-Sponsors:
2 (0 R; 2 D)
Introduced:
12/17/2015
HR 4471 Sponsor:
Rep. Honda (D-CA, 17)
Co-Sponsors:
6 (0 R; 6 D)
Introduced:
2/4/2016
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This comprehensive bill addresses quality and accountability for teacher preparation programs. Specifically, the legislation requires programs to report on several performance metrics. The bill would also modify some components of TEACH Grants by restricting eligibility to only college juniors, seniors, and masters-level students. The bill allows partial payback based on the length of service completed for TEACH Grant recipients who do not finish the four-year service requirement. Institutions defined as "at-risk" or "low performing" would be ineligible for TEACH.

 

Pell for Performance Act
HR 4808 Sponsor:
Rep. Salmon (R-AZ, 5)
Co-Sponsors:
0 (0 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
3/17/2016
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: In this bill, Pell Grant recipients who do not complete their program within the maximum time frame will be required to repay the Pell Grant dollars received in the form of an unsubsidized loan with interest applied retroactively to the date of first disbursement. Pell Grant recipients who enroll in another institution less than a year later or who face undue hardship, which includes active duty military service, the death of a relative, personal injury, or "other special circumstances as determined by the institution," would be exempted from this provision. 

 

Campus Sexual Assault Whistleblower Protection Act
HR 5972 Sponsor:
Rep. Spier (D-CA, 14)
Co-Sponsors:
13 (2 R; 11 D)
Introduced:
9/8/2016
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would exempt sexual assault survivors and witnesses from ineligibility from federal financial aid due to drug use admitted to or discovered following a sexual assault report.  In addition, institutions are prohibited from taking "retaliatory action" (expulsion, suspension, or altering of financial aid) against sexual assault survivors and witnesses for drug, alcohol, or sexual activity admitted to or discovered following a sexual assault report. Institutions would be required to inform students annually of this policy.

 

Access, Success, and Persistence in Reshaping Education (ASPIRE) Act
S. 3368 Sponsor:
Sen. Coons (D-DE)
Co-Sponsors:
1 (1 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
9/21/2016
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would fine the bottom five percent of institutions based on percentages of enrolled first time, full time Pell Grant recipients and use the funds to reward institutions with competitive funds to increase access and success efforts. Additionally, the bottom five percent of institutions based on six-year graduation rates would risk paying a penalty before eventually losing Title IV eligibility or schools can opt-in to the bill's completion standards. 

 

Accreditation Reform and Enhanced Accountability Act
S. 3380 Sponsor:
Sen. Warren (D-MA)
Co-Sponsors:
2 (0 R; 2 D)
Introduced:
9/22/2016
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This measure aims to comprehensively address accreditation. The bill would require the Department of Education (ED) to establish standards for student outcome data (e.g. loan repayment rate, loan default rate, graduation rate, retention rate, student earnings, job placement rate, etc.) that accreditors must use when evaluating colleges, including minimum baseline thresholds for select outcomes metrics that colleges must meet in order to remain accredited. The bill would require accreditors to conduct an "enhanced accreditation review" following any indication of fraud or abuse at an institution, including federal or state investigations and lawsuits. The bill would also increase transparency surrounding accreditation action and increase the authority of ED to terminate recognition of an accreditor. 

 

Protect the Flag Act
HR 6433 Sponsor:
Rep. Turner (R-OH, 10)
Co-Sponsors:
56 (56 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
12/2/2016
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill prohibits federal financial aid for higher education institutions that ban or remove the American flag from campus.

 

No Funding for Sanctuary Campuses Act
HR 6530 Sponsor:
Rep. Hunter (R-CA, 50)
Co-Sponsors:
2 (2 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
12/16/2016
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill prohibits federal financial aid for higher education institutions that have "sanctuary campus" policies in effect to shield or protect undocumented students from law enforcement. Institutions would be classified as a "sanctuary campus" by the Secretary of Homeland Security based on several criteria outlined in the bill. 

 

Return to Legislative Tracker Archive

Publication Date: 2/14/2023


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