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Higher Education Act Legislation
110th Congress
This page contains a list of bills introduced during the 110th Congress (2007-2009) that may impact the Higher Education Act of 1965.
To research a bill's status, access the text of a bill, or read a brief summary of the major HEA provisions proposed in a bill click on the bill number or use your tool bar's "find" feature to perform a keyword search (Ctrl + F).
*Approved by one or both houses
**Signed into law
House Bills
H.R.5
Title: College Student Relief Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Miller, George [CA] (introduced 1/12/2007)
Cosponsors: (211)
Latest Major Action: 1/17/2007 Referred to Senate committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Gradually reduces the interest rate charged undergraduate FFEL and DL student borrowers under from 6.8% in July 2006 to 3.4% in July 2011.
- Limits FFEL lender insurance to 95% of the unpaid balance of such loans. (Currently, 97% of a FFEL issued after June 2006 is federally-insured.)
- Provides for graduated reductions in the percentage of defaulted FFEL loan collections a guaranty agency is allowed to retain until, beginning in October 2010, it is equal to the average rate paid to collection agencies that have contracts with the Secretary of Education.
- Eliminates exceptional performer status for lenders, servicers, and guaranty agencies, which rewards such entities for high due diligence in FFEL collection.
- Reduces special allowance payments made to FFEL lenders to compensate them for the difference between FFEL interest rates and market rates. Exempts small lenders from such reduction.
- Increases the loan fee charged FFEL lenders from .5% to 1% of the principal amount of loans disbursed after June 2007. Prohibits its collection from borrowers.
- Increases, after June 2007, the rebate fee charged a holder of FFEL consolidated loans, provided that at least 90% of the total principal and accrued unpaid interest outstanding on loans held by such holder are such loans.
H.R.54
Title: Teacher Recruitment Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Christensen, Donna M. [VI] (introduced 1/4/2007)
Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Major Action: 1/4/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Makes a new borrower (on or after October 1, 1998) eligible for student loan forgiveness if he or she is:
- employed as a full-time teacher in a public elementary or secondary school in an economically disadvantaged or depressed and underserved rural area;
- state-certified or state-licensed to teach, and in compliance with state or local accountability standards; and
- not in default on the loan.
H.R.81
Title: Bartlett Montgomery GI Bill Act
Sponsor: Rep. Bartlett, Roscoe G. [MD] (introduced 1/4/2007)
Cosponsors: (2)
Latest Major Action: 1/25/2007 Referred to House subcommittee.
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Provides that members of the Armed Forces and Selected Reserve may transfer certain educational assistance benefits (entitlements to basic educational assistance under the GI Bill) to dependents.
H.R.87
Title: 401Kids Family Savings Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Biggert, Judy [IL] (introduced 1/4/2007)
Cosponsors: (21)
Latest Major Action: 1/4/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Allows tax-free distributions from a Coverdell education savings account for first-time homebuyer expenses;
- Permits rollovers from Coverdell education savings accounts to Roth individual retirement accounts (Roth IRAs); and
- Renames Coverdell education savings accounts as 401Kids Savings Accounts.
H.R.100
Title: Veterans' Equity in Education Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Davis, Susan A. [CA] (introduced 1/4/2007)
Cosponsors: (10)
Latest Major Action: 1/4/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Revises the calculation of financial assistance for which a student receiving veterans' education benefits may be eligible.
- Reduces, for the first year a student receives such benefits, the factor in the eligibility formula representing estimated educational financial assistance already received by the student by the amount of military pay deductions for such benefits made by or on behalf of the student while on active duty in the U.S. armed forces or in the Selective Reserve.
H.R.451
Title: Next Generation Hispanic-Serving Institutions Act
Sponsor: Rep. Hinojosa, Ruben [TX] (introduced 1/12/2007)
Cosponsors: (31)
Latest Major Action: 1/12/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Establishes a program of competitive grants to eligible HSIs that offer postbaccalaureate certifications or degrees (part B grants).
- Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the current part A program of grants to HSIs that offer baccalaureate degrees or are junior or community colleges; and (2) the new part B program of grants to HSIs that offer postbaccalaureate certifications or degrees.
H.R.472
Title: College Affordability and Transparency Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. McKeon, Howard "Buck" [CA] (introduced 1/16/2007)
Cosponsors: (7)
Latest Major Action: 1/16/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Revises consumer information requirements
- Establishes a College Affordability Demonstration Project
H.R.530
Title: Military Educational Parity Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Lynch, Stephen [MA] (introduced 1/17/2007)
Cosponsors: (5)
Latest Major Action: 1/17/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Requires institutions of higher education, as a condition of their participation in the student aid program, to grant students who are called or ordered to active duty a military leave of absence while serving on active duty and for one year after conclusion of such service.
- Entitles students receiving such leave, upon release from active duty, to be restored to prior educational status attained without loss of academic credits earned, scholarships or grants awarded, or tuition or fees paid, unless those have been refunded. Requires institutions to give such students certain refunds of tuition or fees paid prior to active duty.
- Includes as active duty, in the case of National Guard members, active state duty. Excludes training or attendance at a service school from treatment as active duty.
H.R.597
Title: Earning and Learning Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Wu, David [OR] (introduced 1/19/2007)
Cosponsors: (None)
Latest Major Action: 1/19/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Requires institutions of higher education to enter into agreements with private for-profit organizations for the provision of work-study employment, except as otherwise permitted by regulations of the Secretary of Education. (Current law allows such institutions to enter into such agreements at their own option.)
H.R.601
Title: FAFSA Fix for Homeless Kids Act
Sponsor: Rep. Biggert, Judy [IL] (introduced 1/22/2007)
Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Major Action: 1/22/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Expands the definition of independent student in the HEA to include a student who is verified as both homeless and an unaccompanied youth, during the school year in which the application for financial assistance is submitted, by
- a local educational agency liaison for homeless children and youths
- a director of a homeless shelter, transitional shelter, or independent living program; or
- a financial aid administrator
H.R.695
Title: Taxpayer Abuse and Harassment Prevention Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Van Hollen, Chris [MD] (introduced 1/24/2007)
Cosponsors: (84)
Latest Major Action: 1/24/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into contracts with private collection agencies to collect unpaid taxes.
Related bill: S.335
H.R.717
Title: Community College Partnership Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Wu, David [OR] (introduced 1/29/2007)
Cosponsors: None
Latest Major Action: 1/29/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Establishes a Community College Opportunity program to help students at community or technical colleges transfer to four-year institutions and complete bachelor's degrees.
H.R.722
Title: Increasing Access to Higher Education Act
Sponsor: Rep. Bilirakis, Gus [FL] (introduced 1/30/2007)
Cosponsors: (4)
Latest Major Action: 1/30/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Increases the maximum Pell Grant to $4810 annually less an amount equal to the student's expected family contribution for that year.
H.R.773
Title: Diploma Integrity Protection Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. McCollum, Betty [MN] (introduced 1/31/2007)
Cosponsors: (2)
Latest Major Action: 3/01/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Protects institutions of higher education, businesses and other employers, professional licensing boards, patients and clients of degree holders, taxpayers, and other individuals from any person claiming to possess a legitimate academic degree that in fact was issued by a fraudulent or nonexistent school, by a non-educational entity posing as a school, or by any entity in violation of Federal or State law.
H.R.872
Title: National Endowment for Workforce Education in Renewables and Agriculture Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Braley, Bruce [IA] (introduced 2/7/2007)
Cosponsors: (3)
Latest Major Action: 2/7/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Creates competitive grants to community colleges and advanced technology education centers partnering with community colleges to support the education and training of technicians in the fields of bioenergy and other agriculture-based, renewable energy resources
H.R.887
Title: GRAD Act
Sponsor: Rep. McCarthy, Carolyn [NY] (introduced 2/7/2007)
Cosponsors: (9)
Latest Major Action: 2/7/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Provides support and assistance to programs implementing integrated education reform services in order to improve secondary school graduation and college attendance and completion rates for disadvantaged students; and promotes the establishment of new programs to implement such integrated education reform services.
H.R.890
Title: Student Loan Sunshine Act
Sponsor: Rep. Miller, George [CA] (introduced 2/7/2007)
Cosponsors: (45)
Latest Major Action: 5/10/2007 Referred to Senate committee.
Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Establishes reporting and disclosure requirements for lenders and schools. Includes both FFELP and private educational loans; companion bill to S.486, with similar provisions.
Related bill: S.486
H.R.916
Title: John R. Justice Prosecutors and Defenders Incentive Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Scott, David [GA] (introduced 2/8/2007)
Cosponsors: (66)
Latest major actions: 5/15/2007 Agreed to in the House; 5/16/2007 Received in the Senate.
Status: Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders.
Summary: Provides loan repayment of $10,000 per calendar year, up to $60,000, in student loans for lawyers who commit to working as public defenders or prosecutors for at least three years.
H.R.990
Title: Pell Grant Equity Act
Sponsor: Rep. Miller, George [CA] (introduced 2/13/2007)
Cosponsors: (13)
Latest Major Action: 02/28/2007 Referred to Senate committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Repeals tuition sensitivity in the Pell Grant program.
- Reduces guarantor collection retention from 23% to 22% effective 10/01/2007 - 09/30/2008.
Related bill: S.707
H.R.1010
Title: Student Aid Reward Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Miller, George [CA] (introduced 2/13/2007)
Cosponsors: (16)
Latest Major Action: 2/13/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Provides financial incentives to institutions of higher education for participation in the student loan program under this title that is most cost-effective for taxpayers.
Related bill: S.572
H.R.1051
Title: National STEM Scholarship Database Act
Sponsor: Rep. Holt, Rush [NJ] (introduced 2/14/2007)
Cosponsors: (30)
Latest Major Action: 2/14/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Directs the Secretary of Education to establish and maintain a public website through which individuals may find a complete database of available scholarships, fellowships, and other programs of financial assistance in the study of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
H.R.1058
Title: Hope Plus Scholarship Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Paul, Ron [TX] (introduced 2/14/2007)
Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Major Action: 2/14/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include qualified elementary and secondary education expenses within the definition of the term qualified tuition and related expenses for purposes of the Hope Scholarship Tax Credit.
H.R.1088
Title: Elizabeth Cady Stanton Pregnant and Parenting Student Services Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [NC] (introduced 2/15/2007)
Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Major Action: 2/15/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Establishes a pilot program to provide grants to encourage eligible institutions of higher education to establish and operate pregnant and parenting student services offices for pregnant students, parenting students, prospective parenting students who are anticipating a birth or adoption, and students who are placing or have placed a child for adoption.
H.R.1211
Title: Resuming Education After Defense Service Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Matheson, Jim [UT] (introduced 2/27/2007)
Cosponsors: (59)
Latest Major Action: 2/27/2007 Referred to House committees.
Status: Referred to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs and Armed Forces
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Provides entitlement to educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill for members of the Selected Reserve who aggregate more than two years of active duty service in any five year period.
H.R.1214
Title: Veterans' Survivors Education Enhancement Act
Sponsor: Rep. Ramstad, Jim [MN] (introduced 2/27/2007)
Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Major Action: 2/27/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Expands and enhances educational assistance for survivors and dependents of veterans.
Related bill: S.698
H.R.1226
Title: To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand eligibility for the basic educational assistance program of the Department of Veterans Affairs
Sponsor: Rep. Johnson, Timothy [IL] (introduced 2/28/2007)
Cosponsors: (None)
Latest Major Action: 2/28/2007 Referred to House committees.
Status: Referred to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs and Armed Forces
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Expands time period for eligibility for the basic educational assistance program (Chapter 30) of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
H.R.1330
Title: To amend title 10, United States Code, to extend the time limit for the use of education assistance by members of the Selected Reserve and members of the reserve component supporting contingency operations and certain other operations.
Sponsor: Rep. Carney, Christopher [PA] (introduced 3/6/2007)
Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Major Action: Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
Summary: Amends title 10, United States Code, to extend the time limit for the use of education assistance by members of the Selected Reserve and members of the reserve component supporting contingency operations and certain other operations.
H.R.1372
Title: RENEWAAL Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Miller, George [CA] (introduced 3/7/2007)
Cosponsors: (15)
Latest Major Action: 3/7/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: Provides grants to recruit new teachers, principals, and other school leaders to, and retain and support current and returning teachers, principals, and other school leaders employed in, public elementary and public secondary schools, and to help higher education, in areas impacted by Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita, and for other purposes. Sec. 202 authorizes loan forgiveness for certain teachers.
H.R.1394
Title: Helping Our Students Communicate Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Wilson, Joe [SC] (introduced 3/7/2007)
Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Major Action: 3/7/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: Expands the teacher loan forgiveness provisions of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include speech-language pathologists.
H.R.1407
Title: Higher Education Affordability and Equity Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. English, Phil [PA] (introduced 3/8/2007)
Cosponsors: (4)
Latest Major Action: 3/8/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand incentives for education.
H.R.1437
Title: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify and make permanent the deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses.
Sponsor: Rep. Burton, Dan [IN] (introduced 3/9/2007)
Cosponsors: (None)
Latest Major Action: 3/9/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the tax deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses; (2) increase the maximum amount of such deduction to $5,000 and repeal provisions requiring a phaseout of the deduction based on adjusted gross income; and (3) allow grandparents to claim a deduction for the tuition and related expenses of their grandchildren.
H.R.1488
Title: Family Friendly Employers Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Keller, Ric [FL] (introduced 3/13/2007)
Cosponsors: (2)
Latest Major Action: 3/13/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Summary: Referred to House committee. Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand the exclusion for employer-provided educational assistance to include educational assistance provided to dependents of employees.
H.R.1522
Title: One-stop Student Financial Aid Information Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Keller, Ric FL-8 (introduced 3/14/2007)
Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Major Action: 3/14/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: Promotes the availability and use of the Federal student financial aid website of the Department of Education.
H.R.1549
Title: College and University Hurricane Revitalization Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Jindal, Bobby [LA] (introduced 3/15/2007)
Cosponsors: (None)
Latest Major Action: Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: A bill to use data from school years preceding the Gulf hurricane disasters for purposes of determining allotments under title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to institutions impacted by those disasters.
H.R.1556
Title: Married Student Debt Relief Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Terry, Lee [NE] (introduced 3/15/2007)
Cosponsors: (25)
Latest Major Action: 3/15/2007 Referred to House committee
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means
Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to eliminate the marriage penalty on the deduction for interest on student loans.
H.R.1568
Title: Henry Ford Scholarship Program Act
Sponsor: Rep. Knollenberg, Joe [MI] (introduced 03/19/2007)
Cosponsors: (None)
Latest Major Action: 3/19/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: A bill to establish the Henry Ford Scholarship program to provide scholarships to high-achieving students to pursue undergraduate degrees in mathematics, science, engineering, and health-related fields.
H.R.1608
Title: College Aid Made EZ Act
Sponsor: Rep. Miller, George [CA] (introduced 3/20/2007)
Cosponsors: (30)
Latest Major Action: 3/20/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary:
- Amends the HEA to require the Secretary of Education to make the FAFSA: (1) consumer-friendly, with 50% fewer data elements within five years of this Act's enactment; (2) available in both paper and (downloadable) electronic formats; (3) flexible enough to permit applicants to enter data years before enrolling and selectively update information; and (4) include data elements relevant to state student aid determinations.
- Directs the Secretary to develop a simplified paper EZ FAFSA for applicants having no expected family contributions and simplified electronic FAFSAs for applicants to whom a simplified needs test applies.
- Directs the Secretary to conduct a demonstration program assessing the feasibility and benefits of allowing dependent students to apply for aid in their junior year of high school.
- Reduces the types of income and benefits which are considered untaxed and thereby included in student need analyses.
- Excludes untaxed distributions from qualified education benefits as income or assets in computing expected family contributions in student aid calculations. Treats a qualified education benefit as: (1) the parent's asset when considering the family contribution for a dependent student; and (2) the student's asset when considering such contribution for independent students. Excludes from need analyses any untaxed distributions from state prepaid tuition plans or Coverdell education savings accounts.
- Urges the Secretary and the Secretary of the Treasury to develop a process allowing the Department of Education, with the applicant's permission, to complete the FAFSA by drawing income information directly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Allows the Secretary to use the previous tax year's income information to facilitate this end.
H.R.1718
Title: Foreign Language Education Expansion Act
Sponsor: Rep. Moore, Dennis [KS] (introduced 3/27/2007)
Cosponsors: (11)
Latest Major Action: 3/27/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Secretary of Education to assume or cancel loans made under the Federal Family Education Loan or the Direct Loan programs to individuals who have been employed for five consecutive complete school years as full-time foreign language teachers in secondary schools whose enrollment of disadvantaged students exceeds 30% and whose local educational agencies are eligible for funding under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Caps loan forgiveness at $17,500. Limits the benefits of this Act to new borrowers on or after October 1, 2001.
H.R.1779
Title: To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to extend loan forgiveness for certain loans to Head Start teachers.
Sponsor: Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [CT] (introduced 3/29/2007)
Cosponsors: (11)
Latest Major Action: 3/29/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to extend loan forgiveness for certain FFEL and Direct Stafford loans to Head Start teachers who receive a baccalaureate or graduate degree on or after the date of enactment of the Loan Forgiveness for Head Start Teachers Act of 2007.
H.R.1824
Title: To amend title 38, United States Code, to expand the scope of programs of education for which accelerated payments of educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill may be used, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Michaud, Michael [ME] (introduced 03/29/2007)
Cosponsors: (2)
Latest Major Action: 3/29/2007 Referred to House committees.
Status: Referred to the House Committees on Veterans' Affairs, and the Committee on Armed Services.
Summary: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to expand the scope of programs of education for which accelerated payments of educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill may be used, and for other purposes.
H.R.1828
Title: Teaching Fellows Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Price, David [NC] (introduced 03/29/2007)
Cosponsors: (15)
Latest Major Action: 3/29/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: A bill to establish a national teaching fellowship program to encourage individuals to enter and remain in the field of teaching at public schools.
H.R.1877
Title: LIBRARIAN Act
Sponsor: Rep. Becerra, Xavier [CA] (introduced 4/17/2007)
Cosponsors: (6)
Latest Major Action: 4/17/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: A bill to authorize the cancellation of Perkins Loans for students who perform public service as librarians in low-income schools and public libraries.
Companion bill: S.1121
H.R.1994
Title: Financial Aid Accountability and Transparency Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. McKeon, Howard [CA] (introduced 4/23/2007)
Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Major Action: 4/23/2007 Referred to House committees.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor and the Committee on Financial Services.
Summary: A bill to provide more transparency in the financial aid process and to ensure that students are receiving the best information about financial aid opportunities. The bill would address this in four ways:
- Establishing financial aid codes of conduct;
- Reforming "preferred lender lists;"
- Strengthening disclosure for students; and
- Preventing conflicts of interest between lenders and financial aid officers.
H.R.2017
Title: To provide access and assistance to increase college attendance and completion by part-time students.
Sponsor: Rep. Holt, Rush [NJ] (introduced 4/24/2007)
Cosponsors: (29)
Latest Major Action: 4/24/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: A bill to provide access and assistance to increase college attendance and completion by part-time students.
H.R.2023
Title: Sudanese Diaspora Loan Forgiveness Act
Sponsor: Rep. Tancredo, Thomas [CO] (introduced 4/24/2007)
Cosponsors: (3)
Latest Major Action: 4/24/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: A bill to establish a student loan forgiveness program for members of the Sudanese Diaspora to enable them to return to southern Sudan and contribute to the reconstruction effort of southern Sudan.
H.R.2168
Title: Dedicated Dental Service for HIV/AIDS Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Norton, Eleanor [DC] (introduced 5/3/2007)
Cosponsors: (None)
Latest major action: 5/3/2007 Referred to House committee
Status: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Summary: A bill to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a dental education loan repayment program to encourage dentists to serve at facilities with a critical shortage of dentists in areas with a high incidence of HIV/AIDS.
H.R.2204
Title: Teacher Excellence for All Children Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Miller, George [CA] (introduced 5/8/2007)
Cosponsors: (43)
Latest major action: 05/8/2007 Referred to House committees
Status: Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor and the Committee on Ways and Means
Summary: To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, the Higher Education Act of 1965, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to improve recruitment, preparation, distribution, and retention of public elementary and secondary school teachers and principals, and for other purposes. Would provide grants, premium pay, and loan repayment options to qualified individuals.
H.R.2247
Title: Montgomery GI Bill for Life Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Larsen, Rick [WA] (introduced 5/9/2007)
Cosponsors: (None)
Latest major action: 05/9/2007 Referred to House committees
Status: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on Armed Services
Summary: To amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, to repeal the 10-year limit on use of Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance benefits, and for other purposes.
H.R. 2458
Title: Universal Higher Education and Lifetime Learning Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Emanuel, Rahm [IL] (introduced 5/23/2007)
Cosponsors: (11)
Latest Major Action: 5/23/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Summary: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to consolidate the current education tax incentives into one credit against income tax for higher education expenses, and for other purposes.
Related bill: S.1501
H.R. 2465
Title: Income-Dependent Education Assistance Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Thomas Petri [WI] (introduced 5/23/2007)
Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Major Action: 7/17/2007 Referred to House subcommittee.
Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.
Summary: Allows for the consolidation of Federal student loans into a single direct income-contingent loan repayment program.
H.R. 2559
Title: First Higher Education Extension Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep Miller, George [CA-7] (introduced 6/5/2007)
Cosponsors: (3)
Latest Major Action: 6/6/2007 Passed/agreed to in House.
Status: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill. Agreed to by voice vote. Referred to Senate committee.
Summary: To temporarily extend the programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes.
H.R. 2642**
Title: Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008
Sponsor: Rep. Edwards, Chet [TX] (introduced 6/11/2007)
Cosponsors: (None)
Latest major action: 6/30/2008 Signed by the President
Summary: Title III of this bill makes significant changes to veterans education benefits:
- Creates the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008, to entitle educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill to individuals who, on or after September 11, 2001, serve on active duty in the Armed Forces for: (1) at least 36 months; (2) at least 30 continuous days; or (3) less than 36 months or 30 continuous days, but are discharged or released under honorable conditions, placed into reserve service, or discharged or released from duty due to certain qualifying physical or mental conditions or hardship.
- Creates the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program, under which colleges and universities may enter into an agreement with the Secretary to cover, for certain individuals, a portion of established charges not otherwise covered and match contributions toward such costs.
- Increases the amounts of basic educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill for the period beginning on August 1, 2008, and ending on September 30, 2009, and revises the formula for determining cost-of-living adjustments to such assistance.
H.R. 2669
Title: College Cost Reduction and Access Act
Sponsor: Rep. Miller, George [CA] introduced 6/12/2007)
Cosponsors: (31)
Latest Major Action: 9/27/2007 Signed by the President.
Status: On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 292 - 97.
Summary: The bill includes many of the provisions found in legislation previously proposed in the 110th Congress. It provides for changes to several areas of the HEA:
Loan terms and repayment
- Establishes a new income-based repayment option for borrowers, under which a borrower's loan payments will not exceed 15 percent of discretionary income or 15 percent of the amount that a borrower's (and spouse's if applicable) adjusted gross income exceeds 150 percent of the poverty line, divided by 12. PLUS loans made on behalf of a dependent student and Consolidation loans that include such PLUS loans are not eligible for this repayment option.
- Removes the three-year limitation on the military deferment and extends the deferment through 180 days following demobilization. Available to FFEL, Direct loan, and Perkins loan borrowers, regardless of the date the loan was disbursed.
- Creates a new 13-month deferment for borrowers returning from active duty, and who were enrolled in an eligible institution prior to being called or ordered to active duty.
- Establishes a Direct loan forgiveness program for public service employees.
- Reduces the fixed interest rate for undergraduate subsidized Stafford loans (FFEL and Direct) from 6.8% to 3.4% over 4 years:
- For loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2008, and before July 1, 2009, the rate will be 6.0%;
- For loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2009, and before July 1, 2010, the rate will be 5.6%;
- For loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2010, and before July 1, 2011, the rate will be 4.5%;
- For loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2011, and before July 1, 2012, the rate will be 3.4%
- For loans first disbursed on or after July 1, 2012, the rate will revert back to 6.8%.
Changes to FFELP administration
- Reduces the special allowance payment (SAP) for for-profit lenders by 55 basis points for Stafford and Consolidation loans (85 basis points for PLUS loans) for loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 2007.
- Reduces the SAP for not-for-profit lenders by 40 basis points for Stafford and Consolidation loans (70 basis points for PLUS loans) for loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 2007.
- Reduces the guarantor collection retention rate from 23% to 16%, effective October 1, 2007.
- Reduces the guarantor Account Maintenance Fee from 0.10% to 0.06%.
- Increases the lender paid origination fee for FFELP loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 2007, from 0.5% to 1.0%.
- Eliminates the exceptional performer designation, effective October 1, 2007; lenders designated as exceptional performers prior to October 1, 2007, may retain that designation for the remainder of the year for which it was made.
- Requires a pilot program to auction FFELP parent PLUS loans for new borrowers on or after July 1, 2009.
- Reduces lender insurance from 97% to 95% for loans disbursed on or after October 1, 2012. Lender of last resort loans and exempt claims will remain insured at 100%.
Grants to students and need analysis
- Repeals tuition sensitivity in the Pell Grant Program, effective for award years beginning on or after July 1, 2007;
- Increases the maximum Pell grant award annually beginning in 2008-2009, from the current $4,310, as follows:
- $4,800 for the 2008-09 and 2009-10 award years
- $5,000 for the 2010-11 and 2011-12 award years
- $5,400 for the 2012-13 award year;
- Establishes a new TEACH (Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education) Grant Program for teacher candidates who meet eligibility criteria and agree to a teaching commitment. The awards, up to $4000 per year (not to exceed a total of $16,000 for undergraduate students or $8,000 for graduate students), will be available to qualified teacher candidates beginning July 1, 2008.
- Increases the income levels necessary to qualify for the simplified needs test and auto-zero EFC beginning July 1, 2009.
- Increases the income protection allowance beginning July 1, 2009.
H.R. 2672
Title: Real Access to College Education Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Adrian [NE] (introduced 6/12/2007)
Cosponsors: (3)
Latest Major Action: 6/12/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Summary: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a deduction for the cost of attendance at an eligible educational institution.
H.R. 2690
Title: College Affordability and Accountability Act
Sponsor: Rep. Tierney, John [MA] (introduced 6/12/2007)
Cosponsors: (35)
Latest Major Action: 6/12/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary:To address rising college tuition by establishing cost containment strategies, and incentives and rewards for institutions that restrain tuition increases.
H.R. 2702
Title: Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Scott, Robert [VA] (introduced 6/13/2007)
Cosponsors: (4)
Latest Major Action: 6/13/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Summary: To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish a program of educational assistance for members of the Armed Forces who serve in the Armed Forces after September 11, 2001, and for other purposes.
H.R. 2764
Title: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008
Sponsor: Rep. Lowey, Nita M. [NY] (introduced 6/18/2007)
Cosponsors: (None)
Latest Major Action: 12/19/2007 Cleared for White House.
Status: Passed/agreed to by House by 272-142 margin.
Summary: Omnibus FY08 appropriations bill. Although the bill will reduce the discretionary 08-09 Pell Grant maximum to $4,241 from its current level of $4,310, Pell maximum will reach an overall total of $4,731 in 08-09 due to mandatory funds redirected from the FFEL program by the CCRAA.
H.R. 2782
Title: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses.
Sponsor: Rep. Rehberg, Dennis [MT] (introduced 6/19/2007)
Cosponsors: (None)
Latest Major Action: 6/19/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Summary: Extends the IRS tuition and fees deduction through December 31, 2009.
H.R.2910
Title: VETS Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Davis, Susan A. [CA] (introduced 6/28/2007)
Cosponsors: (78)
Latest major action: 6/26/2008 House committee/subcommittee actions.
Status: Forwarded by subcommittee to full committee (amended) by voice vote.
Summary: Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to provide for reimbursement to members of the Armed Forces of tuition for programs of education delayed by military service, and for deferment of students loans and reduced interest rates for members of the Armed Forces during periods of military service.
H.R. 3043
Title: Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008. Making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Obey, David R. [WI] (introduced 7/13/2007)
Cosponsors: (None)
Latest Major Action: 11/13/2007 Vetoed by President.
Status: House was unable to override the President's veto (2/3 required). Final vote: 277 - 141.
House Reports: 110-231
Note: The House Rules Committee has posted the conference report. Division A covers FY2008 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations; Division B covers FY2008 Military Construction-Veterans Affairs appropriations (previously H.R. 2642).
H.R. 3122
Title: Second Higher Education Extension Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Miller, George [CA] (introduced 7/23/2007)
Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Major Action: 7/23/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: Provides for a "clean" extension of the Higher Education Act through September 30, 2007.
H.R. 3378
Title: College Affordability for Working Students Act.
Sponsor: Rep. Baird, Brian [WA] (introduced 8/3/2007)
Cosponsors: (None)
Latest Major Action: 8/3/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: Establishes a demonstration Stafford loan program for students enrolled less than halftime.
H.R. 3512
Title: College Textbook Affordability and Transparency Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Julia Carson [IN] (introduced 9/10/2007)
Cosponsors: (6)
Latest Major Action: 9/10/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: To ensure that college textbooks and supplemental materials are available and affordable.
H.R. 3625
Title: To permanently extend the waiver authority of the Secretary under the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act of 2003
Sponsor: Rep. John Kline [MN] (introduced 9/18/2007)
Cosponsors: (3)
Latest Major Action: 9/28/2007 Signed by the President
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: Makes permanent the waiver authority of the Secretary of Education with respect to student financial assistance during a war or other military operation or national emergency.
H.R. 3634
Title: STEP (Strategic Technology/Engineering Program) Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [MO] (introduced 9/24/2007)
Cosponsors: (None)
Latest Major Action: 9/24/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: To establish and determine the eligibility of individuals for a loan forgiveness program for professional engineers in order to provide incentives for engineers currently employed and engineering students and other students pursuing or considering pursuing a degree in science, technology and engineering, and for the support of students pursing such secondary and postsecondary education.
H.R. 3746
Title: College Access and Opportunity Act of 2007
Sponsor: McKeon, Howard P. "Buck" [CA] (introduced 10/4/2007)
Cosponsors: (8)
Latest Major Action: 10/4/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: House Republican HEA reauthorization bill, which includes measures that would:
- Ensure fair loan terms for parents and graduate students;
- Align interest rates for parent and graduate PLUS borrowers in the Federal Family Education Loan Program with the 7.9% currently offered in the Direct Loan program;
- Provide for greater disclosure of data on higher education costs to students and families to ensure more informed higher education choices;
- Provide for more transparency on college tuition costs;
- Protect students from financial aid conflicts of interest;
- Hold accrediting agencies more accountable by making information more public;
- Make transfer of credit policies public;
- Strengthen Pell Grants by providing year-round aid;
- Simplify the financial aid process by eliminating select questions on the FAFSA;
- Ensure fair treatment of institutions of higher education by rescinding the “90/10” rule; and
- Provide loan forgiveness to professionals in high demand fields, among other proposals.
H.R. 3879
Title: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses.
Sponsor: Rep. Murphy, Patrick J. [PA] (introduced 10/17/2007)
Cosponsors: (None)
Latest Major Action: 10/17/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Summary: Provides for a one-year extension, through 2008, of the tax deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses found in the Internal Revenue Service Code
Related bill: H.R.2782
H.R. 3996
Title: Temporary Tax Relief Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Rangel, Charles B. [NY] (introduced 10/30/2007)
Cosponsors: (None)
Latest Major Action: 11/14/2007 Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 487.
Summary: Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the alternative minimum tax, the discharge of mortgage indebtedness, and tax administration and extends certain expiring tax credits, deductions (including the tuition deduction), and other tax incentives.
H.R. 4046
Title: Student Disability Fairness Act
Sponsor: Rep. Altmire, Jason [PA] (introduced 11/1/2007)
Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Major Action: 11/1/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Department of Education to accept certifications of permanent and total disability by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the purpose of student loan discharge.
H.R. 4130
Title: Montgomery GI Bill Enhancement Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Walberg, Timothy [MI] (introduced 11/9/2007)
Cosponsors: (20)
Latest Major Action: 11/9/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Summary: To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for certain servicemembers to become eligible for educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill.
H.R.4137
Title: Higher Education Opportunity Act
Sponsor: Rep. Miller, George [CA] (introduced 11/9/2007)
Cosponsors: (29)
Latest major action: 8/31/2008 Cleared for White House.
Amends and extends the Higher Education Act of 1965. The provisions in H.R. 4137 may be loosely categorized according to the groups they will most heavily impact, as follows:
Borrowers
- Increases the maximum Pell grant award to $8,000 by academic year 2014-2015 (subject to annual appropriations).
- Effective July 1, 2009, permits year-round Pell grants.
- Limits a student who receives his or her first Pell grant on or after July 1, 2008, to a maximum of 18 semesters of eligibility.
- Allows an interest rate reduction on a FFELP loan first disbursed on or after July 1, 2008, for borrowers who qualify under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act; prevents interest from accruing on Direct Loans first disbursed on or after October 1, 2008, for up to 60 months, for certain eligible military borrowers. This benefit will also be available to eligible FFELP borrowers who obtain a Direct Consolidation loan used to repay a FFELP loan first disbursed on or after October 1, 2008.
- Restricts loan rehabilitation to a one-time benefit per loan (currently this is an unlimited benefit).
- Revises the timeframe and eligibility requirements for discharge of a loan due to total and permanent disability, effective July 1, 2010.
- Subject to appropriations, and on a "first-come, first-served basis," provides loan forgiveness of $2,000 per year to FFELP and Direct Loan borrowers serving in areas of national need, up to a maximum of $10,000. Borrowers must be employed full time and must not be in default. PLUS loans and certain consolidation loans will not qualify for this program. This program will become effective in fiscal year 2009.
Schools
- Revises the 90/10 rule, which currently states that a proprietary institution must have not less than 10 percent of its revenue from sources other than Title IV funds.
- Revises the required content of Stafford and Perkins loan counseling.
- Increases the annual and aggregate loan limits in the Perkins Loan Program.
- Establishes preferred lender list requirements that closely mirror those found in the November 1, 2007, final rules.
- Requires schools to "establish, follow, and enforce" a code of conduct regarding student loans.
- Removes veterans' education benefits from the definition of estimated financial assistance, effective July 1, 2010.
Lenders
- Establishes prohibited inducement rules that closely mirror those found in the November 1, 2007, final rules.
- Reinstates a lender's or servicer's ability (removed in the November 1, 2007, final rules) to provide loan entrance and exit counseling on behalf of a school, as long as the school's staff are in control of the counseling (whether in person or via electronic capabilities), and the counseling does not promote the products or services of any specific lender.
- Introduces a multitude of new FFELP borrower disclosure requirements to be provided at various points throughout the life of the loan.
Guarantors
- Reinstates a guarantor's ability (removed in the November 1, 2007, final rules) to provide loan entrance and exit counseling on behalf of a school, as long as the school's staff are in control of the counseling (whether in person or via electronic capabilities), and the counseling does not promote the products or services of any specific lender.
- Establishes prohibited inducement rules that closely mirror those found in the November 1, 2007, final rules.
- Requires guarantors to provide training to students and families in budgeting and financial management, including debt management and other aspects of financial literacy.
H.R. 4137 also adds a new section to the HEA, Title X, which addresses private education loans and the Truth in Lending Act. Title X defines a private education loan as a loan made by a private education lender for postsecondary expenses, regardless of whether the loan is released directly to the borrower or through the school. Private education loans do not include Title IV loans, open- end consumer credit plans, and loans secured by real property. It also establishes prohibited inducement rules, conflict of interest rules, a prohibition on early repayment penalties, borrower disclosure requirements, the requirement that a borrower complete a "self-certification," and a mandatory cancellation period.
H.R. 4149
Title: Truth-in-Tuition Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Murphy, Patrick J. [PA] (introduced 11/9/2007)
Cosponsors: (3)
Latest Major Action: 11/9/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: To amend Section 487(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to limit excessive fluctuations in tuition to help students and families plan for college costs. Establishes incentives and rewards for low or guaranteed tuition.
H.R. 4152
Title: Fire Fighter Higher Education Incentive Act of 2007
Sponsor: Rep. Sarbanes, John P. [MD] (introduced 11/9/2007)
Cosponsors: (7)
Latest Major Action: 11/9/2007 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: Amends Section 465(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide loan forgiveness under the Federal Perkins Loan program for Federal, State, and local fire fighters.
H.R. 5143
Title: Securing Success for Veterans on Campus Act of 2008.
Sponsor: Rep. Hinojosa, Ruben [TX] (introduced 1/28/2008)
Cosponsors: (21)
Latest Major Action: 1/28/2008 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: To encourage model programs to support veteran student success in postsecondary education by coordinating services to address the academic, financial, physical, and social needs of veteran students.
H.R. 5157
Title: Removing Impediments to Students Education Act (RISE Act)
Sponsor: Rep. Frank, Barney [MA] (introduced 1/29/2008)
Cosponsors: (75)
Latest Major Action: 1/29/2008 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Summary: To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to repeal the provisions prohibiting persons convicted of drug offenses from receiving student financial assistance.
H.R. 5474
Title: Student Veteran Financial Aid Fairness Act of 2008
Sponsor: Rep Mitchell, Harry E. [AZ] (introduced 2/19/2008)
Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Major Action: 2/19/2008 Referred to House committee
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor
Summary: To prevent payments of educational assistance for veterans and members of the Selected Reserve from being offset in the calculation of financial aid under the Higher Education Act of 1965.
H.R. 5516
Title: Officer Daniel Faulkner Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act of 2008
Sponsor: Rep Murphy, Patrick J. [PA] (introduced 2/28/2008)
Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Major Action: 2/28/2008 Referred to House committee
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor
Summary: To increase Federal Pell Grants for the children of fallen police officers, firefighters, and other first responders.
H.R. 5715**
Title: Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008
Sponsor: Rep Miller, George [CA] (introduced 4/8/2008)
Cosponsors: (31)
Latest Major Action: 5/7/2008 Signed by President and became Public Law No: 110-227
Summary: Includes the following provisions:
Effective upon enactment of the bill, H.R. 5715:
- Authorizes the Secretary of Education to designate an entire institution as eligible for the lender-of-last-resort (LLR) program after a school demonstrates that it has:
- Attempted to secure lenders willing to make loans to its students and
- Met a minimum threshold of students unable to obtain FFELP loans
- Requires guarantors and lenders serving in the LLR program to abide by existing statutory marketing and inducement prohibitions
- Authorizes the Secretary, acting as a secondary market lender, to purchase, or to enter into forward commitments to purchase, FFELP Stafford and PLUS loans originated on or after October 1, 2003, and before July 1, 2009. Such purchases must not carry any cost for the federal government and must provide that the FFELP lender that originated the loans uses the sale proceeds to continue its FFELP participation. This authorization also:
- Allows lenders to continue servicing loans purchased by the Secretary as long as the cost does not exceed the cost ED would otherwise incur for servicing those loans
- Instructs the Secretary of Education to consult with the Secretary of Treasury to determine purchase prices
- Requires publication of the terms and conditions governing the purchase and the methodologies used to determine purchase prices in the Federal Register
- Requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to analyze how increased loan limits affect college costs and private loan borrowing and report findings within one year of bill becoming law
- Urges federal agencies to coordinate efforts to ensure access for federal student loans for academic year 2008-09
Effective July 1, 2008:
- Requires the Secretary, beginning July 1, 2008, and ending June 30, 2010, to:
- Disseminate information regarding LLR loan availability
- Provide copies of new or revised LLR agreements with guarantors
- Report on a quarterly basis the number and amounts of LLR loans originated by each guarantor and lender and any related activities
- Offer a budget estimate comparing costs of LLR loans to Direct loans
- Beginning July 1, 2010, provide an annual LLR report
- Increases by $2,000 the unsubsidized Stafford annual loan limit for dependent undergraduates
- Increases by $2,000 the additional unsubsidized Stafford annual loan amounts available to independent undergraduates, and to dependent undergraduates whose parents cannot obtain a PLUS loan. These limits will increase from an additional $4,000 to $6,000 per year for first- and second-year undergraduate students, and from $5,000 to $7,000 per year for third-, fourth-, and fifth-year undergraduate students.
- Increases the Stafford aggregate loan limits to $31,000 for dependent undergraduates and to $57,500 for independent undergraduates and dependent undergraduates whose parents cannot obtain a PLUS loan (but the subsidized Stafford portion of the aggregate limit still may not exceed $23,000 for both groups)
- Provides a parent PLUS loan borrower the option to defer repayment up to six months after his or her dependent student ceases to be enrolled at least half time. Regarding the interest associated with that loan:
- The parent borrower may pay accruing interest on a monthly or quarterly basis; or
- The lender may capitalize the unpaid accruing interest on a quarterly basis
- Provides deferment of a PLUS loan when the borrower meets certain existing deferment eligibility, such as pursuing at least half-time study, unemployment, and economic hardship
- Permits a lender to consider an otherwise eligible PLUS loan applicant if between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2009, he or she is:
- Delinquent 180 days or fewer on a primary residence mortgage or medical bill
- Delinquent no more than 89 days on any other debt
H.R. 5715 also changes the Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) and National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART) programs as follows. These provisions are effective January 1, 2009:
- Extends prorated ACG and SMART grant eligibility to students enrolled at least half time
- Broadens ACG and SMART grants eligibility to eligible non-citizens (i.e., permanent residents)
- Replaces "academic year" with "year" for purposes of progression through grant levels
- Seems to diminish the Secretary's authority to define "rigorous secondary school program of study," deferring to state designation of such programs
- Extends ACG eligibility to students enrolled in at least a one- or two-year certificate program at a degree-granting institution
- Offers SMART eligibility to students who are enrolled in a single baccalaureate-level liberal arts curriculum if the coursework is equivalent to a SMART-eligible major at other bachelor degree-granting institutions
- Adds a fifth year to SMART eligibility for programs that require five years
Unlike the loan-related provisions of H.R. 5715, changes to the ACG and SMART grant programs are subject to the negotiated rulemaking process prior to implementation.
H.R. 5723
Title: Emergency Student Loan Market Liquidity Act
Sponsor: Rep. Kanjorski, Paul E. [PA] (introduced 4/8/2008)
Cosponsors: (11)
Related Bills: S.2847
Latest Major Action: 4/8/2008 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Summary: To amend the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to allow Federal home loan banks to invest surplus funds in student loan securities and make advances for student loan financing.
H.R. 5914
Title: Student Loan Access Act of 2008
Sponsor: Rep. Kanjorski, Paul E. [PA-11] (introduced 4/29/2008)
Cosponsors: None
Latest Major Action: 4/29/2008 Referred to House committee.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Summary:
- Authorizes the Federal Financing Bank, until July 1, 2009, to: (1) purchase guaranteed loans originated under the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, or participation interests in such loans; (2) advance funds to eligible lenders for the purpose of originating or purchasing FFELP loans; and (3) invest in securities collateralized with FFELP loans.
- Prohibits such FFEL purchases from resulting in any net cost to the federal government.
- Permits the Secretary of the Treasury to extend the Bank's authority to take such actions beyond July 1, 2009, if economic conditions threaten timely, uninterrupted access to student loans.
H.R. 6144
Title: The Teacher Education Assistance Creating Hope (TEACH) for our Future Act
Sponsor: Rep. Baca, Joe [CA] (introduced 5/22/2008)
Cosponsors: (None)
Latest major action: 5/22/2008 Referred to House committee
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor
Summary: Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand the loan forgiveness available to public elementary and secondary school teachers under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) and Direct Loan (DL) programs by:
- Removing the current requirements limiting loan forgiveness to: (1) new borrowers on or after October 1, 1998; and (2) highly qualified teachers in certain schools that serve a high proportion of disadvantaged students.
- Maintaining the requirement that such teachers teach full time for five consecutive complete school years before becoming eligible for loan forgiveness.
- Raising to $25,000 the amount of the FFEL or DL outstanding balance that may be forgiven after a public school teacher's fifth complete school year of teaching.
- Maintaining current loan forgiveness eligibility requirements for private elementary and secondary school teachers.
H.R.6224
Title: Pilot College Work Study Programs for Veterans Act of 2008
Sponsor: Rep. Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie [SD] (introduced 6/10/2008)
Cosponsors: (1)
Latest major action: 6/26/2008 House committee/subcommittee actions.
Status: Forwarded by subcommittee to full committee by voice vote.
Summary: Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a five-year pilot project to test the feasibility and advisability of expanding the scope of certain qualifying work-study activities under title 38, United States Code.
H.R.6889
Title: To extend the authority of the Secretary of Education to purchase guaranteed student loans for an additional year.
Sponsor: Rep. Miller, George [CA] (introduced 9/15/2008)
Cosponsors: (3)
Related Bills: H.R.5715
Latest major action: 9/17/2008 Cleared for White House.
Summary: extends through the 2009-10 academic year the loan purchase commitment program and loan participation purchase program authorized under the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act (ECASLA).
Senate Bills
S. 7
Title: College Opportunity Act of 2007
Sponsor: Sen. Reid, Harry [NV] (introduced 1/4/2007)
Cosponsors: (21)
Latest Major Action: 1/4/2007 Referred to Senate committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- S.7 is a placeholder bill to amend title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and other laws and provisions and urge Congress to make college more affordable through increased Federal Pell Grants and providing more favorable student loans and other benefits, and for other purposes.
S.22
Title: Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2007
Sponsor: Senator Webb, Jim [VA] (introduced 1/4/2007)
Cosponsors: (8)
Latest Major Action: 1/4/2007 Referred to Senate committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Establishes a program of educational assistance for members of the Armed Forces who serve in the Armed Forces after September 11, 2001.
- Requires such educational assistance to be used within 15 years of the individual's discharge or release from active duty (with exceptions).
- Allows individuals currently under the Montgomery GI Bill educational assistance program to elect to participate in the post-9/11 educational assistance program with respect to any unused entitlement.
S.26
Title: Lifelong Learning Accounts Act of 2007
Sponsor: Senator Cantwell, Maria [WA] (introduced 1/4/2007)
Cosponsors: (2)
Latest Major Action: 1/4/2007 Referred to Senate committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Finance.
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Amends the Internal Revenue Code to:
- establish a tax-exempt lifelong learning account for the payment of certain employee higher education and training expenses;
- allow individuals a nonrefundable tax credit for contributions to such accounts; and
- allow employers a business-related tax credit for contributions to such accounts.
S.97
Title: College Opportunity Tax Credit Act of 2007
Sponsor: Senator Kerry, John [MA] (introduced 1/4/2007)
Cosponsors: (None)
Latest Major Action: 1/4/2007 Referred to Senate committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Finance.
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Amends the Internal Revenue Code to replace the Hope Scholarship and Lifetime Learning Tax Credits with an increased, partially refundable college opportunity tax credit to cover up to four years (currently, limited to two years) of the tuition and related expenses of full or part-time postsecondary and graduate students.
S.141
Title: The College Savings Act of 2007
Sponsor: Senator Cantwell, Maria [WA] (introduced 1/4/2007)
Cosponsors: (None)
Latest Major Action: 1/4/2007 Referred to Senate committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Finance.
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the maximum annual contribution limit for Coverdell education savings accounts from $2,000 to $5,000 and make such increase permanent; and allow a tax deduction up to $5,000 for contributions to an education savings account.
S.282
Title: College Student Relief Act of 2007
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard [IL] (introduced 1/12/2007)
Cosponsors: (1)
Latest Major Action: 1/12/2007 Referred to Senate committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Gradually reduces undergraduate subsidized Stafford loan interest rates under the FFELP from 6.8% in July 2006 to 3.4% in July 2011.
S.301
Title: Nontraditional Student Success Act
Sponsor: Senator Clinton, Hillary [NY] (introduced 1/16/2007)
Cosponsors: (3)
Latest Major Action: 1/16/2007 Referred to Senate committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Finance.
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Increases yearly maximum Pell grant amounts and revises requirements for the allowance of two Pell grants during a single award year.
- Requires the Secretary to publish annually in the Federal Register a revised table of income protection allowances.
- Excludes the earned income tax credit (EITC) from financial aid determinations.
- Authorizes the Secretary to select institutions of higher education for a Nontraditional Students Demonstration Program to test the effectiveness of providing expanded financial assistance to less than half-time students and students in compressed, modular, or other alternative schedules.
- Directs the Secretary to award competitive grants to eligible institutions to improve remedial education.
- Increases minimum grant amounts for the Federal TRIO programs.
- Directs the Secretary to establish a website and brochures for providing outreach about financial aid and education tax credits that targets employers, one-stop centers, Head Start centers, and other appropriate locations.
- Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the percentage Lifetime Learning income tax credit for qualified higher education expenses, but reduce the maximum annual dollar amount. Makes a portion of the credit refundable. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a program for making advance payments of such credits to eligible institutions on behalf of certified individuals.
S.335
Title: A bill to prohibit the Internal Revenue Service from using private debt collection companies, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Senator Dorgan, Byron [ND] (introduced 1/18/2007)
Cosponsors: (18)
Latest Major Action: 1/18/2007 Referred to Senate committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Finance.
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Requires the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to suspend the use of private debt collection companies to collect unpaid taxes and prohibits the use of any IRS funds for tax collection contracts with private companies.
Related bill: H.R.695
S.359
Title: Student Debt Relief Act
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, Edward [MA] (introduced 1/22/2007)
Cosponsors: (8)
Latest Major Action: 1/22/2007 Referred to Senate committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Finance.
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Provides incentives to encourage schools to use the DL program
- Increases the annual Pell grant limit to $6300 by academic year 2011-2012
- Gradually cuts interest rates on subsidized Stafford loans to 3.4% by July 1, 2011
- Provides loan forgiveness to DL borrowers employed in certain public service jobs
- Limits federal student loan payment amounts for borrowers experiencing financial hardship
- Allows for in-school consolidation and reconsolidation
S.360
Title: Greater Access to Education Act of 2007
Sponsor: Senator Bingaman, Jeff [NM] (introduced 1/23/2007)
Cosponsors: (3)
Latest Major Action: 1/23/2007 Referred to Senate committee.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Finance.
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand expenses which qualify for the Hope Scholarship Credit and to make the Hope Scholarship Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit refundable.
S.481
Title: Tribal Colleges and Universities Faculty Loan Forgiveness Act
Sponsor: Senator Conrad, Kent [ND] (introduced 2/1/2007)
Cosponsors: (8)
Latest Major Action: 2/8/2007 Senate committee/subcommittee actions.
Status: Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Summary: Highlights of this bill include:
- Provides for loan repayment or cancellation for individuals who teach in tribal colleg