Higher Education Affordability, Access, and Opportunity Act of 2005 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to carry out a student loan program for workforce development for high-growth occupations or industries.
Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for: (1) job skill training in high-growth occupations or industries, to partnerships of community colleges and workforce investment boards; and (2) training and job skills for small business owners or operators, to partnerships of institutions of higher education (IHEs) and entities that help small business development.
Prohibits, under the student loan program, IHEs and accrediting agencies and associations from restricting transfer of credits in specified ways.
Requires studies and dissemination of comparative data on college costs and related matters.
Revises teacher quality enhancement grants with respect to high-need local educational agencies and eligible partnerships.
Allows states to submit applications, under the leveraging educational assistance partnership program, with philanthropic organizations and public or private IHEs.
[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1068 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1068
To provide for higher education affordability, access, and opportunity.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 18, 2005
Mrs. Dole (for herself and Mr. Baucus) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for higher education affordability, access, and opportunity.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Higher Education Affordability,
Access, and Opportunity Act of 2005''.
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:
``(b) Comparative Data.--
``(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.
``(2) Information.--The information referred to in
paragraph (1) is the following:
``(A) Tuition and fees for a full-time
undergraduate student.
``(B) Cost of attendance for a full-time
undergraduate student.
``(C) The average annual cost of attendance for a
full-time undergraduate student for the 10 preceding
academic years, or if data are not available for the 10
preceding academic years, data for as many of the 10
preceding academic years as is available.
``(D) The percentage of full-time undergraduate
students receiving financial assistance, including--
``(i) Federal grants;
``(ii) State and local grants;
``(iii) institutional grants; and
``(iv) loans to students.
``(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.
``(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.
``(G) A ranking of the dollar and percentage
increases in tuition for all institutions of higher
education for which data are available, disaggregated
by quartile.
``(3) Standard definitions.--In carrying out this section,
the Secretary shall use the standard definitions developed
under subsection (a)(3).''.
(b) Study and Annual Report.--Section 131(c) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1015(c)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
inserting ``and costs'' after ``expenditures'';
(B) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``and'' after
the semicolon;
(C) in subparagraph (G), by striking the period and
inserting ``; and''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(H) the information and costs described in
subparagraphs (D) through (G) of paragraph (2).'';
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' after
the semicolon;
(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period and
inserting a semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) national trends in the cost of attending an
institution of higher education;
``(E) the mean cost of attending an institution of
higher education, disaggregated by type of institution
of higher education;
``(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; and
``(G) the assistance provided to institutions of
higher education by each State, which information the
Secretary shall make available to the public.''; and
(3) in paragraph (3)--
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking
``Final'' and inserting ``Annual'';
(B) by striking ``a report'' and inserting ``an
annual report'';
(C) by inserting ``and the evaluation required by
paragraph (2)'' after ``paragraph (1)''; and
(D) by striking ``not later than September 30,
2002''.
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--
(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'';
(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'';
(3) in subparagraph (B) (as so amended), by striking ``or''
after the semicolon;
(4) in subparagraph (C) (as so amended), by striking the
period and inserting ``; or''; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(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.''.
(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,''.
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--
(1) by redesignating part F as part G; and
(2) by inserting after part E the following:
``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.
``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Eligible partnership.--The term `eligible
partnership' means a partnership--
``(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); or
``(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).
``(2) Nontraditional student.--The term `nontraditional
student' means a student who--
``(A) is independent, as defined in section 480(d);
``(B) attends an institution of higher education--
``(i) on less than a full-time basis;
``(ii) via evening, weekend, modular, or
compressed courses; or
``(iii) via distance learning methods; or
``(C) has delayed enrollment at an institution of
higher education.
``(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.
``(c) Application.--
``(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.
``(2) Contents.--Each application submitted under paragraph
(1) shall include a description of--
``(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;
``(B) local high-growth occupations or industries;
and
``(C) the need for qualified workers to meet the
local demand of high-growth occupations or industries.
``(d) Award Basis.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Secretary shall--
``(1) ensure an equitable distribution of grant funds under
this section among urban and rural areas of the United States;
and
``(2) take into consideration the capability of the
institution of higher education--
``(A) to offer relevant, high quality instruction
and job skill training for students entering a high-
growth occupation or industry;
``(B) to involve the local business community and
to place graduates in the community in employment in
high-growth occupations or industries;
``(C) to assist students in obtaining loans under
section 428L, if appropriate, or other forms of student
financial assistance;
``(D) to serve nontraditional or low-income
students, or adult or displaced workers; and
``(E) to serve students from rural or remote
communities.
``(e) Use of Funds.--Grant funds provided under this section may be
used--
``(1) to expand or create academic programs or programs of
training that provide relevant job skill training for high-
growth occupations or industries;
``(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;
``(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;
``(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;
``(5) to build partnerships with local businesses in high-
growth occupations or industries; and
``(6) for other uses that the Secretary determines to be
consistent with the intent of this section.
``(f) Requirements.--
``(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.
``(2) Duration.--The Secretary shall award grants under
this section for a 1-year period.
``(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.
``(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).
``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.
``(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--
``(1) a community development financial institution;
``(2) a small business development center; or
``(3) a microenterprise lending institution.
``(c) Award Basis.--The Secretary shall award grants under this
section on the basis of--
``(1) the ability of an eligible partnership to facilitate
small business development; and
``(2)(A) the ability of an eligible partnership to serve a
rural community;
``(B) the ability of an eligible partnership to serve a
low-income population; or
``(C) other criteria developed by the Secretary in
consultation with the Administrator of the Small Business
Administration.
``(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.
``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 2006 and such sums as may be necessary for
each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years.''.
SEC. 5. LEAP APPLICATIONS.
Section 415C of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070c-
2) is amended--
(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.''; and
(2) in subsection (b)(10), by inserting ``, from
philanthropic, institutional, or private funds, or from a
combination of such sources'' before the period.
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:
``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.
``(b) Definitions.--
``(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.
``(2) Eligible student.--The term `eligible student' means
an undergraduate student who--
``(A) is otherwise eligible for a loan under this
part or part D;
``(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);
``(C) is age 18 or older; and
``(D) has an expected family contribution
(calculated under part F) equal to or less than zero.
``(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.
``(c) Limits on Loan Amounts.--
``(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 $4,625 for each such year,
notwithstanding sections 425 and 428.
``(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).
``(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.
``(d) Identification of High-Growth Occupations or Industries.--
``(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).
``(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.
``(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--
``(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;
and
``(B) meets the qualifications of subparagraphs
(A), (C), and (D) of subsection (b)(2).
``(e) Funds for Administration.--
``(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).
``(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.
``(3) Uses.--The funds made available under paragraph (1)
may be used for the following purposes:
``(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.
``(B) Annual report.--To provide an annual report
to the Secretary regarding the number of eligible
students receiving loans made under this section who--
``(i) remain in their academic program or
program of training;
``(ii) graduate from their academic program
or program of training;
``(iii) transfer to another institution of
higher education; or
``(iv) are placed in unsubsidized
employment not later than 12 months after
graduation.
``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary
for fiscal year 2006 and each of the 4 succeeding fiscal years.''.
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:
``(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).''.
(b) Accrediting Agency and Association Requirements.--Section
496(a) (20 U.S.C. 1099b(a)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (7);
(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (8) and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(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).''.
(c) Accrediting Agency Standards.--Section 496(a)(5) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1099b(a)(5)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (I);
(2) by inserting ``and'' after the semicolon at the end of
subparagraph (J); and
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (J) the following new
subparagraph:
``(K) policies for the transfer of credit and the
notification of the public of such policies;''.
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
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