[House Report 113-530]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
113th Congress } { Report
2d Session } HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES { 113-530
=======================================================================
STRENGTHENING TRANSPARENCY IN HIGHER EDUCATION ACT
_______
July 17, 2014.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Kline, from the Committee on Education and the Workforce, submitted
the following
R E P O R T
together with
MINORITY VIEWS
[To accompany H.R. 4983]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Education and the Workforce, to whom was
referred the bill (H.R. 4983) to simplify and streamline the
information regarding institutions of higher education made
publicly available by the Secretary of Education, and for other
purposes, having considered the same, report favorably thereon
with an amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do
pass.
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Strengthening Transparency in Higher
Education Act''.
SEC. 2. COLLEGE DASHBOARD WEBSITE.
(a) Establishment.--Section 132 of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1015a) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``first-time,'';
(B) in paragraph (3) in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by striking ``first-time,''; and
(C) in paragraph (4), by striking ``first-time,'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``first-time''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``first-time'';
(3) by striking subsections (c) through (g), (j), and (l);
(4) by redesignating subsections (h), (i), and (k) as
subsections (c), (d), and (e), respectively; and
(5) by striking subsection (d) (as so redesignated) and
inserting the following new subsection:
``(d) Consumer Information.--
``(1) Availability of title iv institution information.--The
Secretary shall develop and make publicly available a website
to be known as the `College Dashboard website' in accordance
with this section and prominently display on such website, in
simple, understandable, and unbiased terms for the most recent
academic year for which satisfactory data are available, the
following information with respect to each institution of
higher education that participates in a program under title IV:
``(A) A link to the website of the institution.
``(B) An identification of the type of institution as
one of the following:
``(i) A four-year public institution of
higher education.
``(ii) A four-year private, nonprofit
institution of higher education.
``(iii) A four-year private, for-profit
institution of higher education.
``(iv) A two-year public institution of
higher education.
``(v) A two-year private, nonprofit
institution of higher education.
``(vi) A two-year private, for-profit
institution of higher education.
``(vii) A less than two-year public
institution of higher education.
``(viii) A less than two-year private,
nonprofit institution of higher education.
``(ix) A less than two-year private, for-
profit institution of higher education.
``(C) The number of students enrolled at the
institution--
``(i) as undergraduate students; and
``(ii) as graduate students, if applicable.
``(D) The student-faculty ratio.
``(E) The percentage of degree-seeking or
certificate-seeking undergraduate students enrolled at
the institution who obtain a degree or certificate
within--
``(i) 100 percent of the normal time for
completion of, or graduation from, the program
in which the student is enrolled;
``(ii) 150 percent of the normal time for
completion of, or graduation from, the program
in which the student is enrolled; and
``(iii) 200 percent of the normal time for
completion of, or graduation from, the program
in which the student is enrolled.
``(F) The average net price per year for
undergraduate students and a link to the net price
calculator for such institution.
``(G) The average Federal student loan debt incurred
by an undergraduate student who has obtained a
certificate or degree from the institution and who
borrowed Federal student loans in the course of
obtaining such certificate or degree.
``(H) A link to national and regional data from the
Bureau of Labor Statistics on starting salaries in all
major occupations.
``(I) A link to the webpage of the institution
containing campus safety data with respect to such
institution.
``(2) Additional information.--The Secretary shall publish on
Internet webpages that are linked to through the College
Dashboard website for the most recent academic year for which
satisfactory data is available the following information with
respect to each institution of higher education that
participates in a program under title IV:
``(A) Enrollment.--
``(i) The percentages of male and female
undergraduate students enrolled at the
institution.
``(ii) The percentages of undergraduate
students enrolled at the institution--
``(I) full-time; and
``(II) less than full-time.
``(iii) Of the undergraduate students
enrolled at the institution--
``(I) the percentage of such students
who are from the State in which the
institution is located;
``(II) the percentage of such
students who are from other States; and
``(III) the percentage of such
students who are international
students.
``(iv) The percentages of students enrolled
at the institution, disaggregated by--
``(I) race and ethnic background;
``(II) classification as a student
with a disability;
``(III) recipients of a Federal Pell
Grant;
``(IV) recipients of veterans'
education benefits (as defined in
section 480); and
``(V) recipients of a Federal student
loan.
``(B) Completion.--The information required under
paragraph (1)(E), disaggregated by--
``(i) recipients of a Federal Pell Grant;
``(ii) recipients of a loan made under part D
(other than a Federal Direct Unsubsidized
Stafford Loan) who did not receive a Federal
Pell Grant;
``(iii) persons who did not receive a Federal
Pell Grant or a loan made under part D (other
than a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford
Loan);
``(iv) race and ethnic background; and
``(v) classification as a student with a
disability.
``(C) Costs.--
``(i) The cost of attendance for full-time
undergraduate students enrolled in the
institution who live on campus.
``(ii) The cost of attendance for full-time
undergraduate students enrolled in the
institution who live off campus.
``(iii) The cost of tuition and fees for
full-time undergraduate students enrolled in
the institution.
``(iv) The cost of tuition and fees per
credit hour or credit hour equivalency for
undergraduate students enrolled in the
institution less than full time.
``(v) In the case of a public institution of
higher education and notwithstanding subsection
(b)(1), the costs described in clauses (i) and
(ii) for--
``(I) full-time students enrolled in
the institution who are residents of
the State in which the institution is
located; and
``(II) full-time students enrolled in
the institution who are not residents
of such State.
``(vi) The net price for students receiving
Federal student financial aid under title IV,
disaggregated by the following income
categories for such students:
``(I) $0 to $30,000.
``(II) $30,001 to $48,000.
``(III) $48,001 to $75,000.
``(IV) $75,001 to $110,000.
``(V) Over $110,000.
``(D) Financial aid.--
``(i) The average annual grant amount
(including Federal, State, and institutional
aid) awarded to an undergraduate student
enrolled at the institution who receives
financial aid.
``(ii) The percentage of undergraduate
students enrolled at the institution receiving
Federal, State, and institutional grants,
student loans, and any other type of student
financial assistance known by the institution,
provided publicly or through the institution,
such as Federal work-study funds.
``(iii) The cohort default rate (as defined
in section 435(m)) for such institution.
``(E) Faculty information.--
``(i) The ratio of the number of course
sections taught by part-time instructors to the
number of course sections taught by full-time
faculty, disaggregated by course sections
intended primarily for undergraduate students
and course sections intended primarily for
graduate students.
``(ii) The mean and median years of
employment for part-time instructors.
``(3) Other data matters.--
``(A) Completion data.--The Commissioner of Education
Statistics shall ensure that the information required
under paragraph (1)(E) includes information with
respect to all students at an institution, including
students other than first-time, full-time students, in
a manner that the Commissioner considers appropriate.
``(B) Adjustment of income categories.--The Secretary
may annually adjust the range of each of the income
categories described in paragraph (2)(C)(vi) to account
for a change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban
Consumers as determined by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics if the Secretary determines an adjustment is
necessary.
``(4) Institutional comparison.--The Secretary shall include
on the College Dashboard website a method for users to easily
compare the information required under paragraphs (1) and (2)
between institutions.
``(5) Updates.--
``(A) Data.--The Secretary shall update the College
Dashboard website not less than annually.
``(B) Technology and format.--The Secretary shall
regularly assess the format and technology of the
College Dashboard website and make any changes or
updates that the Secretary considers appropriate.
``(6) Consumer testing.--
``(A) In general.--In developing and maintaining the
College Dashboard website, the Secretary, in
consultation with appropriate departments and agencies
of the Federal Government, shall conduct consumer
testing with appropriate persons, including current and
prospective college students, family members of such
students, institutions of higher education, and
experts, to ensure that the College Dashboard website
is usable and easily understandable and provides useful
and relevant information to students and families.
``(B) Recommendations for changes.--The Secretary
shall submit to the authorizing committees any
recommendations that the Secretary considers
appropriate for changing the information required to be
provided on the College Dashboard website under
paragraphs (1) and (2) based on the results of the
consumer testing conducted under subparagraph (A).
``(7) Provision of appropriate links to prospective students
after submission of FAFSA.--The Secretary shall provide to each
student that submits a Free Application for Federal Student Aid
described in section 483 a link to the webpage of the College
Dashboard website that contains the information required under
paragraph (1) for each institution of higher education such
student includes on such Application.
``(8) Interagency coordination.--The Secretary, in
consultation with each appropriate head of a department or
agency of the Federal Government, shall ensure to the greatest
extent practicable that any information related to higher
education that is published by such department or agency is
consistent with the information published on the College
Dashboard website.
``(9) References to college navigator website.--Any reference
in this Act to the College Navigator website shall be
considered a reference to the College Dashboard website.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--The Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001 et seq.), as amended by subsection (a) of this section, is
further amended--
(1) in section 131(h)(1) (20 U.S.C. 1015(h)(1)), by striking
``College Navigator'' and inserting ``College Dashboard''; and
(2) in section 132(a) (20 U.S.C. 1015a(a)), by striking
paragraph (1) and inserting the following new paragraph:
``(1) College dashboard website.--The term `College Dashboard
website' means the College Dashboard website required under
subsection (d).''.
(c) Development.--The Secretary of Education shall develop and
publish the College Dashboard website required under section 132 of the
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1015a), as amended by
subsections (a) and (b) of this section, not later than one year after
the date of the enactment of this Act.
(d) College Navigator Website Maintenance.--The Secretary shall
maintain the College Navigator website required under section 132 of
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1015a), as in effect the
day before the date of the enactment of this Act, in the manner
required under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as in effect on such
day, until the College Dashboard website referred to in subsection (c)
is complete and publicly available on the Internet.
SEC. 3. NET PRICE CALCULATORS.
Subsection (c) of section 132 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1015a), as redesignated by section 2(a)(4) of this Act, is
amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (6); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new
paragraphs:
``(4) Minimum requirements for net price calculators.--Not
later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of the
Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act, a net price
calculator for an institution of higher education shall meet
the following requirements:
``(A) The link for the calculator shall--
``(i) be clearly labeled as a net price
calculator and prominently, clearly, and
conspicuously posted in locations on the
website of such institution where information
on costs and aid is provided and any other
location that the institution considers
appropriate; and
``(ii) match in size and font to the other
prominent links on the webpage where the link
for the calculator is displayed.
``(B) The webpage displaying the results for the
calculator shall specify at least the following
information:
``(i) The net price (as calculated under
subsection (a)(2)) for such institution, which
shall be the most visually prominent figure on
the results screen.
``(ii) Cost of attendance, including--
``(I) tuition and fees;
``(II) average annual cost of room
and board for the institution for a
full-time undergraduate student
enrolled in the institution;
``(III) average annual cost of books
and supplies for a full-time
undergraduate student enrolled in the
institution; and
``(IV) estimated cost of other
expenses (including personal expenses
and transportation) for a full-time
undergraduate student enrolled in the
institution.
``(iii) Estimated total need-based grant aid
and merit-based grant aid from Federal, State,
and institutional sources that may be available
to a full-time undergraduate student.
``(iv) Percentage of the full-time
undergraduate students enrolled in the
institution that received any type of grant aid
described in clause (iii).
``(v) The disclaimer described in paragraph
(6).
``(vi) In the case of a calculator that--
``(I) includes questions to estimate
the eligibility of a student or
prospective student for veterans'
education benefits (as defined in
section 480) or educational benefits
for active duty service members, such
benefits are displayed on the results
screen in a manner that clearly
distinguishes such benefits from the
grant aid described in clause (iii); or
``(II) does not include questions to
estimate eligibility for the benefits
described in subclause (I), the results
screen indicates that certain students
(or prospective students) may qualify
for such benefits and includes a link
to information about such benefits.
``(C) The institution shall populate the calculator
with data from not later than 2 academic years prior to
the most recent academic year.
``(5) Prohibition on use of data collected by the net price
calculator.--A net price calculator for an institution of
higher education shall--
``(A) clearly indicate which questions are required
to be completed for an estimate of the net price from
the calculator;
``(B) in the case of a calculator that requests
contact information from users, clearly mark such
requests as optional and provide for an estimate of the
net price from the calculator without requiring users
to enter such information; and
``(C) prohibit any personally identifiable
information provided by users from being sold or made
available to third parties.''.
SEC. 4. FUNDING.
(a) Use of Existing Funds.--Of the amount authorized to be
appropriated to the Department of Education to maintain the College
Navigator website, $1,000,000 shall be available to carry out this Act
and the amendments made by this Act.
(b) No Additional Funds Authorized.--No funds are authorized by this
Act to be appropriated to carry out this Act or the amendments made by
this Act.
H.R. 4983, THE STRENGTHENING TRANSPARENCY IN HIGHER EDUCATION ACT
Purpose
H.R. 4983, the Strengthening Transparency in Higher
Education Act, streamlines and improves the information made
available by the secretary of education about institutions of
higher education in order to help students and families make
more informed decisions about postsecondary education options.
Committee Action
As the Committee on Education and the Workforce begins the
Higher Education Act reauthorization process, increasing
transparency and usefulness of higher education data;
simplifying and improving the federal student aid programs; and
promoting innovation, access, and completion remain top
priorities.
112TH CONGRESS
Hearings--First session
On March 1, 2011, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce held a hearing in Washington, D.C., on ``Education
Regulations: Weighing the Burden on Schools and Students.'' The
hearing was the first in a series examining the burden of
federal, state, and local regulations on the nation's education
system. The purpose of the hearing was to uncover the damaging
effects of federal regulations on schools and institutions.
These rules increasingly stifle growth and innovation, raise
operating costs, and limit student access to affordable
colleges and universities throughout the nation. Testifying
before the committee were Dr. Edgar Hatrick, Superintendent,
Loudon County Public Schools, Ashburn, Virginia; Ms. Kati
Haycock, President, The Education Trust, Washington, D.C.; Mr.
Gene Wilhoit, Executive Director, Council of Chief State School
Officers, Washington, D.C.; and Mr. Christopher B. Nelson,
President, St. John's College, Annapolis, Maryland.
On March 11, 2011, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce
Training held a hearing in Washington, D.C., on ``Education
Regulations: Federal Overreach into Academic Affairs.'' The
purpose of the hearing was to discuss the most egregious and
intrusive pieces of the program integrity regulations issued by
the U.S. Department of Education, specifically, the state
authorization regulation and the credit hour regulation, and to
uncover the unintended consequences of the regulations to
states and institutions of higher education. Testifying before
the subcommittee were Mr. John Ebersole, President, Excelsior
College, Albany, New York; Dr. G. Blair Dowden, President,
Huntington University, Huntington, Indiana; The Honorable
Kathleen Tighe, Inspector General, U.S. Department of
Education, Washington, D.C.; and Mr. Ralph Wolff, President,
Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Alameda,
California.
On March 17, 2011, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce held a hearing in Washington, D.C., on ``Education
Regulations: Roadblocks to Student Choice in Higher
Education.'' The purpose of the hearing was to explore the
harmful consequences of the gainful employment regulation
issued by the U.S. Department of Education. Testifying before
the committee were Ms. Catherine Barreto, Graduate, Monroe
College, and Senior Sales Associate, Doubletree Hotels,
Brooklyn, New York; Mr. Travis Jennings, Electrical Supervisor
of the Manufacturing Launch Systems Group, Orbital Sciences
Corporation, Chandler, Arizona; Dr. Arnold Mitchem, President,
Council for Opportunity in Education, Washington, D.C.; and Ms.
Jeanne Herrmann, Chief Operating Officer, Globe University/
Minnesota School of Business, Woodbury, Minnesota.
On March 21, 2011, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce held a hearing in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on
``Reviving our Economy: The Role of Higher Education in Job
Growth and Development.'' The purpose of the hearing was to
highlight work by local colleges and universities to respond to
local and state economic needs. Testifying before the committee
were Mr. James Perry, President, Hazelton City Council,
Hazelton, Pennsylvania; Mr. Jeffrey Alesson, Vice President of
Strategic Planning and Quality Assurance, Diamond
Manufacturing, Exeter, Pennsylvania; Dr. Reynold Verret,
Provost, Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; Mr.
Raymond Angeli, President, Lackawanna College, Scranton,
Pennsylvania; Ms. Joan Seaman, Executive Director, Empire
Beauty School, Moosic, Pennsylvania; and Mr. Thomas P. Leary,
President, Luzerne County Community College, Nanticoke,
Pennsylvania.
On March 22, 2011, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce held a hearing in Utica, New York, on ``Reviving our
Economy: The Role of Higher Education in Job Growth and
Development.'' The purpose of the hearing was to highlight work
by local colleges and universities to respond to local and
state economic needs. Testifying before the committee were Mr.
Anthony J. Picente, Jr., County Executive, Oneida County,
Utica, New York; Mr. Dave Mathis, Director, Oneida County
Workforce Development, Utica, New York; Dr. John Bay, Vice
President and Chief Scientist, Assured Information Security,
Inc., Rome, New York; Dr. Bjong Wolf Yeigh, President, State
University of New York Institute of Technology, Utica, New
York; Dr. Ann Marie Murray, President, Herkimer County
Community College, Herkimer, New York; Dr. Judith Kirkpatrick,
Provost, Utica College, Utica, New York; and Mr. Phil Williams,
President, Utica School of Commerce, The Business College,
Utica, New York.
On April 21, 2011, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce held a hearing in Columbia, Tennessee, on ``Reviving
our Economy: The Role of Higher Education in Job Growth and
Development.'' The purpose of the hearing was to highlight the
work by local colleges and universities to respond to local and
state economic needs. Testifying before the committee were Dr.
Janet Smith, President, Columbia State Community College,
Columbia, Tennessee; Dr. Ted Brown, President, Martin-Methodist
College, Pulaski, Tennessee; Mr. Jim Coakley, President,
Nashville Auto-Diesel College, Nashville, Tennessee; The
Honorable Dean Dickey, Mayor, City of Columbia, Tennessee; Ms.
Susan Marlow, President and Chief Executive Officer, Smart Data
Strategies, Franklin, Tennessee; Ms. Jan McKeel, Executive
Director, South Central Tennessee Workforce Board, Columbia,
Tennessee; and Ms. Margaret Prater, Executive Director,
Northwest Tennessee Workforce Board, Dyersburg, Tennessee.
On July 8, 2011, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce
Training, together with the House Committee on Oversight and
Government Reform Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs, Stimulus
Oversight, and Government Spending, held a hearing in
Washington, D.C., on ``The Gainful Employment Regulation:
Limiting Job Growth and Student Choice.'' The purpose of the
hearing was to explore the harmful consequences of the gainful
employment regulation issued by the U.S. Department of
Education. Testifying before the subcommittees were Dr. Dario
A. Cortes, President, Berkeley College, New York City, New
York; Dr. Anthony P. Carnevale, Director, Georgetown University
Center on Education and the Workforce, Washington, D.C.; Ms.
Karla Carpenter, Graduate, Herzing University and Program
Manager, Quest Software, Madison, Wisconsin; and Mr. Harry C.
Alford, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Black
Chamber of Commerce, Washington, D.C.
On August 16, 2011, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce
Training held a hearing in Greenville, South Carolina, on
``Reviving Our Economy: The Role of Higher Education in Job
Growth and Development.'' The purpose of the hearing was to
highlight the work by local colleges and universities to
respond to local and state economic needs. Testifying before
the subcommittee were The Honorable Knox White, Mayor, City of
Greenville, South Carolina; Mr. Werner Eikenbusch, Section
Manager, Associate Development and Training, BMW Manufacturing
Co., Spartanburg, South Carolina; Ms. Laura Harmon, Project
Director, Greenville Works, Greenville, South Carolina; Dr.
Brenda Thames, Vice President of Academic Development,
Greenville Health System, Greenville, South Carolina; Mr. James
F. Barker, President, Clemson University, Clemson, South
Carolina; Dr. Thomas F. Moore, Chancellor, University of South
Carolina Upstate, Spartanburg, South Carolina; Dr. Keith
Miller, President, Greenville Technical College, Greenville,
South Carolina; and Ms. Amy Hickman, Campus President, ECPI
College of Technology, Greenville, South Carolina.
On October 25, 2011, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce
Training held a hearing in Washington, D.C., on ``Government-
Run Student Loans: Ensuring the Direct Loan Program is
Accountable to Students and Taxpayers.'' The purpose of the
hearing was to examine the switch to and implementation of the
Direct Loan program. Testifying before the subcommittee were
Mr. James W. Runcie, Chief Operating Officer, Office of Federal
Student Aid, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C.;
Mr. Ron H. Day, Director of Financial Aid, Kennesaw State
University, Kennesaw, Georgia; Ms. Nancy Hoover, Director of
Financial Aid, Denison University, Granville, Ohio; and Mr.
Mark. A. Bandre, Vice President for Enrollment Management and
Student Affairs, Baker University, Baldwin City, Kansas.
On November 30, 2011, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce
Training held a hearing in Washington, D.C., on ``Keeping
College Within Reach: Discussing Ways Institutions Can
Streamline Costs and Reduce Tuition.'' The purpose of the
hearing was to highlight innovative practices institutions of
higher education are implementing to reduce their costs to
limit tuition increases for students. Testifying before the
subcommittee were Ms. Jane V. Wellman, Executive Director,
Delta Project on Postsecondary Costs, Productivity, and
Accountability, Washington, D.C.; Dr. Ronald E. Manahan,
President, Grace College and Seminary, Winona Lake, Indiana;
Mr. Jamie P. Merisotis, President and Chief Executive Officer,
Lumina Foundation for Education, Indianapolis, Indiana; and Mr.
Tim Foster, President, Colorado Mesa University, Grand
Junction, Colorado.
Legislative action--First session
On February 17, 2011, the House of Representatives
considered an amendment offered by Chairman John Kline (R-MN),
Higher Education and Workforce Training Subcommittee Chairwoman
Virginia Foxx (R-NC), and Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL) to H.R. 1,
the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013. The amendment
prohibited the use of funds by the U.S. Department of Education
to implement and enforce the gainful employment regulation. The
amendment was agreed to by a bipartisan vote of 289 to 136.
On February 19, 2011, the House of Representatives passed
H.R. 1 by a vote of 235 to 189. The amendment was not included
in the bill at final passage.
On June 3, 2011, Chairman John Kline (R-MN) and Higher
Education and Workforce Training Subcommittee Chairwoman
Virginia Foxx (R-NC) introduced H.R. 2117, the Protecting
Academic Freedom in Higher Education Act. The bill repealed the
state authorization regulation, one piece of the credit hour
regulation, and prohibited the secretary of education from
defining credit hour for any purpose under the Higher Education
Act of 1965.
On June 15, 2011, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce considered H.R. 2117 in legislative session and
reported it favorably, as amended, to the House of
Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 27 to 11.
The committee considered and adopted the following
amendment to H.R. 2117:
Subcommittee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC)
offered an amendment in the nature of a substitute to
add a short title to the legislation. The amendment was
adopted by voice vote.
The committee further considered the following amendments
to H.R. 2117, which were not adopted:
Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) offered an
amendment to maintain pieces of the state authorization
regulation, including the complaint process. The
amendment failed by a vote of 17 to 22.
Ranking Member George Miller (D-CA) offered
an amendment to prohibit implementation until the U.S.
Department of Education Inspector General certifies
there are equal or greater protections in place related
to program integrity under Title IV of the Higher
Education Act of 1965. The amendment failed by a vote
of 17 to 22.
Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) offered an amendment
to stipulate the act will be effective only if the
maximum Pell Grant award is at least $5,550 for the
2012-2013 school year. The amendment was ruled out of
order.
Rep. Tim Bishop (D-NY) offered an amendment
to strike the repeal of the credit hour regulation that
establishes a federal definition of a ``credit hour.''
The amendment failed by a vote of 11 to 27.
Rep. Tim Bishop (D-NY) offered an amendment
to strike the prohibition on the secretary of education
from defining credit hour in the future. The amendment
failed by a vote of 16 to 22.
Hearings--Second session
On July 18, 2012, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce
Training held a hearing in Washington, D.C., on ``Keeping
College Within Reach: Exploring State Efforts to Curb Costs.''
The purpose of the hearing was to highlight innovative
practices at the state level to assist postsecondary
institutions in keeping costs affordable and to promote
accountability of public funds. Testifying before the
subcommittee were Mr. Scott Pattison, Executive Director,
National Association of State Budget Officers, Washington,
D.C.; Ms. Teresa Lubbers, Commissioner for Higher Education,
State of Indiana, Indianapolis, Indiana; Mr. Stan Jones,
President, Complete College America, Zionsville, Indiana; and
Dr. Joe May, President, Louisiana Community and Technical
College System, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
On September 20, 2012, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce
Training held a hearing in Washington, D.C., on ``Assessing
College Data: Helping to Provide Valuable Information to
Students, Institutions, and Taxpayers.'' The purpose of the
hearing was to examine data collected by the federal government
from institutions of higher education, including data
requirements established during the last reauthorization of the
Higher Education Act. Testifying before the subcommittee were
Dr. Mark Schneider, Vice President, American Institutes for
Research, Washington, D.C.; Dr. James Hallmark, Vice Chancellor
for Academic Affairs, Texas A&M System, College Station, Texas;
Dr. Jose Cruz, Vice President for Higher Education Policy and
Practice, The Education Trust, Washington, D.C.; and Dr. Tracy
Fitzsimmons, President, Shenandoah University, Winchester,
Virginia.
Legislative action--Second session
On February 28, 2012, the House of Representatives passed
H.R. 2117 by a bipartisan vote of 303 to 114. The bill was sent
to the Senate and referred to the Senate Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions.
On April 25, 2012, Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL) introduced H.R.
4628, the Interest Rate Reduction Act. The bill reduced the
interest rate on subsidized Stafford loans made to
undergraduate students from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent for one
year, from July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2013. To offset the
increase in mandatory spending, the bill repealed the
Prevention and Public Health Fund authorized under Section 4002
of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and rescinded
the balance of unobligated monies made available for the fund.
On April 27, 2012, the House of Representatives passed H.R.
4628 by a vote of 215 to 195.
While H.R. 4628 was never considered by the Senate, its
provisions were included in the Conference Report for H.R.
4348, the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act
(MAP-21), sponsored by Rep. John Mica (R-FL). To partially
offset the increase in mandatory spending that resulted from
the temporary reduction in interest rates on subsidized
Stafford loans, the bill permanently restricted the period of
eligibility to borrow subsidized Stafford loans to 150 percent
of the published length of a student's educational program.
On June 29, 2012, the House of Representatives passed the
Conference Report to H.R. 4348 by a bipartisan vote of 373 to
52.
On June 29, 2012, the Senate passed the Conference Report
to H.R. 4348 by a bipartisan vote of 74 to 19.
On July 6, 2012, the President of the United States signed
H.R. 4348 into law (P.L. 112-141).
113TH CONGRESS
Hearings--First session
On March 13, 2013, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce held a hearing in Washington, D.C., on ``Keeping
College Within Reach: Examining Opportunities to Strengthen
Federal Student Loan Programs.'' The purpose of the hearing was
to examine ways to strengthen federal student loans, as well as
how moving to a market-based or variable interest rate on all
federal student loans could benefit both students and
taxpayers. Testifying before the committee were Dr. Deborah J.
Lucas, Sloan Distinguished Professor of Finance, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Mr. Jason
Delisle, Director, Federal Education Budget Project, The New
America Foundation, Washington, D.C.; Mr. Justin Draeger,
President and Chief Executive Officer, National Association of
Student Financial Aid Administrators, Washington, D.C.; and Dr.
Charmaine Mercer, Vice President of Policy, Alliance for
Excellent Education, Washington, D.C.
On April 9, 2013, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce
Training held a hearing in Monroe, Michigan, entitled
``Reviving Our Economy: The Role of Higher Education in Job
Growth and Development.'' The purpose of the hearing was to
highlight work being done by local colleges and universities to
respond to local and state economic needs. Testifying before
the subcommittee were Mr. Henry Lievens, Commissioner, Monroe
County, Monroe, Michigan; Ms. Lynette Dowler, Plant Director,
Fossil Generation, DTE Energy, Detroit, Michigan; Ms. Susan
Smith, Executive Director, Economic Development Partnership of
Hillsdale County, Jonesville, Michigan; Mr. Dan Fairbanks,
United Auto Workers International Representative, UAW-GM Skill
Development and Training Department, Detroit, Michigan; Dr.
David E. Nixon, President, Monroe County Community College,
Monroe, Michigan; Sister Peg Albert, OP, Ph.D., President,
Siena Heights University, Adrian, Michigan; Dr. Michelle
Shields, Career Coach/Workforce Development Director, Jackson
Community College, Jackson, Michigan; and Mr. Douglas A. Levy,
Director of Financial Aid, Macomb Community College, Warren,
Michigan.
On April 16, 2013, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce
Training held a hearing in Washington, D.C., entitled ``Keeping
College Within Reach: The Role of Federal Student Aid
Programs.'' The purpose of the hearing was to examine shifting
the focus of federal student aid programs from enhancing access
to improving student outcomes. Testifying before the
subcommittee were Mr. Terry W. Hartle, Senior Vice President,
Division of Government and Public Affairs, American Council on
Education, Washington, D.C.; Ms. Moriah Miles, State Chair,
Minnesota State University Student Association, Mankato,
Minnesota; Ms. Patricia McGuire, President, Trinity Washington
University, Washington, D.C.; and Mr. Dan Madzelan, Former
Employee (Retired), U.S. Department of Education, University
Park, Maryland.
On April 24, 2013, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce held a
hearing in Washington, D.C., entitled ``Keeping College Within
Reach: Enhancing Transparency for Students, Families, and
Taxpayers.'' The purpose of the hearing was to examine ways to
improve the information provided by the federal government to
inform students and families about their postsecondary
education options. Testifying before the subcommittee were Dr.
Donald E. Heller, Dean, College of Education, Michigan State
University, East Lansing, Michigan; Mr. Alex Garrido, Student,
Keiser University, Miami, Florida; Dr. Nicole Farmer Hurd,
Founder and Executive Director, National College Advising
Corps, Carrboro, North Carolina; and Mr. Travis Reindl, Program
Director, Postsecondary Education, National Governors
Association Center for Best Practices, Washington, D.C.
On June 13, 2013, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce
Training held a hearing in Washington, D.C., entitled ``Keeping
College Within Reach: Discussing Program Quality through
Accreditation.'' The purpose of the hearing was to examine the
historical role of accreditation, discuss the role of regional
and national accreditors in measuring institutional quality,
and contemplate areas for reform. Testifying before the
subcommittee were Dr. Elizabeth H. Sibolski, President, Middle
States Commission on Higher Education, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania; Dr. Michale McComis, Executive Director,
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges,
Arlington, Virginia; Ms. Anne D. Neal, President, American
Council of Trustees and Alumni, Washington, D.C.; and Mr. Kevin
Carey, Director of the Education Policy Program, The New
America Foundation, Washington, D.C.
On July 9, 2013, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce held a hearing in Washington, D.C., entitled
``Keeping College Within Reach: Improving Higher Education
through Innovation.'' The purpose of the hearing was to
highlight innovation in higher education occurring at the state
and institutional level and in the private sector. Testifying
before the committee were Mr. Scott Jenkins, Director of
External Relations, Western Governors University, Salt Lake
City, Utah; Dr. Pamela J. Tate, President and Chief Executive
Officer, Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, Chicago,
Illinois; Dr. Joann A. Boughman, Senior Vice Chancellor for
Academic Affairs, University System of Maryland, Adelphi,
Maryland; and Mr. Burck Smith, Chief Executive Officer and
Founder, StraighterLine, Baltimore, Maryland.
On September 11, 2013, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce
Training held a hearing in Washington, D.C., entitled ``Keeping
College Within Reach: Supporting Higher Education Opportunities
for America's Servicemembers and Veterans.'' The purpose of the
hearing was to examine the efforts of higher education to
improve postsecondary education opportunities for
servicemembers and veterans. Testifying before the subcommittee
were Mrs. Kimrey W. Rhinehardt, Vice President for Federal and
Military Affairs, The University of North Carolina, Chapel
Hill, North Carolina; Dr. Arthur F. Kirk, Jr., President, Saint
Leo University, Saint Leo, Florida; Dr. Russell S. Kitchner,
Vice President for Regulatory and Governmental Relations,
American Public University System, Charles Town, West Virginia;
and Dr. Ken Sauer, Senior Associate Commissioner for Research
and Academic Affairs, Indiana Commission for Higher Education,
Indianapolis, Indiana.
On September 18, 2013, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce
Training held a hearing in Washington, D.C., entitled ``Keeping
College Within Reach: Improving Access and Affordability
through Innovative Partnerships.'' The purpose of the hearing
was to examine the efforts of higher education institutions to
expand access and reduce costs by partnering with local
employers, other colleges, or online course providers.
Testifying before the subcommittee were Dr. Jeffrey Docking,
President, Adrian College, Adrian, Michigan; Ms. Paula R.
Singer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Laureate Global
Products and Services, Baltimore, Maryland; Dr. Rich Baraniuk,
Professor, Rice University, and Founder, Connexions, Houston,
Texas; and Dr. Charles Lee Isbell, Jr., Professor and Senior
Associate Dean, College of Computing, Georgia Institute of
Technology, Atlanta, Georgia.
On November 13, 2013, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce held a hearing in Washington, D.C., entitled
``Keeping College Within Reach: Simplifying Federal Student
Aid.'' The purpose of the hearing was to examine the need to
streamline, consolidate, and simplify federal student aid
programs. Testifying before the committee were Ms. Kristin D.
Conklin, Founding Partner, HCM Strategies, LLC, Washington,
D.C.; Dr. Sandy Baum, Research Professor of Education Policy,
George Washington University Graduate School of Education and
Human Development, and Senior Fellow, Urban Institute,
Washington, D.C.; Ms. Jennifer Mishory, J.D., Deputy Director,
Young Invincibles, Washington, D.C.; and Mr. Jason Delisle,
Director, Federal Education Budget Project, New America
Foundation, Washington, D.C.
On December 3, 2013, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce
Training held a hearing in Washington, D.C., entitled ``Keeping
College Within Reach: Strengthening Pell Grants for Future
Generations.'' The purpose of the hearing was to examine Pell
Grant program reform proposals to better target funds to the
neediest students and put the program on a fiscally responsible
and sustainable path. Testifying before the subcommittee were
Mr. Justin Draeger, President and Chief Executive Officer,
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators,
Washington, D.C.; Dr. Jenna Ashley Robinson, Director of
Outreach, John W. Pope Center for Higher Education Policy,
Raleigh, North Carolina; Mr. Michael Dannenberg, Director of
Higher Education and Education Finance Policy, The Education
Trust, Washington, D.C.; and Mr. Richard C. Heath, Director of
Student Financial Services, Anne Arundel Community College,
Arnold, Maryland.
Legislative action--First session
On May 9, 2013, Chairman John Kline (R-MN) and Higher
Education and Workforce Training Subcommittee Chairwoman
Virginia Foxx (R-NC) introduced H.R. 1911, the Smarter
Solutions for Students Act. The bill moved all federal student
loans (except Perkins loans) to a market-based interest rate.
On May 16, 2013, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce considered H.R. 1911 in legislative session and
reported it favorably, as amended, to the House of
Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 24 to 13.
The committee considered and adopted the following
amendment to H.R. 1911:
Subcommittee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC)
offered an amendment in the nature of a substitute to
make a technical change to the bill. The amendment was
adopted by voice vote.
The committee further considered the following amendments
to H.R. 1911, which were not adopted:
Rep. Joe Heck (R-NV) offered an amendment to
allocate a portion of the savings generated under the
bill to Pell Grants. The amendment was withdrawn.
Rep. Joe Heck (R-NV) offered an amendment to
provide the secretary of education with authority to
reduce the interest rate on student loans if a borrower
makes the first 48 payments on time. The amendment was
withdrawn.
Rep. John Tierney (D-MA) offered an
amendment to set the federal student loan interest
rates at the same rate the Federal Reserve charges to
banks for two years. The amendment failed by a vote of
14 to 23.
Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT) offered an
amendment to extend the 3.4 percent interest rate on
subsidized Stafford loans for two years. The amendment
failed by a vote of 15 to 21.
On May 23, 2013, the House of Representatives passed H.R.
1911 by a bipartisan vote of 221 to 198.
On July 24, 2013, the Senate passed a substitute version of
H.R. 1911, the Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act, by a
bipartisan vote of 81 to 18. The legislation allowed student
loan interest rates to reset once a year by the market, but
lock into a fixed rate once the loan is disbursed to the
student. Interest rates would be set using the following
formulas:
Undergraduate Stafford loans (subsidized and
unsubsidized): 10-year Treasury Note plus 2.05 percent,
capped at 8.25 percent.
Graduate Stafford loans: 10-year Treasury
Note plus 3.6 percent, capped at 9.5 percent
PLUS loans (graduate and parent): 10-year
Treasury Note plus 4.6 percent, capped at 10.5 percent.
On July 31, 2013, the House of Representatives agreed to
suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to H.R.
1911 by a bipartisan vote of 392 to 31.
On August 9, 2013, the President of the United States
signed H.R. 1911 into law (P.L. 113-28).
On May 13, 2013, Rep. Luke Messer (R-IN) introduced H.R.
1949, the Improving Postsecondary Education Data for Students
Act. The bill directed the secretary of education to convene an
Advisory Committee on Improving Postsecondary Education Data to
conduct a study on the factors students and families want,
need, and already consider when choosing a higher education
institution.
On May 16, 2013, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce considered H.R. 1949 in legislative session and
reported it favorably, as amended, to the House of
Representatives by a voice vote. The committee considered and
adopted the following amendment to H.R. 1949:
Rep. Luke Messer (R-IN) offered an amendment
in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 1949 to (1)
include individuals who represent undergraduate and
graduate education; college and career counselors at
secondary schools; experts in data policy, collection,
and use; and experts in labor markets on the list of
individuals required to be represented on the Advisory
Committee on Improving Postsecondary Education Data;
(2) ensure individuals on the advisory committee
represent economic, racial, and geographically diverse
populations; (3) require the advisory committee to
examine information related to the sources of financial
assistance, including federal student loans, as part of
the required aspects of the study; (4) require the
advisory committee to examine how information regarding
student outcomes should be disaggregated for first-
generation students; and (5) provide other conforming
and technical changes to the bill. The amendment was
adopted by voice vote.
On May 23, 2013, the House of Representatives agreed to
suspend the rules and pass H.R. 1949 by voice vote. The bill
was sent to the Senate and referred to the Senate Committee on
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
On July 10, 2013, Chairman John Kline (R-MN), Higher
Education and Workforce Training Subcommittee Chairwoman
Virginia Foxx (R-NC), and Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL) introduced
H.R. 2637, the Supporting Academic Freedom through Regulatory
Relief Act. The bill, which included the text of the Protecting
Academic Freedom in Higher Education Act (H.R. 2117) and the
Kline/Foxx/Hastings amendment to H.R. 1 from the 112th
Congress, repealed the credit hour, state authorization, and
gainful employment regulations and amended the statute to
clarify the incentive compensation regulation. Additionally,
the bill prohibited the U.S. Department of Education from
issuing related regulations until after Congress reauthorizes
the Higher Education Act.
On July 24, 2013, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce considered H.R. 2637 in legislative session and
reported it favorably, as amended, to the House of
Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 22 to 13.
The committee considered and adopted the following
amendment to H.R. 2637:
Subcommittee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC)
offered an amendment in the nature of a substitute to
change a subsection title in the legislation. The
amendment was adopted by voice vote.
The committee further considered the following amendment to
H.R. 2637, which was not adopted:
Rep. Tim Bishop (D-NY) offered an amendment
to strike the prohibition on the U.S. Department of
Education from issuing regulations related to state
authorization, gainful employment, and credit hour. The
amendment failed by a vote of 13 to 22.
Hearings--Second session
On January 28, 2014, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce
Training held a hearing in Washington, D.C., entitled ``Keeping
College Within Reach: Sharing Best Practices for Serving Low-
Income and First Generation Students.'' The purpose of the
hearing was to highlight best practices at institutions of
higher education for serving low-income and first generation
students. Testifying before the subcommittee were Dr. James
Anderson, Chancellor, Fayetteville State University,
Fayetteville, North Carolina; Mrs. Mary Beth Del Balzo, Senior
Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, The
College of Westchester, White Plains, New York; Mr. Josse Alex
Garrido, Graduate Student, University of Texas--Pan American,
Edinburg, Texas; and Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, President,
DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois.
On February 27, 2013, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and
Secondary Education and Subcommittee on Higher Education and
Workforce Training held a joint hearing in Washington, D.C.,
entitled ``Exploring Efforts to Strengthen the Teaching
Profession.'' The purpose of the hearing was to discuss the
state of teacher preparation nationwide. Testifying before the
subcommittees were Dr. Deborah A. Gist, Commissioner, Rhode
Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education,
Providence, Rhode Island; Dr. Marcy Singer-Gabella, Professor
of the Practice of Education, Vanderbilt University, Nashville,
Tennessee; Dr. Heather Peske, Associate Commissioner for
Educator Quality, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and
Secondary Education, Malden, Massachusetts; and Ms. Christina
Hall, Co-Founder and Co-Director, Urban Teacher Center,
Baltimore, Maryland.
On March 12, 2014, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce
Training held a hearing in Washington, D.C., entitled
``Examining the Mismanagement of the Student Loan
Rehabilitation Process.'' The purpose of the hearing was to
examine the U.S. Department of Education's ability to oversee
the processing of rehabilitated loans issued under the Direct
Loan program. Testifying before the subcommittee were Ms.
Melissa Emrey-Arras, Director of Education, Workforce, and
Income Security Issues, U.S. Government Accountability Office,
Boston, Massachusetts; The Honorable Kathleen Tighe, Inspector
General, Department of Education, Washington, D.C.; Mr. James
Runcie, Chief Operating Officer, Federal Student Aid, U.S.
Department of Education, Washington, D.C.; and Ms. Peg Julius,
Executive Director of Enrollment Management, Kirkwood Community
College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
On March 20, 2014, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce held a hearing in Mesa, Arizona, entitled ``Reviving
our Economy: Supporting a 21st Century Workforce.'' The purpose
of the hearing was to explore the role of local higher
education institutions in fostering job creation and growth
through innovative partnerships with the business community and
new modes of teaching delivery. Testifying before the committee
were The Honorable Rick Heumann, Vice Mayor, City of Chandler,
Arizona; Ms. Cathleen Barton, Education Manager, Intel
Corporate Affairs, Southwestern United States, Intel
Corporation, Chandler, Arizona; Mr. Lee D. Lambert, J.D.,
Chancellor, Pima Community College, Tucson, Arizona; Dr.
William Pepicello, President, University of Phoenix, Tempe,
Arizona; Dr. Michael Crow, President, Arizona State University,
Tempe, Arizona; Dr. Ann Weaver Hart, President, The University
of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona; Dr. Ernest A. Lara, President,
Estrella Mountain Community College, Avondale, Arizona; and Ms.
Christy Farley, Vice President of Government Affairs and
Business Partnerships, Northern Arizona University, Phoenix,
Arizona.
On April 2, 2014, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce held a hearing in Washington, D.C., entitled
``Keeping College Within Reach: Meeting the Needs of
Contemporary Students.'' The purpose of the hearing was to
examine how institutions, states, and other entities assist
contemporary college students in accessing and completing
postsecondary education. Testifying before the committee were
Dr. George A. Pruitt, President, Thomas Edison State College,
Trenton, New Jersey; Dr. Kevin Gilligan, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, Capella Education Company, Minneapolis,
Minnesota; Mr. David Moldoff, Chief Executive Officer and
Founder, AcademyOne, Inc., West Chester, Pennsylvania; Dr.
Joann A. Boughman, Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs,
University System of Maryland, Adelphi, Maryland; Mr. Stan
Jones, President, Complete College America, Indianapolis,
Indiana; and Dr. Brooks A. Keel, President, Georgia Southern
University, Statesboro, Georgia.
Legislative action--Second session
On September 19, 2013, Rep. Matt Salmon (R-AZ), Rep. Susan
Brooks (R-IN), and Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) introduced H.R.
3136, the Advancing Competency-Based Education Demonstration
Project Act of 2013. The bill directs the secretary of
education to select institutions or consortia of institutions
for voluntary participation in competency-based education
demonstration projects that provide participating entities with
the ability to offer competency-based education programs that
do not meet certain statutory and regulatory requirements which
would otherwise prevent them from participating in federal
student aid programs.
On July 10, 2014, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce considered H.R. 3136 in legislative session and
reported it favorably, as amended, to the House of
Representatives by a voice vote. The committee considered and
adopted the following amendment to H.R. 3136:
Rep. Matt Salmon (R-AZ) and Rep. Jared Polis
(D-CO) offered an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to add certain requirements to the
applications to participate in a competency-based
education project, allow eligible entities to submit
amendments to their previously-approved applications,
set requirements for the entities the secretary must
choose to participate in the programs, require
institutions to provide student information to the
director of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES),
require the director of IES to annually evaluate each
project and provide a report with specified information
to the authorizing committees, authorize funds to be
available from the amount appropriated for salaries and
expenses of the Department of Education, and make
conforming and technical changes to the introduced
bill. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.
The committee further considered the following amendment to
H.R. 2637, which was not adopted:
Rep. Tierney (D-MA) offered an amendment
that would allow students with federal student loans
and private student loans issued prior to 2013 to
refinance those loans into new federal loans at the
interest rate set for the 2013-2014 academic year. The
amendment was ruled non-germane. Rep. George Miller (D-
CA) appealed the ruling of the chair. Rep. Glenn
Thompson (R-PA) offered a motion to table the appeal of
the ruling of the chair, which was adopted by a vote of
22 to 16.
On June 26, 2014, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Rep. Luke
Messer (R-IN) introduced H.R. 4983, the Strengthening
Transparency in Higher Education Act. The bill simplifies and
streamlines the information made publicly available by the
Secretary of Education regarding institutions of higher
education.
On July 10, 2014, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce considered H.R. 4983 in legislative session and
reported it favorably, as amended, to the House of
Representatives by a voice vote. The committee considered and
adopted the following amendment to H.R. 4983:
Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) offered an
amendment in the nature of a substitute to require
additional information on the College Dashboard,
require the secretary of education to conduct consumer
testing in consultation with appropriate federal
departments and agencies, ensure consumer testing
addresses whether the College Dashboard provides useful
and relevant information to students and families,
require the secretary of education to submit to the
authorizing committees recommendations based on the
results of consumer testing, set new minimum
requirements for net price calculators, require funding
to come from funds already appropriated to maintain the
College Navigator, and make other conforming and
technical changes. The amendment was adopted by voice
vote.
The committee further considered the following amendment to
H.R. 4983, which was not adopted:
Rep. George Miller (D-CA) offered an
amendment that would require the commissioner of
education statistics to establish a formula for
determining the percentage of student borrowers who
have completed their course of study and who are in
repayment or in an authorized deferment period at
three, five and 10 years after completion of a program
of study. The amendment failed by a vote of 13 to 21.
On June 26, 2014, Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Rep.
Richard Hudson (R-NC) introduced H.R. 4984, the Empowering
Students through Enhanced Financial Counseling Act. The bill
amends the loan counseling requirements under the Higher
Education Act and requires counseling for Federal Pell Grant
recipients.
On July 10, 2014, the Committee on Education and the
Workforce considered H.R. 4984 in legislative session and
reported it favorably, as amended, to the House of
Representatives by voice vote. The committee considered and
adopted the following amendment to H.R. 4984:
Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Rep. Suzanne
Bonamici (D-OR) offered an amendment in the nature of a
substitute to remove the requirement that annual
counseling for Pell Grant recipients be tied to
disbursement of the grant, require additional
information be disclosed to borrowers during annual
counseling and exit counseling sessions, require
institutions to provide annual counseling to borrowers
receiving Parent PLUS loans, require any funds used to
carry out the act to come from funds already
appropriated to maintain the Financial Awareness
Counseling Tool, and make conforming and technical
changes. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.
The committee further considered the following amendment to
H.R. 4984, which was not adopted:
Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA) offered an amendment
to modify the rule requiring for-profit colleges to
receive at least 10 percent of their revenue from
sources other than the Department of Education to
remain eligible for federal student aid to include all
federal aid, including veterans' educational benefits
and some Workforce Investment Act funds, in the 90
percent portion of the calculation and only private
funds in the 10 percent portion of the calculation. The
amendment was ruled non-germane. Rep. George Miller (D-
CA) appealed the ruling of the chair. Rep. Glenn
Thompson (R-PA) offered a motion to table the appeal of
the ruling of the chair, which was adopted by a vote of
20 to 13.
Summary
The Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act
would begin to streamline the overwhelming maze of consumer
information about institutions of higher education provided to
students and families by the federal government through a
consumer-tested, internet-based ``College Dashboard'' website.
The College Dashboard would provide students with key pieces of
prominently displayed information on enrollment, completion,
net price, and average loan debt. The College Dashboard also
would provide wage data collected by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics and a link to campus safety information. The College
Dashboard would provide consumers with additional disaggregated
enrollment and completion information on key populations of
students.
The secretary of education is currently only required to
publish information regarding first-time students who attend
classes full-time, ignoring the majority of the current college
population. To ensure the federal government provides a more
complete picture of the higher education landscape, the
legislation would require the commissioner of education
statistics to ensure completion data is reflective of all
students, both traditional and contemporary students alike.
Additionally, the legislation would allow students to easily
compare institutions as they make their college decisions and
would require the secretary of education to provide a link to
the College Dashboard page for each institution listed on a
student's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
form. To avoid duplication and reduce confusion for students,
the legislation directs the secretary of education to
coordinate with other federal agencies to ensure all published
higher education data is consistent with information available
on the College Dashboard.
The legislation improves existing institutional net price
calculators to ensure students are able to find easily the
calculators and to understand information provided by the
calculators. Calculators must now be clearly labeled as a net
price calculator, and they must be prominently, clearly, and
conspicuously posted on institution's website where other
information on costs and student aid is available. Calculators
must provide information on net price, cost of attendance,
available grant aid, and veterans' educational benefits. The
legislation would prohibit any personally identifiable
information provided by users on institutional net price
calculators from being sold or made available to third parties.
Committee Views
Introduction
Selecting a college or university is a personal decision
for students and their families. To assist them, the federal
government has taken steps in recent years to improve data
collection and transparency in higher education. The Higher
Education Opportunity Act, the 2008 reauthorization of the
Higher Education Act (HEA), required colleges and universities
to make information about price, financial aid, and basic facts
and figures, such as student demographics and graduation rates,
readily available to the public. There also are numerous other
federal transparency initiatives currently available to
students and their families, both authorized under the HEA and
created by various federal entities. However, instead of
providing clarity, these initiatives often add more confusion
by presenting conflicting or redundant information with limited
opportunity to compare different education options. To further
complicate matters, available data does not include a large
portion of the current college-going population or capture all
crucial information students and families need to view and
understand the entire landscape of higher education.
Despite attempts by the federal government to improve data
collection and transparency in the higher education system,
students and families still struggle to access and understand
information helpful in selecting the right postsecondary
institution for their unique situations. Meanwhile, higher
education leaders have raised concerns about the overwhelming
amount of federal data and reporting requirements, some of
which are duplicative of state and local efforts and may
partially contribute to the increase in college costs.
Ensuring straightforward and useful college data
To help provide students and families with the information
they need to make smart decisions about their higher education
options, Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce
Training Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Rep. Luke Messer
(R-IN) introduced H.R. 4983, the Strengthening Transparency in
Higher Education Act. The legislation would streamline the
majority of federal transparency initiatives authorized under
the HEA into one consumer-tested College Dashboard website that
would prominently display the key pieces of information
students need when deciding which school to attend.
During an April 24, 2013, hearing entitled ``Keeping
College Within Reach: Enhancing Transparency for Students,
Families, and Taxpayers,'' the Subcommittee on Higher Education
and Workforce Training explored opportunities to streamline and
improve higher education data for students. At the hearing, Mr.
Travis Reindl, program director for the education division at
the National Governors Association, urged Congress to take up
such an effort:
Simpler and clearer should be a goal for federal
efforts. The upcoming reauthorization of the Higher
Education Act provides a prime opportunity for the
[sic] Congress to review all of the existing
dashboards, report cards, and data tools for
postsecondary education to determine whether and how
they are being used and if there are opportunities for
streamlining or consolidation.\1\
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\1\http://edworkforce.house.gov/calendar/
eventsingle.aspx?EventID=308347.
Recognizing the reauthorization of the HEA as an
opportunity for the committee to re-evaluate the usefulness of
some federal transparency initiatives and data collections,
H.R. 4983 repeals the College Navigator, the College
Affordability and Transparency Lists, the State Higher
Education Spending Chart, and the Multi-year Tuition
Calculator. Under the bill, the secretary would no longer be
required to collect and publish information on institutions a
student could easily find on the institution's website, such as
institutional mission, average college admission test scores,
percentage of students accepted each year, number of degrees
awarded, and most popular majors offered. Instead, H.R. 4983
would create a streamlined and consumer-tested College
Dashboard that prominently displays only the crucial data
points on each institution that students and families need to
begin to make an informed decision, such as the size and type
of the institution, the net price to attend, the average
federal student loan debt of a borrower upon graduation, and
the completion rates of students who attend the institution.
Additionally, the legislation would ensure the College
Dashboard allows students to easily compare this information
for different institutions.
The committee appreciates the value of the various non-
federal efforts available to students that provide consumer
information, for example the College Portrait, which was
created as a part of Voluntary System of Accountability
developed by the Association of Public and Land-grant
Universities and the American Association of State Colleges,
and the University & College Accountability Network (U-CAN),
which was created by the National Association of Independent
Colleges and Universities. The committee continues to believe
institutions of higher education are an important resource for
providing current and potential students with information they
need and want to know, and they should continue to provide
students relevant information through efforts like those
described above and on the individual websites.
The committee notes there are a number of federal agencies
in addition to the U.S. Department of Education that collect
and publicly report information on colleges and universities,
including, but not limited to, the U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the Consumer
Financial Protection Bureau. To avoid duplication and reduce
confusion for students, H.R. 4983 directs the secretary of
education to coordinate with these other federal agencies to
ensure all published higher education data is consistent with
information available on the College Dashboard.
Making higher education data relevant for contemporary students
Over the last 10 years, the dynamics of higher education
have shifted dramatically. According to the National Center for
Education Statistics (NCES), non-traditional or contemporary
students now comprise a majority of all undergraduates. This
trend is expected to continue in the coming years; in fact,
NCES expects enrollments of students older than 25 will rise by
20 percent between 2010 and 2020.\2\ Despite their growing
majority, these contemporary students are largely ignored in
the current higher education data collection efforts. Under
current law, the secretary of education is only required to
publish information regarding first-time students who attend
classes full-time, generally leaving out those students who are
older and have families or jobs and who often go to school
part-time or have previous college experience. To ensure the
federal government provides a complete picture of the higher
education landscape, the Strengthening Transparency in Higher
Education Act would require the commissioner of education
statistics to ensure completion data is reflective all of
students, both traditional and contemporary students. H.R. 4983
also would require the publishing of information on the cost
per credit hour, or the credit hour equivalency, on the College
Dashboard, so students who attend school less than full-time
would now be able to have a more relevant cost estimate.
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\2\http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=98.
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The committee appreciates the effort by the higher
education community to create better and more comprehensive
completion metrics that include a larger percentage of the
current college-going population. Particularly, the committee
believes the Student Achievement Measure\3\ and the efforts of
the Committee on Measures for Student Success provide a good
foundation for the commissioner's development of more robust
completion metrics. The committee expects the commissioner
would consult these entities and others during the development
of the metrics.
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\3\http://www.studentachievementmeasure.org/.
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For students and families to know more about a particular
institution, the College Dashboard, on subsequent pages linked
to the main page, would provide consumers with additional
disaggregated enrollment and completion information on key
populations of students. For the first time, institutions would
be required to report on the completion by Pell Grant
recipients as well as borrowers of both subsidized and
unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford loans. In the last year
alone, the federal government spent more than $135 billion on
federal student aid,\4\ yet we have no data on whether these
dollars are actually helping students graduate. H.R. 4983 would
begin to help not only students and families, but also
taxpayers and policymakers understand the impact of federal
student aid dollars.
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\4\Trends in Student Aid, The CollegeBoard, 2013, available at
http://trends.collegeboard.org/sites/default/files/student-aid-2013-
full-report-140108.pdf.
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In recent years, states, researchers, business leaders, and
members of Congress also have discussed the possibility of
reporting the salaries of college graduates from public and
private universities. However, the committee is concerned the
reporting of post-graduation earnings data currently is not
feasible for institutions and would place an enormous burden on
institutions if required to do so. Additionally, the committee
has significant concerns about the implications on student
privacy of requiring this type of data collection. Furthermore,
the committee believes earnings data alone is not necessarily
an appropriate measure by which students and families can
assess the value of an institution. At the April 24, 2013,
Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training hearing
entitled ``Keeping College Within Reach: Enhancing Transparency
for Students, Families, and Taxpayers,'' Dr. Donald Heller,
dean of the college of education at Michigan State University,
noted the potential complications with relying solely on post-
graduation earnings to determine the value of a college or
university:
While there are important vocational training
components of many postsecondary programs, a college
education--whether it is one that leads to a bachelor's
degree or not--confers returns to the individual and
society that cannot be valued only by the simple
measurement of an individual's wages in her first job
after college.
However, as college costs continue to increase, the
committee recognizes the importance of giving potential
students a picture of the type of return they can expect on
their investment in higher education. H.R. 4983 requires the
secretary of education to provide a link to data from the
Bureau of Labor Statistics on national and regional starting
salaries for each occupation on each institution's College
Dashboard page. The committee believes the Department of
Labor's Career One Stop website (http://www.careeronestop.org/
SalariesBenefits/Sal--default.aspx) displays this information
in a way that students and families can easily understand, and
the committee suggests using this link on the College
Dashboard. This information would allow students to see what
they could potentially earn in a particular occupation and then
to decide if those potential earnings match up to the cost of
the institution under consideration.
Ensuring effective delivery of information to students and families
The Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act
would require the secretary of education, in consultation with
other relevant agencies, to conduct consumer testing of the
College Dashboard with relevant stakeholders, such as current
and prospective college students, family members of students,
institutions of higher education, and higher education experts,
to ensure information on the dashboard is presented in the most
user-friendly manner possible to assist students and families
searching for the institution of higher education that best
fits their unique needs. Based on the consumer testing, the
secretary of education would be required to report to Congress
any recommendations for needed changes to the information
required to be provided on the College Dashboard.
Despite the deluge of federal resources available, when
interviewed, students and families often cite different areas
and modes of research than what policymakers in Washington
believe they should be examining. Students often rely on
information from friends, family, or directly from
institutions, or they simply choose the school closest to their
homes. More often than not, students and families rely on
information based on personalized effects, rather than
empirical information provided by the federal government. At
the April 24, 2013, Subcommittee on Higher Education and
Workforce Training hearing, Mr. Alexander Garrido, a student at
Keiser University in Miami, Florida, stated, ``I was not aware
of any navigation tools from the Department of Education, which
was why my decision was based mostly on my visit and the
support of my friends and family.''\5\
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\5\http://edworkforce.house.gov/calendar/
eventsingle.aspx?EventID=330710.
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Recognizing many students are simply unaware of the
resources provided by the federal government to assist in their
college search, H.R. 4983 instructs the secretary of education
to provide a link to the College Dashboard page for each
institution listed on a student's FAFSA form. This would ensure
students are provided with the information they need to make
knowledgeable decisions about college options at the time they
are actually making those decisions.
At the same hearing, Dr. Donald Heller summarized the
current task before policymakers:
[T]he Internet has greatly helped to democratize
access to information. What it has not done as
successfully, however, has been to help people get
access to the right information to meet their needs.
And it is critical that we help prospective students to
get the right information in their hands at the
necessary times.\6\
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\6\Ibid.
Students and families may be deterred from using federal
transparency resources for a variety of reasons, including
their exceptional length or complicated and inconsistent
delivery of information. The Strengthening Transparency in
Higher Education Act would ensure the information required to
be provided by the U.S. Department of Education is not only
helpful information, but also that it is easily understood and
provided to students at the appropriate time.
Conclusion
With over 6,000 public, private, non-profit, and
proprietary institutions of higher education, the American
higher education system affords students from all backgrounds
opportunities to find the institutions that meet their unique
needs. The Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act
would take an important step toward strengthening our higher
education system by improving transparency and ensuring all
students and families have access to the information they need
to make the best decisions about their education.
Section-by-Section Analysis
Section 1. Short title
States the short title is the Strengthening Transparency in
Higher Education Act.
Section 2. College Dashboard website
Amends section 132 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to
ensure published transparency data includes information about
more than just first-time students and repeals the College
Navigator, the College Affordability and Transparency Lists,
the State Higher Education Spending Chart, and the Multi-year
Tuition Calculator required under section 132.
Directs the secretary of education to develop and make
publicly available a ``College Dashboard'' website that
includes information on enrollment, completion, cost, financial
aid, and faculty listed in simple and understandable terms for
each institution of higher education that participates in a
program under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
Directs the secretary of education to conduct consumer
testing to ensure the College Dashboard is usable, easily
understandable, and provides useful and relevant information to
students and families. Requires the secretary of education to
submit to the authorizing committees any recommendations based
on the results of consumer testing for changing the information
required to be provided on the College Dashboard.
Requires the secretary of education to provide to each
student submitting a FAFSA a link to the webpage of the College
Dashboard website for each institution of higher education the
student includes on the FAFSA.
Directs the secretary of education to coordinate with other
federal agencies to ensure all published higher education data
is consistent with information available on the College
Dashboard.
Section 3. Net price calculators
Amends section 132 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to
set minimum requirements for net price calculators regarding
their design, placement on institutions' websites, and
information required to be included.
Prohibits any personally identifiable information provided
by users on institutional net price calculators from being sold
or made available to third parties.
Section 4. Funding
Provides for $1,000,000 of the funds authorized to be
appropriated to the U.S. Department of Education to maintain
the College Navigator website to carry out this act, and
specifies no additional funds are authorized to be appropriated
by this act.
Explanation of Amendments
The amendments, including the amendment in the nature of a
substitute, are explained in the body of this report.
Application of Law to the Legislative Branch
Section 102(b)(3) of Public Law 104-1 requires a
description of the application of this bill to the legislative
branch. H.R. 4983 streamlines and improves the information made
available by the secretary of education about institutions of
higher education in order to help students and families make
more informed decisions about postsecondary education options.
Unfunded Mandate Statement
Section 423 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment
Control Act (as amended by Section 101(a)(2) of the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act, P.L. 104-4) requires a statement of
whether the provisions of the reported bill include unfunded
mandates. This issue is addressed in the CBO letter.
Earmark Statement
H.R. 4983 does not contain any congressional earmarks,
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in
clause 9 of House Rule XXI.
Roll Call Votes
Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives requires the Committee Report to include for
each record vote on a motion to report the measure or matter
and on any amendments offered to the measure or matter the
total number of votes for and against and the names of the
Members voting for and against.
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives
In accordance with clause (3)(c) of House rule XIII, the
goal of H.R. 4983 is to streamline and improve the information
made available by the secretary of education about institutions
of higher education in order to help students and families make
more informed decisions about postsecondary education options.
Duplication of Federal Programs
No provision of H.R. 4983 establishes or reauthorizes a
program of the Federal Government known to be duplicative of
another Federal program, a program that was included in any
report from the Government Accountability Office to Congress
pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139, or a program
related to a program identified in the most recent Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance.
Disclosure of Directed Rule Makings
The committee estimates that enacting H.R. 4983 does not
specifically direct the completion of any specific rule makings
within the meaning of 5 U.S.C. 551.
Statement of Oversight Findings and Recommendations of the Committee
In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause
2(b)(1) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives,
the committee's oversight findings and recommendations are
reflected in the body of this report.
New Budget Authority and CBO Cost Estimate
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(2) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section
308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and with respect
to requirements of clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives and section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the committee has received
the following estimate for H.R. 4983 from the Director of the
Congressional Budget Office:
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, July 15, 2014.
Hon. John Kline,
Chairman, Committee on Education and the Workforce,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 4983, the
Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Justin
Humphrey.
Sincerely,
Douglas W. Elmendorf.
Enclosure.
H.R. 4983--Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act
H.R. 4983 would reserve $1 million from funding for the
Department of Education to replace the current College
Navigator website with a new website and change the type of
information that the website would need to provide. The bill
also would amend the requirements for the department's net-
price calculator, which provides details on the costs of post-
secondary education.
CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 4983 would require $1
million for administrative costs for the department over the
2015-2019 period, assuming the availability of appropriated
funds.
Enacting the bill would not affect direct spending or
revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
H.R. 4983 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and
would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Justin Humphrey.
This estimate was approved by Peter H. Fontaine, Assistant
Director for Budget Analysis.
Committee Cost Estimate
Clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives requires an estimate and a comparison of the
costs that would be incurred in carrying out H.R. 4983.
However, clause 3(d)(2)(B) of that rule provides that this
requirement does not apply when the committee has included in
its report a timely submitted cost estimate of the bill
prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office
under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act.
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is
proposed is shown in roman):
HIGHER EDUCATION ACT OF 1965
* * * * * * *
TITLE I--GENERAL PROVISIONS
* * * * * * *
PART C--COST OF HIGHER EDUCATION
* * * * * * *
SEC. 131. IMPROVEMENTS IN MARKET INFORMATION AND PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY
IN HIGHER EDUCATION.
(a) * * *
* * * * * * *
(h) No User Fees for Department Financial Aid Websites.--No
fee shall be charged to any individual to access--
(1) a database or website of the Department that
provides information about higher education programs or
student financial assistance, including the [College
Navigator] College Dashboard website (or successor
website) and the websites and databases described in
this section and section 132; or
* * * * * * *
SEC. 132. TRANSPARENCY IN COLLEGE TUITION FOR CONSUMERS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
[(1) College navigator website.-- The term ``College
Navigator website'' means the College Navigator website
operated by the Department and includes any successor
website.]
(1) College dashboard website.-- The term ``College
Dashboard website'' means the College Dashboard website
required under subsection (d).
(2) Cost of attendance.-- The term ``cost of
attendance'' means the average annual cost of tuition
and fees, room and board, books, supplies, and
transportation for an institution of higher education
for a [first-time,] full-time undergraduate student
enrolled in the institution.
(3) Net price.-- The term ``net price'' means the
average yearly price actually charged to [first-time,]
full-time undergraduate students receiving student aid
at an institution of higher education after deducting
such aid, which shall be determined by calculating the
difference between--
(A) * * *
* * * * * * *
(4) Tuition and fees.-- The term ``tuition and fees''
means the average annual cost of tuition and fees for
an institution of higher education for [first-time,]
full-time undergraduate students enrolled in the
institution.
(b) Calculations for Public Institutions.--In making the
calculations regarding cost of attendance, net price, and
tuition and fees under this section with respect to a public
institution of higher education, the Secretary shall calculate
the cost of attendance, net price, and tuition and fees at such
institution in the manner described in subsection (a), except
that--
(1) the cost of attendance, net price, and tuition
and fees shall be calculated for [first-time], full-
time undergraduate students enrolled in the institution
who are residents of the State in which such
institution is located; and
(2) in determining the net price, the average need-
based grant aid and merit-based grant aid described in
subsection (a)(3)(B) shall be calculated based on the
average total amount of such aid received by [first-
time], full-time undergraduate students who are
residents of the State in which such institution is
located, divided by the total number of such resident
students receiving such need-based grant aid or merit-
based grant aid at such institution.
[(c) College Affordability and Transparency Lists.--
[(1) Availability of lists.-- Beginning July 1, 2011,
the Secretary shall make publicly available on the
College Navigator website, in a manner that is sortable
and searchable by State, the following:
[(A) A list of the five percent of
institutions in each category described in
subsection (d) that have the highest tuition
and fees for the most recent academic year for
which data are available.
[(B) A list of the five percent of
institutions in each such category that have
the highest net price for the most recent
academic year for which data are available.
[(C) A list of the five percent of
institutions in each such category that have
the largest increase, expressed as a percentage
change, in tuition and fees over the most
recent three academic years for which data are
available, using the first academic year of the
three-year period as the base year to compute
such percentage change.
[(D) A list of the five percent of
institutions in each such category that have
the largest increase, expressed as a percentage
change, in net price over the most recent three
academic years for which data are available,
using the first academic year of the three-year
period as the base year to compute such
percentage change.
[(E) A list of the ten percent of
institutions in each such category that have
the lowest tuition and fees for the most recent
academic year for which data are available.
[(F) A list of the ten percent of
institutions in each such category that have
the lowest net price for the most recent
academic year for which data are available.
[(2) Annual updates.-- The Secretary shall annually
update the lists described in paragraph (1) on the
College Navigator website.
[(d) Categories of Institutions.--The lists described in
subsection (c)(1) shall be compiled according to the following
categories of institutions that participate in programs under
title IV:
[(1) Four-year public institutions of higher
education.
[(2) Four-year private, nonprofit institutions of
higher education.
[(3) Four-year private, for-profit institutions of
higher education.
[(4) Two-year public institutions of higher
education.
[(5) Two-year private, nonprofit institutions of
higher education.
[(6) Two-year private, for-profit institutions of
higher education.
[(7) Less than two-year public institutions of higher
education.
[(8) Less than two-year private, nonprofit
institutions of higher education.
[(9) Less than two-year private, for-profit
institutions of higher education.
[(e) Reports by Institutions.--
[(1) Report to secretary.-- If an institution of
higher education is included on a list described in
subparagraph (C) or (D) of subsection (c)(1), the
institution shall submit to the Secretary a report
containing the following information:
[(A) A description of the major areas in the
institution's budget with the greatest cost
increases.
[(B) An explanation of the cost increases
described in subparagraph (A).
[(C) A description of the steps the
institution will take toward the goal of
reducing costs in the areas described in
subparagraph (A).
[(D) In the case of an institution that is
included on the same list under subparagraph
(C) or (D) of subsection (c)(1) for two or more
consecutive years, a description of the
progress made on the steps described in
subparagraph (C) of this paragraph that were
included in the institution's report for the
previous year.
[(E) If the determination of any cost
increase described in subparagraph (A) is not
within the exclusive control of the
institution--
[(i) an explanation of the extent to
which the institution participates in
determining such cost increase;
[(ii) the identification of the
agency or instrumentality of State
government responsible for determining
such cost increase; and
[(iii) any other information the
institution considers relevant to the
report.
[(2) Information to the public.-- The Secretary
shall--
[(A) issue an annual report that summarizes
all of the reports by institutions required
under paragraph (1) to the authorizing
committees; and
[(B) publish such report on the College
Navigator website.
[(f) Exemptions.--
[(1) In general.-- An institution shall not be placed
on a list described in subparagraph (C) or (D) of
subsection (c)(1), and shall not be subject to the
reporting required under subsection (e), if the dollar
amount of the institution's increase in tuition and
fees, or net price, as applicable, is less than $600
for the three-year period described in such
subparagraph.
[(2) Update.-- Beginning in 2014, and every three
years thereafter, the Secretary shall update the dollar
amount described in paragraph (1) based on annual
increases in inflation, using the Consumer Price Index
for each of the three most recent preceding years.
[(g) State Higher Education Spending Chart.--The Secretary
shall annually report on the College Navigator website, in
charts for each State, comparisons of--
[(1) the percentage change in spending by such State
per full-time equivalent student at all public
institutions of higher education in such State, for
each of the five most recent preceding academic years;
[(2) the percentage change in tuition and fees for
such students for all public institutions of higher
education in such State for each of the five most
recent preceding academic years; and
[(3) the percentage change in the total amount of
need-based aid and merit-based aid provided by such
State to full-time students enrolled in the public
institutions of higher education in the State for each
of the five most recent preceding academic years.]
[(h)] (c) Net Price Calculator.--
(1) * * *
* * * * * * *
(4) Minimum requirements for net price calculators.--
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment
of the Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education
Act, a net price calculator for an institution of
higher education shall meet the following requirements:
(A) The link for the calculator shall--
(i) be clearly labeled as a net price
calculator and prominently, clearly,
and conspicuously posted in locations
on the website of such institution
where information on costs and aid is
provided and any other location that
the institution considers appropriate;
and
(ii) match in size and font to the
other prominent links on the webpage
where the link for the calculator is
displayed.
(B) The webpage displaying the results for
the calculator shall specify at least the
following information:
(i) The net price (as calculated
under subsection (a)(2)) for such
institution, which shall be the most
visually prominent figure on the
results screen.
(ii) Cost of attendance, including--
(I) tuition and fees;
(II) average annual cost of
room and board for the
institution for a full-time
undergraduate student enrolled
in the institution;
(III) average annual cost of
books and supplies for a full-
time undergraduate student
enrolled in the institution;
and
(IV) estimated cost of other
expenses (including personal
expenses and transportation)
for a full-time undergraduate
student enrolled in the
institution.
(iii) Estimated total need-based
grant aid and merit-based grant aid
from Federal, State, and institutional
sources that may be available to a
full-time undergraduate student.
(iv) Percentage of the full-time
undergraduate students enrolled in the
institution that received any type of
grant aid described in clause (iii).
(v) The disclaimer described in
paragraph (6).
(vi) In the case of a calculator
that--
(I) includes questions to
estimate the eligibility of a
student or prospective student
for veterans' education
benefits (as defined in section
480) or educational benefits
for active duty service
members, such benefits are
displayed on the results screen
in a manner that clearly
distinguishes such benefits
from the grant aid described in
clause (iii); or
(II) does not include
questions to estimate
eligibility for the benefits
described in subclause (I), the
results screen indicates that
certain students (or
prospective students) may
qualify for such benefits and
includes a link to information
about such benefits.
(C) The institution shall populate the
calculator with data from not later than 2
academic years prior to the most recent
academic year.
(5) Prohibition on use of data collected by the net
price calculator.-- A net price calculator for an
institution of higher education shall--
(A) clearly indicate which questions are
required to be completed for an estimate of the
net price from the calculator;
(B) in the case of a calculator that requests
contact information from users, clearly mark
such requests as optional and provide for an
estimate of the net price from the calculator
without requiring users to enter such
information; and
(C) prohibit any personally identifiable
information provided by users from being sold
or made available to third parties.
[(4)] (6) Disclaimer.-- Estimates of an individual
net price determined using a net price calculator
required under paragraph (3) shall be accompanied by a
clear and conspicuous notice--
(A) * * *
* * * * * * *
[ (i) Consumer Information.--
[(1) Availability of title iv institution
information.-- Not later than one year after the date
of enactment of theHigher Education Opportunity Act,
the Secretary shall make publicly available on the
College Navigator website, in simple and understandable
terms, the following information about each institution
of higher education that participates in programs under
title IV, for the most recent academic year for which
satisfactory data are available:
[(A) A statement of the institution's
mission.
[(B) The total number of undergraduate
students who applied to, were admitted by, and
enrolled in the institution.
[(C) For institutions that require SAT or ACT
scores to be submitted, the reading, writing,
mathematics, and combined scores on the SAT or
ACT, as applicable, for the middle 50 percent
range of the institution's freshman class.
[(D) The number of first-time, full-time, and
part-time students enrolled at the institution,
at the undergraduate and (if applicable)
graduate levels.
[(E) The number of degree- or certificate-
seeking undergraduate students enrolled at the
institution who have transferred from another
institution.
[(F) The percentages of male and female
undergraduate students enrolled at the
institution.
[(G) Of the first-time, full-time, degree- or
certificate-seeking undergraduate students
enrolled at the institution--
[(i) the percentage of such students
who are from the State in which the
institution is located;
[(ii) the percentage of such students
who are from other States; and
[(iii) the percentage of such
students who are international
students.
[(H) The percentages of first-time, full-
time, degree- or certificate-seeking students
enrolled at the institution, disaggregated by
race and ethnic background.
[(I) The percentage of undergraduate students
enrolled at the institution who are formally
registered with the office of disability
services of the institution (or the equivalent
office) as students with disabilities, except
that if such percentage is three percent or
less, the institution shall report ``three
percent or less''.
[(J) The percentages of first-time, full-
time, degree- or certificate-seeking
undergraduate students enrolled at the
institution who obtain a degree or certificate
within--
[(i) the normal time for completion
of, or graduation from, the student's
program;
[(ii) 150 percent of the normal time
for completion of, or graduation from,
the student's program; and
[(iii) 200 percent of the normal time
for completion of, or graduation from,
the student's program;
[(K) The number of certificates, associate
degrees, baccalaureate degrees, master's
degrees, professional degrees, and doctoral
degrees awarded by the institution.
[(L) The undergraduate major areas of study
at the institution with the highest number of
degrees awarded.
[(M) The student-faculty ratio, the number of
full-time and part-time faculty, and the number
of graduate assistants with primarily
instructional responsibilities, at the
institution.
[(N)(i) The cost of attendance for first-
time, full-time undergraduate students enrolled
in the institution who live on campus;
[(ii) the cost of attendance for first-time,
full-time undergraduate students enrolled in
the institution who live off campus; and
[(iii) in the case of a public institution of
higher education and notwithstanding subsection
(b)(1), the costs described in clauses (i) and
(ii), for--
[(I) first-time, full-time students
enrolled in the institution who are
residents of the State in which the
institution is located; and
[(II) first-time, full-time students
enrolled in the institution who are not
residents of such State.
[(O) The average annual grant amount
(including Federal, State, and institutional
aid) awarded to a first-time, full-time
undergraduate student enrolled at the
institution who receives financial aid.
[(P) The average annual amount of Federal
student loans provided through the institution
to undergraduate students enrolled at the
institution.
[(Q) The total annual grant aid awarded to
undergraduate students enrolled at the
institution, from the Federal Government, a
State, the institution, and other sources known
by the institution.
[(R) The percentage of first-time, full-time
undergraduate students enrolled at the
institution receiving Federal, State, and
institutional grants, student loans, and any
other type of student financial assistance
known by the institution, provided publicly or
through the institution, such as Federal work-
study funds.
[(S) The number of students enrolled at the
institution receiving Federal Pell Grants.
[(T) The institution's cohort default rate,
as defined under section 435(m).
[(U) The information on campus safety
required to be collected under section 485(i).
[(V) A link to the institution's website that
provides, in an easily accessible manner, the
following information:
[(i) Student activities offered by
the institution.
[(ii) Services offered by the
institution for individuals with
disabilities.
[(iii) Career and placement services
offered by the institution to students
during and after enrollment.
[(iv) Policies of the institution
related to transfer of credit from
other institutions.
[(W) A link to the appropriate section of the
Bureau of Labor Statistics website that
provides information on regional data on
starting salaries in all major occupations.
[(X) Information required to be submitted
under paragraph (4) and a link to the
institution pricing summary page described in
paragraph (5).
[(Y) In the case of an institution that was
required to submit a report under subsection
(e)(1), a link to such report.
[(Z) The availability of alternative tuition
plans, which may include guaranteed tuition
plans.
[(2) Annual updates.-- The Secretary shall annually
update the information described in paragraph (1) on
the College Navigator website.
[(3) Consultation.-- The Secretary shall regularly
consult with current and prospective college students,
family members of such students, institutions of higher
education, and other experts to improve the usefulness
and relevance of the College Navigator website, with
respect to the presentation of the consumer information
collected in paragraph (1).
[(4) Data collection.-- The Commissioner for
Education Statistics shall continue to update and
improve the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data
System (referred to in this section as ``IPEDS''),
including the reporting of information by institutions
and the timeliness of the data collected.
[(5) Institution pricing summary page.--
[(A) Availability of list of participating
institutions.-- The Secretary shall make
publicly available on the College Navigator
website in a sortable and searchable format a
list of all institutions of higher education
that participate in programs under title IV,
which list shall, for each institution, include
the following:
[(i) The tuition and fees for each of
the three most recent academic years
for which data are available.
[(ii) The net price for each of the
three most recent available academic
years for which data are available.
[(iii)(I) During the period beginning
July 1, 2010, and ending June 30, 2013,
the net price for students receiving
Federal student financial aid under
title IV, disaggregated by the income
categories described in paragraph (6),
for the most recent academic year for
which data are available.
[(II) Beginning July 1, 2013, the net
price for students receiving Federal
student financial aid under title IV,
disaggregated by the income categories
described in paragraph (6), for each of
the three most recent academic years
for which data are available.
[(iv) The average annual percentage
change and average annual dollar change
in such institution's tuition and fees
for each of the three most recent
academic years for which data are
available.
[(v) The average annual percentage
change and average annual dollar change
in such institution's net price for
each of the three most recent preceding
academic years for which data are
available.
[(vi) A link to the webpage on the
College Navigator website that provides
the information described in paragraph
(1) for the institution.
[(B) Annual updates.-- The Secretary shall
annually update the lists described in
subparagraph (A) on the College Navigator
website.
[(6) Income categories.--
[(A) In general.-- For purposes of reporting
the information required under this subsection,
the following income categories shall apply for
students who receive Federal student financial
aid under title IV:
[(i) $0-30,000.
[(ii) $30,001-48,000.
[(iii) $48,001-75,000.
[(iv) $75,001-110,000.
[(v) $110,001 and more.
[(B) Adjustment.-- The Secretary may adjust
the income categories listed in subparagraph
(A) using the Consumer Price Index if the
Secretary determines such adjustment is
necessary.]
(d) Consumer Information.--
(1) Availability of title iv institution
information.-- The Secretary shall develop and make
publicly available a website to be known as the
``College Dashboard website'' in accordance with this
section and prominently display on such website, in
simple, understandable, and unbiased terms for the most
recent academic year for which satisfactory data are
available, the following information with respect to
each institution of higher education that participates
in a program under title IV:
(A) A link to the website of the institution.
(B) An identification of the type of
institution as one of the following:
(i) A four-year public institution of
higher education.
(ii) A four-year private, nonprofit
institution of higher education.
(iii) A four-year private, for-profit
institution of higher education.
(iv) A two-year public institution of
higher education.
(v) A two-year private, nonprofit
institution of higher education.
(vi) A two-year private, for-profit
institution of higher education.
(vii) A less than two-year public
institution of higher education.
(viii) A less than two-year private,
nonprofit institution of higher
education.
(ix) A less than two-year private,
for-profit institution of higher
education.
(C) The number of students enrolled at the
institution--
(i) as undergraduate students; and
(ii) as graduate students, if
applicable.
(D) The student-faculty ratio.
(E) The percentage of degree-seeking or
certificate-seeking undergraduate students
enrolled at the institution who obtain a degree
or certificate within--
(i) 100 percent of the normal time
for completion of, or graduation from,
the program in which the student is
enrolled;
(ii) 150 percent of the normal time
for completion of, or graduation from,
the program in which the student is
enrolled; and
(iii) 200 percent of the normal time
for completion of, or graduation from,
the program in which the student is
enrolled.
(F) The average net price per year for
undergraduate students and a link to the net
price calculator for such institution.
(G) The average Federal student loan debt
incurred by an undergraduate student who has
obtained a certificate or degree from the
institution and who borrowed Federal student
loans in the course of obtaining such
certificate or degree.
(H) A link to national and regional data from
the Bureau of Labor Statistics on starting
salaries in all major occupations.
(I) A link to the webpage of the institution
containing campus safety data with respect to
such institution.
(2) Additional information.-- The Secretary shall
publish on Internet webpages that are linked to through
the College Dashboard website for the most recent
academic year for which satisfactory data is available
the following information with respect to each
institution of higher education that participates in a
program under title IV:
(A) Enrollment.--
(i) The percentages of male and
female undergraduate students enrolled
at the institution.
(ii) The percentages of undergraduate
students enrolled at the institution--
(I) full-time; and
(II) less than full-time.
(iii) Of the undergraduate students
enrolled at the institution--
(I) the percentage of such
students who are from the State
in which the institution is
located;
(II) the percentage of such
students who are from other
States; and
(III) the percentage of such
students who are international
students.
(iv) The percentages of students
enrolled at the institution,
disaggregated by--
(I) race and ethnic
background;
(II) classification as a
student with a disability;
(III) recipients of a Federal
Pell Grant;
(IV) recipients of veterans'
education benefits (as defined
in section 480); and
(V) recipients of a Federal
student loan.
(B) Completion.-- The information required
under paragraph (1)(E), disaggregated by--
(i) recipients of a Federal Pell
Grant;
(ii) recipients of a loan made under
part D (other than a Federal Direct
Unsubsidized Stafford Loan) who did not
receive a Federal Pell Grant;
(iii) persons who did not receive a
Federal Pell Grant or a loan made under
part D (other than a Federal Direct
Unsubsidized Stafford Loan);
(iv) race and ethnic background; and
(v) classification as a student with
a disability.
(C) Costs.--
(i) The cost of attendance for full-
time undergraduate students enrolled in
the institution who live on campus.
(ii) The cost of attendance for full-
time undergraduate students enrolled in
the institution who live off campus.
(iii) The cost of tuition and fees
for full-time undergraduate students
enrolled in the institution.
(iv) The cost of tuition and fees per
credit hour or credit hour equivalency
for undergraduate students enrolled in
the institution less than full time.
(v) In the case of a public
institution of higher education and
notwithstanding subsection (b)(1), the
costs described in clauses (i) and (ii)
for--
(I) full-time students
enrolled in the institution who
are residents of the State in
which the institution is
located; and
(II) full-time students
enrolled in the institution who
are not residents of such
State.
(vi) The net price for students
receiving Federal student financial aid
under title IV, disaggregated by the
following income categories for such
students:
(I) $0 to $30,000.
(II) $30,001 to $48,000.
(III) $48,001 to $75,000.
(IV) $75,001 to $110,000.
(V) Over $110,000.
(D) Financial aid.--
(i) The average annual grant amount
(including Federal, State, and
institutional aid) awarded to an
undergraduate student enrolled at the
institution who receives financial aid.
(ii) The percentage of undergraduate
students enrolled at the institution
receiving Federal, State, and
institutional grants, student loans,
and any other type of student financial
assistance known by the institution,
provided publicly or through the
institution, such as Federal work-study
funds.
(iii) The cohort default rate (as
defined in section 435(m)) for such
institution.
(E) Faculty information.--
(i) The ratio of the number of course
sections taught by part-time
instructors to the number of course
sections taught by full-time faculty,
disaggregated by course sections
intended primarily for undergraduate
students and course sections intended
primarily for graduate students.
(ii) The mean and median years of
employment for part-time instructors.
(3) Other data matters.--
(A) Completion data.-- The Commissioner of
Education Statistics shall ensure that the
information required under paragraph (1)(E)
includes information with respect to all
students at an institution, including students
other than first-time, full-time students, in a
manner that the Commissioner considers
appropriate.
(B) Adjustment of income categories.-- The
Secretary may annually adjust the range of each
of the income categories described in paragraph
(2)(C)(vi) to account for a change in the
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers as
determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics if
the Secretary determines an adjustment is
necessary.
(4) Institutional comparison.-- The Secretary shall
include on the College Dashboard website a method for
users to easily compare the information required under
paragraphs (1) and (2) between institutions.
(5) Updates.--
(A) Data.-- The Secretary shall update the
College Dashboard website not less than
annually.
(B) Technology and format.-- The Secretary
shall regularly assess the format and
technology of the College Dashboard website and
make any changes or updates that the Secretary
considers appropriate.
(6) Consumer testing.--
(A) In general.-- In developing and
maintaining the College Dashboard website, the
Secretary, in consultation with appropriate
departments and agencies of the Federal
Government, shall conduct consumer testing with
appropriate persons, including current and
prospective college students, family members of
such students, institutions of higher
education, and experts, to ensure that the
College Dashboard website is usable and easily
understandable and provides useful and relevant
information to students and families.
(B) Recommendations for changes.-- The
Secretary shall submit to the authorizing
committees any recommendations that the
Secretary considers appropriate for changing
the information required to be provided on the
College Dashboard website under paragraphs (1)
and (2) based on the results of the consumer
testing conducted under subparagraph (A).
(7) Provision of appropriate links to prospective
students after submission of fafsa.-- The Secretary
shall provide to each student that submits a Free
Application for Federal Student Aid described in
section 483 a link to the webpage of the College
Dashboard website that contains the information
required under paragraph (1) for each institution of
higher education such student includes on such
Application.
(8) Interagency coordination.-- The Secretary, in
consultation with each appropriate head of a department
or agency of the Federal Government, shall ensure to
the greatest extent practicable that any information
related to higher education that is published by such
department or agency is consistent with the information
published on the College Dashboard website.
(9) References to college navigator website.-- Any
reference in this Act to the College Navigator website
shall be considered a reference to the College
Dashboard website.
[(j) Multi-Year Tuition Calculator.--
[(1) Development of multi-year tuition calculator.--
Not later than one year after the date of enactment of
theHigher Education Opportunity Act, the Secretary
shall, in consultation with institutions of higher
education, financial planners, and other appropriate
experts, develop a multi-year tuition calculator to
help current and prospective students, families of such
students, and other consumers estimate the amount of
tuition an individual may pay to attend an institution
of higher education in future years.
[(2) Calculation of multi-year tuition.-- The multi-
year tuition calculator described in paragraph (1)
shall--
[(A) allow an individual to select an
institution of higher education for which the
calculation shall be made;
[(B) calculate an estimate of tuition and
fees for each year of the normal duration of
the program of study at such institution by--
[(i) using the tuition and fees for
such institution, as reported under
subsection (i)(5)(A)(i), for the most
recent academic year for which such
data are reported; and
[(ii) determining an estimated annual
percentage change for each year for
which the calculation is made, based on
the annual percentage change in such
institution's tuition and fees, as
reported under subsection
(i)(5)(A)(iv), for the most recent
three-year period for which such data
are reported;
[(C) calculate an estimate of the total
amount of tuition and fees to complete a
program of study at such institution, based on
the normal duration of such program, using the
estimate calculated under subparagraph (B) for
each year of the program of study;
[(D) provide the individual with the option
to replace the estimated annual percentage
change described in subparagraph (B)(ii) with
an alternative annual percentage change
specified by the individual, and calculate an
estimate of tuition and fees for each year and
an estimate of the total amount of tuition and
fees using the alternative percentage change;
[(E) in the case of an institution that
offers a multi-year tuition guarantee program,
allow the individual to have the estimates of
tuition and fees described in subparagraphs (B)
and (C) calculated based on the provisions of
such guarantee program for the tuition and fees
charged to a student, or cohort of students,
enrolled for the duration of the program of
study; and
[(F) include any other features or
information determined to be appropriate by the
Secretary.
[(3) Availability and comparison.-- The multi-year
tuition calculator described in paragraph (1) shall be
available on the College Navigator website and shall
allow current and prospective students, families of
such students, and consumers to compare information and
estimates under this subsection for multiple
institutions of higher education.
[(4) Disclaimer.-- Each calculation of estimated
tuition and fees made using the multi-year tuition
calculator described in paragraph (1) shall be
accompanied by a clear and conspicuous notice--
[(A) stating that the calculation--
[(i) is only an estimate and not a
guarantee of the actual amount the
student may be charged;
[(ii) is not binding on the
Secretary, the institution of higher
education, or the State; and
[(iii) may change, subject to the
availability of financial assistance,
State appropriations, and other
factors;
[(B) stating that the student must complete
the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
described in section 483 in order to be
eligible for, and receive, an actual financial
aid award that includes Federal grant, loan, or
work-study assistance under title IV; and
[(C) including a link to the website of the
Department that allows students to access the
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
described in section 483.]
[(k)] (e) Student Aid Recipient Survey.--
(1) * * *
* * * * * * *
[(l) Regulations.--The Secretary is authorized to issue such
regulations as may be necessary to carry out this section.]
* * * * * * *
MINORITY VIEWS
We support and concur with the Majority views on H.R. 4983.
However, student loan debt and skyrocketing college costs are
one of the nation's top domestic concerns and the bill fails to
address the needs of students and families already facing a
mountain of student debt. That is why Democrats offered an
amendment, which was rejected by the Majority, to give
prospective students vital information on how many graduates
from a college are repaying their student loans before they
enroll.
An applicant to a college should know whether students who
go through a program are able to pay back their loans.
Defaulting on a loan is the worst possible outcome for a
borrower, however, millions of borrowers can be in a state of
limbo where they can avoid default but still not manage to pay
down their debts. A repayment metric would give students a more
accurate assessment of how successful graduates are in repaying
their debts.
Additionally, repayment rates can serve as an important
proxy on the success of college programs. Historically,
colleges that have extremely low repayment rates are likely to
have both unusually high dropout rates and unusually low
employment rates, which are clear measures of whether an
education program is of quality.
Just last month, the Education Trust issued a report that
strongly recommended the use of loan repayment rates as a
metric of a program's quality. Here is what they wrote:
Given that the federal role in higher education
revolves so heavily around student financial aid and
student loans in particular, this makes sense as a
minimum quality standard, both from a student
perspective and that of the taxpayer. Student loans are
by far the riskiest form of federal financial aid.
Students who cannot meet their debt obligations
either because they earn a degree with little economic
value or because they earn no degree at all will
confront life-damaging consequences of bad credit,
including the inability to take on future debt--like a
home mortgage or a car loan--and possibly even wage and
tax garnishment [emphasis added.]
Democrats agree. Students need access to information on
program quality so that they can decide for themselves if a
program is right for them.
Democrats will continue to work to make college more
affordable and accessible, increase oversight and quality
assurance of colleges and loan servicers, and to promote new
and innovative practices that can reduce student loan debt.
George Miller.
Jared Polis.
Timothy H. Bishop.
Mark Takano.
Ruben Hinojosa.
Raul M. Grijalva.
Mark Pocan.
Suzanne Bonamici.
Frederica S. Wilson.
Joe Courtney.
Gregorio Kilili Sablan.
Susan A. Davis.
David Loebsack.
Marcia L. Fudge.
Carolyn McCarthy.
John F. Tierney.