S 1360 ISCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To provide for higher education affordability, access, and opportunity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

May 10, 2007

Mrs. DOLE (for herself, Mr. BAUCUS, Mr. LOTT, and Mr. LIEBERMAN) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To provide for higher education affordability, access, and opportunity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Higher Education Affordability, Access, and Opportunity Act of 2007'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. IMPROVEMENTS IN MARKET INFORMATION AND PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY.

(a) Data Dissemination- Section 131(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1015(b)) is amended to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b) Comparative Data-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- Each year the Secretary shall make available to the public the information described in paragraph (2), disaggregated by institution of higher education, in a form that enables the public to compare the information among institutions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) INFORMATION- The information referred to in paragraph (1) is the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) Tuition and fees for a full-time undergraduate student.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) Cost of attendance for a full-time undergraduate student.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) The average annual cost of attendance for a full-time undergraduate student for the 10 preceding academic years, or if data is not available for the 10 preceding academic years, data for as many of the 10 preceding academic years as is available.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) The percentage of full-time undergraduate students receiving financial assistance, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) Federal grants;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) State and local grants;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) institutional grants; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iv) loans to students.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E) The average percentage of credit hours accepted from students transferring to an institution of higher education from another institution of higher education, and the policy of the accepting institution of higher education for the transfer of credit.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(F) The percentage of students who have completed an undergraduate program who are placed in unsubsidized employment not later than 12 months after the date of completion of the program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(G) A ranking of the dollar and percentage increases in tuition and fees for all institutions of higher education for which data is available, disaggregated by quartile.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) STANDARD DEFINITIONS- In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall use the standard definitions developed under subsection (a)(3).'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Study and Annual Report- Section 131(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1015(c)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in paragraph (1)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting `and costs' after `expenditures';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in subparagraph (F), by striking `and' after the semicolon;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period and inserting `; and'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(H) the information and costs described in subparagraphs (D) through (G) of paragraph (2).';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in paragraph (2)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking `and' after the semicolon;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) national trends in the cost of attending an institution of higher education;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E) the mean cost of attending an institution of higher education, disaggregated by type of institution of higher education;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(F) the mean annual cost of attending an institution of higher education for the 10 preceding academic years (if available), disaggregated by type of institution of higher education; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(G) the assistance provided to institutions of higher education by each State, which information the Secretary shall make available to the public.'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) in paragraph (3)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in the subsection heading, by striking `Final' and inserting `Annual';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking `a report' and inserting `an annual report';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by inserting `and the evaluation required by paragraph (2)' after `paragraph (1)'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) by striking `not later than September 30, 2002'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. TEACHER QUALITY ENHANCEMENT GRANTS.

(a) Definition of High Need Local Educational Agency- Section 201(b)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1021(b)(2)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking `that serves an elementary school or secondary school located in an area in which there is';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in each of subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), by inserting `that serves an elementary school or secondary school located in an area in which there is' before `a high';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) in subparagraph (B) (as so amended), by striking `or' after the semicolon;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) in subparagraph (C) (as so amended), by striking the period and inserting `; or'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) with a total of less than 600 students in average daily attendance at the schools that are served by the local educational agency and all of those schools are designated with a school locale code of 7 or 8, as determined by the Secretary.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Definition of Eligible Partnerships- Section 203(b)(1)(B) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1023(b)(1)(B)) is amended by inserting `educational service agency (as defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965),' after `State educational agency,'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. GRANTS FOR JOB SKILL TRAINING.

Title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1051 et seq.) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by redesignating part F as part G; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by inserting after part E the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

`PART F--JOB SKILL TRAINING

`Subpart 1--Job Skill Training in High-Growth Occupations or Industries

`SEC. 371. JOB SKILL TRAINING IN HIGH-GROWTH OCCUPATIONS OR INDUSTRIES.

`(a) Grants Authorized- The Secretary is authorized to award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible partnerships to enable the eligible partnerships to provide relevant job skill training in high-growth industries or occupations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b) Definitions- In this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) ELIGIBLE PARTNERSHIP- The term `eligible partnership' means a partnership--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) between an institution of higher education and a local board (as such term is defined in section 101 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998); orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) if an institution of higher education is located within a State that does not operate local boards, between the institution of higher education and a State board (as such term is defined in section 101 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) NONTRADITIONAL STUDENT- The term `nontraditional student' means a student who--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) is independent, as defined in section 480(d);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) attends an institution of higher education--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) on less than a full-time basis;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) via evening, weekend, modular, or compressed courses; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) via distance learning methods; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) has delayed enrollment at an institution of higher education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION- The term `institution of higher education' means an institution of higher education, as defined in section 101(b), that offers a 1- or 2-year program of study leading to a degree or certificate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c) Application-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- Each eligible partnership that desires a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such additional information as the Secretary may require.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) CONTENTS- Each application submitted under paragraph (1) shall include a description of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) how the eligible partnership, through the institution of higher education, will provide relevant job skill training for students to enter high-growth occupations or industries;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) local high-growth occupations or industries; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) the need for qualified workers to meet the local demand of high-growth occupations or industries.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(d) Award Basis- In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) ensure an equitable distribution of grant funds under this section among urban and rural areas of the United States; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) take into consideration the capability of the institution of higher education--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) to offer relevant, high quality instruction and job skill training for students entering a high-growth occupation or industry;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) to involve the local business community and to place graduates in the community in employment in high-growth occupations or industries;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) to assist students in obtaining loans under section 428L, if appropriate, or other forms of student financial assistance;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) to serve nontraditional or low-income students, or adult or displaced workers; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E) to serve students from rural or remote communities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(e) Use of Funds- Grant funds provided under this section may be used--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) to expand or create academic programs or programs of training that provide relevant job skill training for high-growth occupations or industries;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) to purchase equipment which will facilitate the development of academic programs or programs of training that provide training for high-growth occupations or industries;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) to support outreach efforts that enable students to attend institutions of higher education with academic programs or programs of training focused on high-growth occupations or industries;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) to expand or create programs for distance, evening, weekend, modular, or compressed learning opportunities that provide relevant job skill training in high-growth occupations or industries;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(5) to build partnerships with local businesses in high-growth occupations or industries; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(6) for other uses that the Secretary determines to be consistent with the intent of this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(f) Requirements-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) FISCAL AGENT- For the purpose of this section, the institution of higher education in an eligible partnership shall serve as the fiscal agent and grant recipient for the eligible partnership.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) DURATION- The Secretary shall award grants under this section for a 1-year period.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) AVAILABILITY OF GRANT FUNDS- Grant funds awarded under this section shall be available for not more than 18 months unless, at the Secretary's discretion, the Secretary extends the availability of the grant funds.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) SUPPLEMENT, NOT SUPPLANT- Funds made available under this section shall be used to supplement and not supplant other Federal, State, and local funds available to the eligible partnership for carrying out the activities described in subsection (e).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

`Subpart 2--Small Business Innovation Partnership Grants

`SEC. 375. SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION PARTNERSHIP GRANTS.

`(a) Grants Authorized- The Secretary is authorized to award grants to eligible partnerships to enable the eligible partnerships to provide training and relevant job skills to small business owners or operators for the purpose of facilitating small business development in the communities served by the eligible partnerships.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b) Definition of Eligible Partnership- In this section the term `eligible partnership' means a partnership between or among an institution of higher education and 1 or more entities that the Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, identifies as facilitating small business development, which may include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) a community development financial institution;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) a small business development center; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) a microenterprise lending institution.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c) Award Basis- The Secretary shall award grants under this section on the basis of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) the ability of an eligible partnership to facilitate small business development; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2)(A) the ability of an eligible partnership to serve a rural community;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) the ability of an eligible partnership to serve a low-income population; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) other criteria developed by the Secretary in consultation with the Administrator of the Small Business Administration.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(d) Limitation- Of the funds appropriated under section 378 for this part for a fiscal year, the Secretary is authorized to use not more than $15,000,000 of such funds to carry out this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

`Subpart 3--Administrative Provisions

`SEC. 378. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

`There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part $65,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 5. LEAP APPLICATIONS.

Section 415C of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070c-2) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in subsection (a), by inserting after the first sentence the following: `A State agency may submit an application under this section in partnership with a philanthropic organization within the State, a public or private degree granting institution of higher education within the State, or a combination of such organizations or institutions.'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in subsection (b)(10), by inserting `, from philanthropic, institutional, or private funds, or from a combination of such sources' before the period.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 6. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT LOAN PROGRAM.

Part B of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1071 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 428K (20 U.S.C. 1078-11) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

`SEC. 428L. HIGH-GROWTH OCCUPATION OR INDUSTRY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT STUDENT LOANS.

`(a) Loan Program Authorized- The Secretary shall carry out a loan program under which eligible students may receive a loan of not more than $2,000 for each of the first 2 years of the eligible students' undergraduate program of study in the same manner as the eligible students receive loans under this part and part D.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b) Definitions-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION- The term `eligible institution of higher education' means an institution of higher education that offers undergraduate academic programs or undergraduate programs of training in a subject identified under subsection (d)(1) by the State board of the State where the institution of higher education is located.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) ELIGIBLE STUDENT- The term `eligible student' means an undergraduate student who--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) is otherwise eligible for a loan under this part or part D;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) enters into an agreement with the eligible institution of higher education where the student is or will be in attendance, under which the student agrees to pursue an undergraduate academic program or undergraduate program of training that trains the student for employment in a high-growth occupation or industry identified under subsection (d)(1);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) is age 18 or older; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) has an expected family contribution (calculated under part F) equal to or less than zero.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) STATE BOARD; LOCAL BOARD- The terms `State board' and `local board' have the meanings given such terms in section 101 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c) Limits on Loan Amounts-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) ANNUAL LOAN LIMITS- The total aggregate amount of loans made to an eligible student under this part (including this section) and part D for each of the first and second years of the eligible student's program of study at an eligible institution of higher education, or their equivalent (as determined by the Secretary), that may be covered by Federal loan insurance may not exceed an amount determined by the Secretary for each such year, notwithstanding sections 425 and 428.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) AGGREGATE LIMITS- The Secretary shall include the amount of any loans received by an eligible student under this section in calculating the eligible student's aggregate loan limits under sections 425(a)(2) and 428(b)(1)(B).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) AVAILABILITY OF OTHER FUNDS- An eligible student who receives the maximum loan amount allowed under this section remains eligible for any other program for which the eligible student qualifies under this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(d) Identification of High-Growth Occupations or Industries-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- The State board, in consultation with the local boards and the State entity or agency responsible for licensing institutions of higher education, shall identify high growth occupations or industries in accordance with paragraph (2).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) TIMING- The State board shall review and update the identification required under paragraph (1) each time the State board is required to submit or resubmit a State plan under section 112 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) SPECIAL RULE- A student who has completed 1 year of a 2-year undergraduate academic program or undergraduate program of training in a subject which was previously identified as preparation for a high-growth occupation or industry but, after the review under paragraph (2), is no longer so identified, shall be eligible to receive a loan under this section for the student's second year of such program of study if the student--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) qualified as an eligible student, as defined in subsection (b)(2), and received a loan under this section, for the first year of such program of study; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) meets the qualifications of subparagraphs (A), (C), and (D) of subsection (b)(2).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(e) Funds for Administration-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- From funds appropriated under subsection (f), the Secretary shall make available to each eligible institution of higher education serving an eligible student with a loan made under this section not more than the amount determined under paragraph (2).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) AMOUNT- The amount referred to in paragraph (1) for each eligible institution of higher education serving an eligible student with a loan made under this section is 2 percent of the total amount of all loans made under this section to eligible students at the eligible institution of higher education, or $100,000, whichever is less.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) USES- The funds made available under paragraph (1) may be used for the following purposes:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) OFFICE- To create an office of business and workforce partnerships at the eligible institution of higher education to provide staff support for building relationships between the eligible institution of higher education and local businesses.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) ANNUAL REPORT- To provide an annual report to the Secretary regarding the number of eligible students receiving loans made under this section who--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) remain in their academic program or program of training;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) graduate from their academic program or program of training;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) transfer to another institution of higher education; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iv) are placed in unsubsidized employment not later than 12 months after graduation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(f) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008 and each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 7. REQUIREMENT RELATING TO CREDIT TRANSFER.

(a) Program Participation Agreements- Section 487(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(24) The institution will not exclude the transfer of credits earned by a student completing courses or programs at other eligible institutions of higher education solely on the basis of the agency or association that accredited such other eligible institution if that agency or association is recognized by the Secretary pursuant to section 496 to be a reliable authority as to the quality of the education or training offered and is currently listed by the Secretary pursuant to section 101(c).'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Accrediting Agency and Association Requirements- Section 496(a) (20 U.S.C. 1099b(a)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking `and' at the end of paragraph (7);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (8) and inserting `; and'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(9) such agency or association not adopt or apply standards, policies, or practices that restrict or deny the transfer of credits earned by a student completing courses or programs at other eligible institutions of higher education solely on the basis of the agency or association that accredited such other eligible institution if that agency or association is recognized by the Secretary pursuant to this section to be a reliable authority as to the quality of the education or training offered and is currently listed by the Secretary pursuant to section 101(c).'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Accrediting Agency Standards- Section 496(a)(5) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1099b(a)(5)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking `and' at the end of subparagraph (I);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by inserting `and' after the semicolon at the end of subparagraph (J); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by inserting after subparagraph (J) the following new subparagraph:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(K) policies for the transfer of credit and the notification of the public of such policies;'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink