No official summary available for this bill.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6498 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6498
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to increase transparency in
college tuition for consumers, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 9, 2025
Mr. Guthrie (for himself, Mr. Onder, and Mrs. Trahan) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and
Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to increase transparency in
college tuition for consumers, and for other purposes.
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 ``Student Financial Clarity Act of
2025''.
SEC. 2. TRANSPARENCY IN COLLEGE TUITION FOR CONSUMERS.
(a) Amendment.--Section 132 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1015a) is amended--
(1) by striking subsections (a) through (j) and inserting
the following:
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) College scorecard website.--The term `College
Scorecard website' means the College Scorecard website required
under subsection (b) and includes any successor website.
``(2) Cost of attendance.--The term `cost of attendance'
has the meaning given such term in section 472(a).
``(3) Required costs.--The term `required costs' means the
sum of all the items listed in section 472(a) that are required
by an institution of higher education for a program of study
for the program length of a program of study, for the time to
credential for a student, or for an award year of a program of
study, as applicable, including--
``(A) the tuition and fees normally assessed a
student enrolled in such program of study carrying the
same academic workload, as determined by the
institution; and
``(B) in a case in which the institution requires a
student to reside in institutionally owned or operated
housing or to use institutionally owned or operated
food services, the applicable standard allowance for
such housing or food services determined by the
institution in accordance with section 472(a)(5).
``(4) Amount of grant and scholarship aid.--The term
`amount of grant and scholarship aid' means the sum of all of
the grant and scholarship aid that is available to the student
for the program length of a program of study, for the time to
credential for a student, or for an award year of a program of
study, as applicable, that a student does not have to repay,
including need-based, merit-based, or athletic-based, or
another type of grant and scholarship aid, that is--
``(A) offered under title IV;
``(B) offered through other Federal programs;
``(C) offered by the institution;
``(D) offered by a State; or
``(E) offered by any other source.
``(5) Net price required for completion.--
``(A) Net price determinations.--
``(i) Total net price required for
completion.--The term `total net price required
for completion' means, with respect to a
student in a program of study--
``(I) the required costs charged to
such student for the program of study
for the time to credential; minus
``(II) the amount of grant and
scholarship aid that is available to
the student for such program for the
time to credential.
``(ii) Annual net price required for
completion.--The term `annual net price
required for completion' means, with respect to
a student in a program of study--
``(I) the required costs charged to
such student for the program of study
for an award year; minus
``(II) the amount of grant and
scholarship aid that is available to
the student for such program for such
award year.
``(6) Net price of attendance.--
``(A) Total net price of attendance.--The term
`total net price of attendance' means, with respect to
a student in a program of study, the sum of--
``(i) the total net price required for
completion; and
``(ii) the sum, for the time to credential,
of all the costs listed in section 472(a) that
are not required costs.
``(B) Annual net price of attendance.--The term
`annual net price of attendance' means, with respect to
a student in a program of study, the net price of
attendance for a specific year of the program of study,
determined by disaggregating the total net price of
attendance for the student by each year of the
student's time to credential.
``(7) Program length.--The term `program length' means the
minimum amount of time in weeks, months, or years that is
specified in the catalog, marketing materials, or other
official publications of an institution of higher education for
a full-time student to complete the requirements to obtain the
degree or credential awarded for a specific program of study.
``(8) Time to credential.--The term `time to credential'
means, with respect to a student, the actual amount of time in
weeks, months, or years it takes the student to complete the
requirements to obtain the degree or credential awarded for a
specific program of study.
``(b) Consumer Information.--
``(1) Availability of information for title iv institutions
and programs.--Not later than 18 months after the effective
date of this subsection, the Secretary shall, subject to
applicable Federal privacy statutes, make publicly available on
the College Scorecard website the following information with
respect to students of the institution who have received
Federal financial assistance described in paragraph (2)(I), for
the most recent award year for which such information is
available:
``(A) Institutions.--With respect to each
institution of higher education that participates in a
program under title IV, the following:
``(i) A link to the website of the
institution.
``(ii) A link to the Universal Net Price
calculator described in subsection (c) and, if
applicable, a link to any net price calculator
developed by the institution in accordance with
paragraph (7) of such subsection.
``(iii) Information on the type of
institution, including predominant and highest
credential awarded, research intensity, and
programs of study offered.
``(iv) In the case of an institution that
requires scores for a college entrance
examination (such as the SAT or ACT) to be
submitted, the subject matter scores and
combined scores on such examinations, as
applicable.
``(v) The acceptance rate, determined by
calculating the percentage of individuals who
submitted a completed application to the
institution who were accepted for enrollment.
``(vi) The institution's cohort default
rate, as defined under section 435(m).
``(vii) A link to the website of the
institution containing the information on
campus safety required to be collected under
section 485(i).
``(B) Institutions and programs of study.--With
respect to each such institution and to each program of
study at each such institution, the following:
``(i) The geographic location.
``(ii) Information on student enrollment,
including the number and percentage of students
enrolled full-time, less than full-time, and
enrolled in distance education.
``(iii) Information on the number of
degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduate
students who have transferred from another
institution.
``(iv) Information on student progression
and completion, including time to credential
and rates of withdrawal, retention, transfer,
or completion.
``(v) Information on college costs and
financial aid, including--
``(I) the average, median, minimum,
and maximum values of--
``(aa) the required costs
for such award year;
``(bb) the cost of
attendance for such award year;
``(cc) the amount of grant
and scholarship aid received by
students for such award year;
``(dd) the information
described in item (cc) and
subclause (II)(cc),
disaggregated--
``(AA) by the type
of source described in
clauses (i) through (v)
of subsection
(a)(5)(C); and
``(BB) by whether
such aid is need-based,
merit-based, or
athletic-based, or is
another type of aid;
and
``(II) with respect to students who
completed a credential during the most
recent award year, the average, median,
minimum, and maximum values of--
``(aa) the program length;
``(bb) the time to
credential;
``(cc) the amount of grant
and scholarship aid received
for the time to credential;
``(dd) the total net price
required for completion
(determined for the institution
based on the total net price
required for completion for all
programs of study); and
``(ee) the total net price
required for attendance
(determined for the institution
based on the total net price
required for attendance for all
programs of study);
``(III) the number and percentage
of students receiving any amount of
grant and scholarship aid for such
award year, and with respect to
students who completed a credential
during the most recent award year, the
number and percentage of such students
receiving any amount of grant and
scholarship aid for the time to
credential;
``(IV) the average annual
percentage change and average annual
dollar change in the required costs for
each of the three most recent academic
years for which data are available; and
``(V) the average annual percentage
change and average annual dollar change
in the total and annual net price
required for completion for each of the
three most recent academic years for
which data are available.
``(vi) Information on student debt and
repayment, including--
``(I) the average, median, minimum,
and maximum amounts borrowed by
students under title IV;
``(II) information with respect to
repayment of loans made under title IV,
including borrower-based repayment
rates, dollar-based repayment rates,
and time spent in repayment; and
``(III) the number and percentage
of students who--
``(aa) are borrowers of a
loan made under title IV;
``(bb) are not borrowers of
a loan made under title IV, but
have at least one parent who is
a borrower of a loan made under
title IV on behalf of the
student; and
``(cc) are borrowers of a
loan made under title IV, and
have at least one parent who is
a borrower of a loan made under
title IV on behalf of the
student.
``(vii) Information on the earnings of
students, including the average, median,
minimum, and maximum values of--
``(I) with respect to students who
complete a program of study in the most
recent award year for which data are
available--
``(aa) the annual earnings
of such students; and
``(bb) the value-added
earnings (as defined in section
481(b)(3)(A)(iv)) of such
students; and
``(II) the annual earnings of
students who were enrolled in the
institution during the most recent
award year for which data are available
in a program of study, and who at the
time the information is reported--
``(aa) have not completed
such program of study; and
``(bb) are not enrolled at
the institution in any program
of study.
``(C) Programs of study.--With respect to each
program of study at each such institution, the
credential awarded for completion of the program of
study.
``(2) Disaggregated information.--The Secretary shall,
subject to applicable Federal privacy statutes, ensure the
information described in paragraph (1) is disaggregated, as
applicable, by the following student characteristics:
``(A) Financial circumstances including--
``(i) household income categories, as
determined by students' and families' adjusted
gross income; and
``(ii) student aid index categories, as
determined by the Secretary.
``(B) Sex.
``(C) Race and ethnicity.
``(D) Classification as a student with a
disability.
``(E) Enrollment status, including part-time or
full-time enrollment, and status as a distance
education student.
``(F) Status as a first year, second year, third
year, or subsequent year student, based on the number
of years a student has been enrolled at the institution
or in the program of study, as applicable.
``(G) Status as an in-district, in-State, or out-
of-State student.
``(H) Status as an international student.
``(I) The type of Federal financial assistance
received, including--
``(i) a Pell Grant;
``(ii) a loan made under title IV; and
``(iii) assistance described in section
131(f)(4) administered, sponsored, or supported
by the Department of Defense or the Department
of Veterans Affairs.
``(J) Status as a participant in a program
described in section 116(b)(3)(A)(ii) of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C.
3141(b)(3)(A)(ii)).
``(3) Access and comparisons.--The Secretary shall ensure
that the College Scorecard website--
``(A) includes a method for users to easily compare
institutions and programs, including in a manner that
allows for such comparison based on--
``(i) the institutional and program
information described in paragraph (1); and
``(ii) the student characteristics
described in paragraph (2); and
``(B) provides access to information in an
electronic and downloadable format.
``(4) Annual updates; adjustments.--
``(A) Annual data.--The Secretary shall annually
update the data on the College Scorecard website
required under this subsection.
``(B) Adjustments.--The Secretary may adjust the
data required under subclauses (III) and (IV) of
paragraph (1)(B)(v) using the Consumer Price Index if
the Secretary determines such adjustment is necessary.
``(5) Data collection.--The Commissioner for Education
Statistics shall continue to update and improve the Integrated
Postsecondary Education Data System (referred to in this
section as `IPEDS'), including the reporting of information by
institutions and the timeliness of the data collected.
``(c) Universal Net Price Calculator.--
``(1) Establishment.--Not later than 18 months after the
effective date of this subsection, the Secretary shall
establish, on a dedicated website of the Department, a
Universal Net Price Calculator that--
``(A) allows an individual to select one or more
institutions of higher education and one or more
programs of study offered by each selected institution
for which estimates shall be calculated;
``(B) makes available to the individual, with
respect to each selected institution and each selected
program of study, the individual's--
``(i) annual estimated net price required
for completion for each year of expected
enrollment based on the program length of a
program of study, based on the average annual
net price required for completion for similarly
situated students (based on the individual's
information described in subparagraph (C)(iv))
for such institution or program for the most
recent award year, adjusted in accordance with
clauses (i) through (iii) of subparagraph (C);
``(ii) total estimated net price required
for completion equal to the sum of the annual
estimated net price required for completion for
each year described in clause (i);
``(iii) annual estimated net price of
attendance for each year of expected enrollment
based on the program length of a program of
study, based on the average annual net price of
attendance for similarly situated students
(based on the individual's information
described in subparagraph (C)(iv)) for such
institution or program for the most recent
award year, adjusted in accordance with clauses
(i) through (iii) of subparagraph (C); and
``(iv) total estimated net price of
attendance equal to the sum of the annual
estimated net price of attendance for each year
described in clause (iii); and
``(C) with respect to calculating net price
estimates as required by subparagraph (B)--
``(i) determines an estimated annual
percentage change for each year for which a net
price calculation is made, based on the annual
percentage change in an institution's or
program's required costs and other costs under
section 472(a), as applicable, for the most
recent three-year period for which such data
are reported;
``(ii) provides the individual with the
option to replace the estimated annual
percentage change described in clause (i) with
an alternative annual percentage change
specified by the individual;
``(iii) in the case of an institution that
offers a multi-year tuition or net price
guarantee program, allow the individual to have
net price estimates calculated based on the
provisions of such guarantee program; and
``(iv) uses the individual's information,
based on--
``(I) the single set of questions
developed by the Secretary in
accordance with paragraph (5);
``(II) the student-level data
elements reported by institutions in
accordance with section 668.408 of
title 34, Code of Federal Regulations
(or successor regulations);
``(III) in the case of an
individual who submits a Free
Application for Federal Student Aid
described in section 483, the contents
of such application; and
``(IV) any additional information
provided by the individual with respect
to the individual's grant and
scholarship aid;
``(D) includes a method for users to easily compare
institutions and programs; and
``(E) provides access to information in an
electronic and downloadable format.
``(5) Development of input questions.--The Secretary shall
develop a single set of questions for purposes of capturing the
information specified in subsection (b)(2).
``(6) Updates.--
``(A) Data.--The Secretary shall update the data on
the Universal Net Price Calculator Website, as required
under this subsection, not less than annually.
``(B) Technology and format.--The Secretary shall
regularly assess the format and technology of the
Universal Net Price Calculator website and make any
changes or updates that the Secretary considers
appropriate.
``(7) Integration with other federal financial aid
resources.--In accordance with subsection (d)(5) of section
483, the Secretary shall ensure that a website link or other
means of accessing the Universal Net Price Calculator is
included on the FAFSA website (or similar successor website).
``(8) Interagency coordination.--The Secretary, in
consultation with each appropriate head of a department or
agency of the Federal Government, shall ensure, to the greatest
extent practicable, that any information related to higher
education that is published by such department or agency is
consistent with the information published on the Universal Net
Price Calculator website.
``(9) Consumer testing.--In developing and maintaining the
College Scorecard website and the Universal Net Price
Calculator website, the Secretary, in consultation with each
appropriate head of each appropriate department and agency of
the Federal Government shall--
``(A) not later than 6 months after the date of the
effective date of this subsection, and not less than
once every 4 years thereafter, conduct consumer testing
with appropriate persons, including current and
prospective college students, family members of such
students, institutions of higher education, and
experts, to--
``(i) improve the usefulness and relevance
of the College Scorecard website, with respect
to the presentation of the consumer information
collected subsection (b); and
``(ii) ensure that the Universal Net Price
Calculator website is usable and easily
understandable and provides useful and relevant
information to students and families; and
``(B) display prominently on such websites in
simple, understandable, and unbiased terms for the most
recent academic year for which satisfactory data is
available, the categories of information described in
paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b) and paragraph
(1)(B) of this subsection that were determined to be
useful and relevant to students and families based on
the consumer testing described in subparagraph (A).
``(10) Use of net price calculator by institutions.--Not
later than two years after the date on which the Secretary
makes the calculator developed under paragraph (1) available to
institutions of higher education, each institution of higher
education that receives Federal funds under title IV shall make
publicly available on the institution's website a net price
calculator to provide to current and prospective students,
families, and other consumers a student's individual net price
estimates at such institution of higher education. Such
calculator may be a net price calculator developed--
``(A) by the Department pursuant to paragraph (1);
or
``(B) by the institution of higher education, if
the institution's calculator includes, at a minimum,
the same data elements included in the calculator
developed under paragraph (1).
``(11) Notice.--A net price estimate calculated for an
individual using the Universal Net Price Calculator under this
subsection shall be accompanied by a clear and conspicuous
notice--
``(A) stating that the estimate--
``(i) does not represent a final
determination, or actual award, of financial
assistance;
``(ii) shall not be binding on the
Secretary, an institution of higher education,
or a State; and
``(iii) may change;
``(B) stating that an individual must complete the
Free Application for Federal Student Aid described in
section 483 in order to be eligible for, and receive,
an actual financial aid award that includes Federal
grant, loan, or work-study assistance under title IV;
and
``(C) including a link to the website of the
Department that allows individuals to access the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid described in
section 483.''; and
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 132 of the Higher Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1015a) is further amended by redesignating
subsections (k) and (l) as subsections (d) and (e), respectively.
SEC. 3. OTHER AMENDMENTS.
(a) Cost of Attendance of a Program of Study.--
(1) Determination of cost of attendance of a program of
study.--
(A) In general.--Section 472(a) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087ll(a)) is
amended--
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking
``carrying the same academic workload'' and
inserting ``enrolled in the same program of
study and carrying the same academic
workload'';
(ii) in paragraph (2), by striking ``same
course of study'' and inserting ``same program
of study''; and
(iii) in paragraph (14), by striking
``program'' and inserting ``program of study''.
(2) Disclosure.--Section 472(c) of the Higher Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087ll(c)) is amended--
(A) by inserting ``of each program of study at the
institution'' after ``cost of attendance''; and
(B) by striking ``of the institution'' and
inserting ``of such programs of study at the
institution''.
(b) Program of Study Defined.--Section 103 of the Higher Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1003) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (15) through (24) as
paragraphs (16) through (25), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraphs (14) the following new
paragraph:
``(14) Program of study defined.--
``(A) In general.--The term `program of study'--
``(i) means an eligible program at an
institution of higher education that is
classified by a combination of--
``(I) one or more CIP codes; and
``(II) one credential level,
determined by the credential awarded
upon completion of the program; and
``(ii) does not include a program of study
abroad.
``(B) CIP code.--The term `CIP code' means the six-
digit taxonomic identification code assigned by an
institution of higher education to a specific program
of study at the institution, determined by the
institution of higher education in accordance with the
Classification of Instructional Programs published by
the National Center for Education Statistics.
``(C) Credential level.--
``(i) In general.--The term `credential
level' means the level of the degree or other
credential awarded by an institution of higher
education to students who complete a program of
study of the institution. Each degree or other
credential awarded by an institution shall be
categorized by the institution as either
undergraduate credential level or graduate
credential level.
``(ii) Undergraduate credential.--When used
with respect to a credential or credential
level, the term `undergraduate credential'
includes credentials such as an undergraduate
certificate, an associate degree, a bachelor's
degree, and a post-baccalaureate certificate
(including the coursework specified in
paragraphs (3)(B) and (4)(B) of section
484(b)).
``(iii) Graduate credential.--When used
with respect to a credential or credential
level, the term `graduate credential' includes
credentials such as a master's degree, a
doctoral degree, a professional degree (as
defined under section 668.2 of title 34, Code
of Federal Regulations), and a postgraduate
certificate.''.
(c) Elimination of Early Estimator Tool.--Paragraph (4) of section
485E(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092f(b)) is
repealed.
(d) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Higher education act of 1965.--The Higher Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.), as amended by this Act, is
further amended by striking ``College Navigator'' each place it
appears and inserting ``College Scorecard''.
(2) Other references.--Any reference in any law (other than
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.)),
regulation, document, record, or other paper of the United
States to the College Navigator website shall be considered to
be a reference to the College Scorecard website.
SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on
July 1, 2027, and shall apply with respect to award year 2027-2028 and
each subsequent award year, as determined under the Higher Education
Act of 1965.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 27 - 6.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-461.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-461.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 395.
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