Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 01/05/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1-2)

Bill Text
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prevent veterans' contributions to education benefits from reducing Federal student financial assistance.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Veterans' Equity in Education Act of 2007 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 with respect to 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.

Latest Action: 03/29/2007 - Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3283-3338; text of measure as reported in House: CR H3283-3289)

Bill Text
Revising the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2007, establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2008, and setting forth appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2009 through 2012. 3/29/2007--Passed House without amendment.    (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.) Revises and replaces the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2007. Sets forth the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2008, including the appropriate budgetary levels for FY2009-FY2012. Title I: Recommended Levels and Amounts - (Sec. 101) Recommends budgetary levels and amounts for FY2007-FY2012 for: (1) federal revenues; (2) new budget authority; (3) budget outlays; (4) deficits (on-budget); (5) debt subject to limit; [...]

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Latest Action: 05/09/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.

Bill Text
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to address the issues of college affordability and transparency. 1/16/2007--Introduced. College Affordability and Transparency Act of 2007 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Commissioner of Education Statistics, in redesigning the College Opportunity On-Line (COOL) website, to identify and include the data of greatest importance to prospective and enrolled students, and their families. Requires the Secretary of Education to publish, on such website, additional college affordability information comparing the change in each school's student costs with the change in the consumer price index (CPI) over the most recent three-year period. Requires a school whose prices increase at more than twice the percentage change in the CPI over such time period to: (1) report an explanation to the Secretary; and (2) establish a quality-efficiency task force to review the school's operations, if the school's price [...]

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Latest Action: 02/01/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1533-1534)

Bill Text
A bill to establish requirements for lenders and institutions of higher education in order to protect students and other borrowers receiving educational loans. 2/1/2007--Introduced. Student Loan Sunshine Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require each lender entering into an educational loan arrangement with a postsecondary school to: (1) report annually to the Secretary of Education specified information concerning such arrangement; (2) inform borrowers of their loan options under title IV (Student Assistance) before extending private educational loans for attendance at such school; and (3) be barred by such school from marketing such loans in a manner implying the school's endorsement. Directs the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees on the adequacy of educational loan information provided to borrowers, including a model format for lender use in providing annual loan information to the Secretary and covered schools. Requires [...]

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Latest Action: 05/18/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.

Bill Text
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education to preserve the educational status and financial resources of military personnel called to active duty. 1/17/2007--Introduced. Military Educational Parity Act of 2007 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require 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 [...]

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Latest Action: 09/07/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H10267)

Bill Text
To expand the definition of independent student in the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include homeless youth.

1/22/2007--Introduced.

FAFSA Fix for Homeless Kids Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to deem a student independent for financial aid purposes if such student has been verified as both a homeless child or youth and an unaccompanied youth by: (1) a local educational agency liaison for homeless children and youth; (2) a director of a homeless shelter, transitional shelter, or independent living program; or (3) a financial aid administrator.

Requires such a verification to take place during the school year in which the application for such aid is submitted.

Latest Action: 05/18/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.

Bill Text
To reduce and prevent the sale and use of fraudulent degrees in order to protect the integrity of valid higher education degrees that are used for Federal purposes. 1/31/2007--Introduced. Diploma Integrity Protection Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Education to make available to the Secretary of Homeland Security and the heads of other appropriate federal agencies a list of: (1) accrediting agencies and associations recognized by the Secretary or by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation; (2) institutions of higher education eligible under the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program; and (3) foreign institutions of higher education whose authority to issue degrees is accepted in their home country and that the Secretary deems to be academically equivalent to FFEL participants in this country. Conditions a school's eligibility for student assistance funding under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 on its providing notice on its internet [...]

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Latest Action: 06/05/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.

Bill Text
To provide for Project GRAD programs, and for other purposes. 2/7/2007--Introduced. Graduation Really Achieves Dreams Act or the GRAD Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award a grant to Project GRAD USA, a nonprofit educational organization for improving high school graduation and college attendance and completion rates for disadvantaged students, to provide technical assistance and support through subgrants to existing and new programs that implement a set of integrated education reform services. Requires the grantee to select only subgrantees that serve a substantial number or percentage of low-income students. Requires the programs to identify one or more groups of public schools at which services will be provided through a feeder pattern through which elementary and secondary schools channel students having participated in program services into an identified high school. Requires program services to include: (1) research-based programs in reading,[...]

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Latest Action: 06/05/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.

Bill Text
To establish requirements for lenders and institutions of higher education in order to protect students and other borrowers receiving educational loans. 5/9/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Student Loan Sunshine Act - (Sec. 2) Amends title I of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to create a new part E (Lender and Institution Requirements Relating to Educational Loans). Requires each lender entering into a preferred lender arrangement with a covered institution (schools that provide postsecondary studies and receive federal funds) to: (1) certify annually to the Secretary of Education that all of the preferred lender arrangements in which it participates are in compliance with the requirements of this Act; (2) inform borrowers of their loan options under title IV (Student Assistance), including information on more favorable loans under such title, before extending private educational loans for attendance at such institution; and (3) [...]

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Latest Action: 03/20/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3383-3384)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand college access and increase college persistence, and for other purposes. 3/20/2007--Introduced. Accessing College through Comprehensive Early Outreach and State Partnerships Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to replace the current special leveraging educational assistance partnership program with a program of allotments to enable states to: (1) expand and enhance partnerships with institutions of higher education, early information and intervention, mentoring, or outreach programs, private corporations, philanthropic organizations, and other interested parties to carry out specified activities and provide coordination and cohesion among federal, state, and local governmental and private efforts providing financial assistance to help low-income students attend college; (2) provide need-based grants for college access and increased college persistence to eligible low-income students; (3) provide early notification [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 09/25/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Bill Text
To require, as a condition of participation in the programs under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, public institutions of higher education to charge dependent children of members of the Armed Forces a rate of tuition equal to the rate of tuition charged to in-State residents.

9/25/2008--Introduced.

Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require public institutions of higher education participating in student aid programs to charge dependent children of members of the Armed Forces a tuition rate equal to the rate for in-state residents.

Applies such tuition rate throughout the program of study for which a student is enrolled, even if the student's parent becomes a former member of the Armed Forces before the completion of studies.

Latest Action: 09/11/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Bill Text
To deny certain Federal funds to any institution of higher education that admits as students aliens who are unlawfully present in the United States.

9/11/2008--Introduced.

Secure Education for Americans Today Act of 2008 or the SEAT Act of 2008 - Prohibits the provision of federal funds to institutions of higher education that admit illegal aliens.

Prohibits such provision from being construed as denying federal student assistance to students attending such schools.

Latest Action: 07/30/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to increase the recruitment and retention of school counselors, school social workers, and school psychologists by low-income local educational agencies. 7/30/2008--Introduced. Increased Student Achievement Through Increased Student Support Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to award competitive, renewable, five-year grants to partnerships between low-income local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools offering graduate programs in school counseling, social work, or psychology to increase the number of program graduates employed by low-income LEAs. Defines "low-income LEAs" as those that: (1) serve students at least 20% of which are from low-income families; (2) have ratios of school counselors, social workers, and psychologists to students that fall at least 10% below specified target ratios; and (3) have been identified as needing improvement or corrective action or include at least one school identified as needing improvement, corrective action,[...]

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Latest Action: 07/30/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Bill Text
To increase the recruitment and retention of school counselors, school social workers, and school psychologists by low-income local educational agencies. 7/30/2008--Introduced. Increased Student Achievement Through Increased Student Support Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to award competitive, renewable, five-year grants to partnerships between low-income local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools offering graduate programs in school counseling, social work, or psychology to increase the number of program graduates employed by low-income LEAs. Defines "low-income LEAs" as those that: (1) serve students at least 20% of which are from low-income families; (2) have ratios of school counselors, social workers, and psychologists to students that fall at least 10% below specified target ratios; and (3) have been identified as needing improvement or corrective action or include at least one school identified as needing improvement, corrective action, [...]

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Latest Action: 07/31/2008 - Became Public Law No: 110-300.

Bill Text
A bill to temporarily extend the programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965.

7/30/2008--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Amends the Higher Education Extension Act of 2005 to extend the programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965 through August 15, 2008.

Latest Action: 07/26/2008 - Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Akaka. With written report No. 110-433. Supplemental views filed.

Bill Text
An original bill to amend chapter 33 of title 38, United States Code, to clarify and improve authorities relating to the availability of post-9/11 veterans educational assistance, and for other purposes. 7/26/2008--Reported to Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Revises the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) program of educational assistance for veterans who have served in the Armed Forces since September 11, 2001, to provide the maximum rates to be paid to individuals pursuing programs of education outside the United States at branches of educational institutions: (1) based in the United States; and (2) not based in the United States. Allows only public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education to participate in a VA program of public-private contributions for additional educational assistance [...]

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Latest Action: 07/24/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7289-7290)

Bill Text
A bill to authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to local education agencies to improve college access. 7/24/2008--Introduced. Pathways to College Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award competitive five-year grants to local educational agencies that serve mostly high-need secondary schools for programs to increase the number of students from low-income families who attend college. Defines "high-need secondary schools" as those where at least one-half of the students are from low-income families.Requires grantees to use such funds to: (1) train teachers and counselors to provide students with advice concerning postsecondary education; (2) ensure that each student receives postsecondary information and planning assistance before the end of their first semester of secondary school; (3) inform students and parents regarding the benefits, expenses, and financing of higher education; and (4) ensure that their schools develop comprehensive,[...]

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Latest Action: 07/08/2008 - Committee on Appropriations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Harkin. With written report No. 110-410.

Bill Text
An original bill making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. 7/8/2008--Reported to Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009 - Title I: Department of Labor - Department of Labor Appropriations Act, 2009 - Makes appropriations for FY2009 to the Department of Labor for: (1) the Employment and Training Administration, including training and employment services; (2) community service employment for older Americans; (3) federal unemployment benefits and allowances; (4) state unemployment insurance and employment service operations; (5) advances to [...]

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Latest Action: 06/30/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
A bill to temporarily extend the programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965.

6/30/2008--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Amends the Higher Education Extension Act of 2005 to extend the programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965 through July 31, 2008.

Latest Action: 06/05/2008 - Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
Expressing the sense of Congress that increasing American capabilities in science, mathematics, and technology education should be a national priority.

6/4/2008--Passed House without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Declares that it is the sense of Congress that: (1) this nation should dedicate its resources to the development of a broad pool of citizens who are functionally literate in science, mathematics, and technology; (2) a national science education policy in the coming decade should address specified crucial need areas; and (3) this national challenge can be met through strong leadership from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, other federal, state, and local governments, and with long-term commitments from the civic, business, and engineering communities.