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201 records in US in 2017
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 2017
Title IX Protection Act This bill amends the Department of Education Organization Act to require recipients of federal financial assistance to comply with specified procedural requirements when responding to sexual harassment and sexual violence to prevent and effectively respond to sexual discrimination as required by title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 2017
Accurate Income Measure Act of 2017 or the AIM Act This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to revise gainful employment regulations that require career training programs to meet minimum thresholds with respect to the debt-to-income rates of their graduates. Specifically, the bill requires ED to ensure that those regulations account for estimated underreporting of earned income by graduates of career training programs in cosmetology and related personal grooming arts, holistic health, or massage therapy. Cosmetology, holistic health, and massage therapy career training programs may appeal a zone or failing debt-to-earning rate by submitting alternative earnings data based on the most current Bureau of Labor Statistics earnings data for the Standard Occupational Classification code. Until the date on which ED issues adjustments to its gainful employment regulations, the bill: (1) exempts those programs from the regulations, (2) bans ED from publishing final debt-to-earnings rates for those programs, (3) exempts institutions of higher education that provide those programs from a requirement to report the rates on consumer disclosures relating to gainful employment, and (4) prohibits ED from making those programs ineligible for federal financial aid funds due to the application of the regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2017
Encourages Congress to develop and implement policies supporting and improving the education, training, professional development, research, and lives of physician assistants (PAs), and supports the designation of National PA Week to raise awareness, visibility, and appreciation for the PA profession.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2017
Developing Tomorrow's Engineering and Technical Workforce Act This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish a competitive grant program for state and local educational agencies to implement engineering education programs in elementary and secondary schools. An engineering education program must: (1) teach students the overall analytical and experimental approaches used in engineering, and (2) increase participation of underrepresented student groups in the engineering pipeline.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2017
Expresses support for the designation of World Space Week and Earth Science Week. Recognizes the importance of: (1) international cooperation in space missions and outreach and education in advancing our knowledge and discovery of new worlds; and (2) education and public outreach efforts to ensure that the U.S. public gains a better understanding of, and appreciation for, the impact of the earth sciences on their daily lives.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2017
Student Loan Refinancing and Recalculation Act This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Department of Education to establish a program to refinance the outstanding principal, interest, and late charges on Federal Direct Loans (DLs) and Federal Family Education Loans (FFELs) in order to give a borrower a fixed interest rate equal to the 10-year Treasury note rate plus one percentage point. In addition, the bill allows borrowers in medical or dental internship or residency programs to defer student loan payments until the completion of their programs.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2017
Student Loan Relief Act of 201 7 This bill authorizes the Department of the Treasury to establish a temporary three-year program to facilitate federal student loan refinancing into the private market, at no cost to the federal government, to ensure payment of lower interest rates on student loans. Private lenders under such refinancing program shall be eligible to receive a federal government guarantee of 95% of loans. Treasury shall, in consultation with the Department of Education, begin a national awareness campaign to alert student loan borrowers about such refinancing program with a disclosure that a private loan that results from such refinancing is not eligible for income driven repayment or loan forgivingness. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an exclusion from gross income for the payment of an employer, either to an employee or a lender, of any indebtedness of an employee under a qualified education refinance loan or any interest relating to such a loan. The term "qualified education refinance loan" means any indebtedness used solely to refinance a qualified education loan with respect to which the lender offers the borrower protection in the event of unemployment or financial hardship.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2017
Honors the accomplishments of the nine historically black colleges and universities that celebrated their 150th anniversary during the week of September 24, 2017.
United States · United States Senate · 5 October 2017
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 2017
Keep America's Refuges Operational Act This bill amends the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 to reauthorize through FY2022: (1) the volunteer services, community partnerships, and national wildlife refuge education programs of the National Wildlife Refuge System; and (2) provisions authorizing the Department of the Interior to accept and use gifts, devises, or bequests of real and personal property for the benefit of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the performance of its activities and services. The bill eliminates the prohibition on the use for the operation or administration of any nonfederal entity of any federal funds that are used for a project or program for a national wildlife refuge or a complex of geographically related refuges under a cooperative agreement between Interior and a partner organization, academic institution, state or local government agency, or other person under the community partnerships program.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 2017
Supports the goals and ideals of Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day. (Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic neurological condition that causes episodes of extreme pain in the face.) Recognizes and reaffirms the commitment of the United States to ending trigeminal neuralgia by promoting awareness and education programs, supporting research, and expanding access to medical treatment. Expresses gratitude to the family members and friends of individuals living with trigeminal neuralgia. Salutes the health care professionals and medical researchers who provide assistance to individuals affected by trigeminal neuralgia and continue to work to find ways to end trigeminal neuralgia.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 2017
Affordable Housing for Educational Achievement Demonstration Act or the AHEAD Act This bill requires the Department of Education and the Department of Housing and Community Development to jointly award competitive grants to specified partnerships for demonstration projects that (1) improve academic achievement and life outcomes for children from low-income families; and (2) either increase socioeconomic or racial diversity in one or more local educational agencies or create housing and educational stability for homeless children and youths, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 2017
Keep America's Refuges Operational Act This bill amends the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 to reauthorize through FY2022: (1) the volunteer services, community partnerships, and national wildlife refuge education programs of the National Wildlife Refuge System; and (2) provisions authorizing the Department of the Interior to accept and use gifts, devises, or bequests of real and personal property for the benefit of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the performance of its activities and services. The bill eliminates the prohibition on the use for the operation or administration of any nonfederal entity of any federal funds that are used for a project or program for a national wildlife refuge or a complex of geographically related refuges under a cooperative agreement between Interior and a partner organization, academic institution, state or local government agency, or other person under the community partnerships program.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 2017
Honors the life and achievements of Dr. Samuel DuBois Cook.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 2017
Adjunct Faculty Loan Fairness Act of 2015 This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow part-time teachers to participate in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan forgiveness program for public service employees, if they: (1) teach at least one course at an institution of higher education, a postsecondary vocational institution, or a Tribal College or University; and (2) do not have another full-time job.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 2017
Affirms U.S. leadership and commitment to improving access to quality education for the poorest and most marginalized children and youth worldwide. Supports the mission and goals of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) to mobilize global and national efforts to contribute to the achievement of equitable, quality education and learning. Recognizes that U.S. investments in bilateral basic education are complemented by GPE's education systems approach and convening authority. Encourages increased commitment and investment by the U.S. government, international donors, private foundations, and private sector donors through the GPE to the global effort to ensure that children and youth are in school.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2017
Veterans Education Disaster Assistance Act This bill increases Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post-9/11 educational assistance for veterans pursuing a course of education at an institute of higher education that is closed for at least four weeks because of natural disasters and who pursue such course, or an alternative course, solely by distance learning. The duration of monthly stipends is extended from four months to the shorter of four months or the period necessary to complete the quarter, semester, term, or academic period during the institute's closure. Such stipend is increased from 50% to the full amount that a veteran would be entitled to if pursuing such course of at an institution of higher education. An additional lump sum is made available for books and other educational costs made necessary by such distance learning.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2017
This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to repeal programs authorized under title VIII, including programs concerning: education services for low-income students (e.g., Project GRAD); education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics; job skill training, such as training for nontraditional students and training for writers who provide closed-captioned programming; registered nursing programs and schools of veterinary medicine; support and training for teachers (e.g., Teach for America Inc.); support for women and minorities (e.g., the Patsy T. Mink Fellowship program, funding for master's degree programs at historically black colleges and universities and predominantly black institutions, and funding for postbaccalaureate programs at Hispanic-serving institutions); student safety and campus emergency management; student work experiences; Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success; and education and services for young adults who have been released from juvenile detention centers or secure juvenile justice residential facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2017
Handgun Trigger Safety Act of 2017 This bill authorizes the National Institute of Justice to make grants to states or local governments, nonprofit or for-profit organizations, and institutions of higher education to develop technology for personalized handguns (i.e., technology that enables only an authorized user to fire a handgun). The bill prohibits, subject to exceptions: (1) the manufacture of a handgun inside the United States that is not a personalized handgun, and (2) the distribution in commerce of a handgun that is not a personalized handgun or retrofitted personalized handgun. It authorizes the Consumer Product Safety Commission and states to enforce violations, which are treated as violations under the Consumer Product Safety Act. A manufacturer must, at an owner's request, retrofit a U.S.-manufactured handgun that is not a personalized handgun or retrofitted personalized handgun. The Department of Justice (DOJ) may use amounts from the DOJ Assets Forfeiture Fund to reimburse a manufacturer for the costs of retrofitting. Finally, the bill amends the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act to modify the definition of "qualified product." Current law limits civil actions against a licensed manufacturer, dealer, or seller of a qualified product for injuries resulting from the criminal or unlawful misuse of the product. This bill specifies that a newly manufactured handgun is not a qualified product unless is it a personalized handgun or retrofitted personalized handgun.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2017
Designates October 2017 as National Dyslexia Awareness Month, and calls on Congress, schools, and educational agencies to recognize that dyslexia has significant educational implications that must be addressed.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2017
Designates the week beginning October 15, 2017, as National Character Counts Week.
United States · United States Senate · 3 October 2017
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 2017
Community Health And Medical Professionals Improve Our Nation Act of 2017 or the CHAMPION Act This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to extend funding through FY2019 for community health centers and the National Health Service Corps. Health centers that serve medically underserved populations may receive supplemental grant funds to increase access to primary care services. The bill reduces appropriations for the Prevention and Public Health Fund through FY2025 and continues funding through FY2027. The bill amends the Public Health Service Act to extend funding through FY2019 for type I diabetes research and the prevention and treatment of diabetes in Native Americans. The bill increases and extends funding through FY2019 for teaching health centers that sponsor graduate medical residency training programs. The bill amends the Social Security Act to increase and extend funding through FY2019 for family-to-family health information centers, which assist families of children with disabilities or special health needs. The bill creates, and makes appropriations for, the Youth Empowerment Program. The program shall fund allotments to states or other entities to implement education exclusively about sexual risk avoidance (voluntarily refraining from sexual activity). Up to 20% of an allotment may be used to build evidence for sexual risk avoidance education. The bill extends funding for the grant program for personal responsibility education through FY2019.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 2017
Truth in Healthcare Marketing Act of 2017 This bill prohibits any person from making any statement or engaging in any act that misrepresents: (1) whether the person holds a state health care license; or (2) the person's education, training, degree, license, or clinical expertise. A person's advertisement for the person's health care services must disclose the license under which the person is authorized to provide those services. A violation of this Act is an unfair or deceptive act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act. The Federal Trade Commission must study and report to Congress on health care professionals' misrepresentations under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2017
Innovative Stormwater Infrastructure Act of 2017 This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide grants to eligible higher education institutions and research institutions to establish and maintain between three and five centers of excellence for innovative stormwater control infrastructure, which is any green stormwater management technique that: (1) uses natural systems or engineered systems that mimic natural processes to infiltrate, evapotranspire, or capture stormwater; and (2) preserves, enhances, or mimics natural hydrology to protect or restore water quality. One of the centers must be the national electronic clearinghouse center and operate a website and a public database on the infrastructure. In addition, the EPA must provide grants to state, tribal, or local governments or entities that manage stormwater, drinking water resources, or wastewater resources for innovative stormwater control infrastructure projects. The EPA must ensure that: (1) EPA's Office of Water, Office of Enforcement and Compliance, Office of Research and Development, and Office of Policy promote the use of the infrastructure in, and coordinate the integration of, permitting programs, planning efforts, research, technical assistance, and funding guidance; and (2) the Office of Water supports establishing innovative financing mechanisms in the implementation of the infrastructure. The EPA must: (1) direct each EPA regional office to promote and integrate the use of the infrastructure within the region, and (2) promote sharing information about the infrastructure approaches. The EPA must establish the innovative stormwater control infrastructure portfolio standard of voluntary, measurable goals to increase the percentage of annual water managed by entities that use the infrastructure.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2017
Smart Cities and Communities Act of 2017 This bill establishes programs for the implementation and use of smart technologies and systems in communities of various sizes. A “smart city or community” is one in which innovative, advanced, and trustworthy information, communication, and energy technologies are applied to: (1) improve the health and quality of life of residents; (2) increase efficiency of operations and services; (3) promote economic growth; and (4) improve safety, security, sustainability, resiliency, livability, and work life. The Department of Commerce shall establish a regional demonstration grant program focused on facilitating adoption, and allowing measurement and validation of performance, of advanced smart city or community technologies and systems. Commerce shall also convene a working group to develop tools for evaluating the cybersecurity of smart city or community technologies. The Department of Labor shall establish a pilot program to furnish competitive grants for technology-based job training and education programs that provide industry-recognized credentials. The bill requires strong federal encouragement and support for private sector-led standards development activities. The bill requires the establishment of a strategic international smart cities and communities trade program that includes trade missions to promote and assist smart-community activities, as by leveraging expertise in infrastructure development.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2017
Youth Empowerment Act of 2017 This bill creates, and makes appropriations in FY2018 and FY2019 for, the Youth Empowerment Program. The program shall fund allotments to states or other entities to implement education exclusively about sexual risk avoidance (voluntarily refraining from sexual activity). Up to 20% of an allotment may be used to build evidence for sexual risk avoidance education.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2017
Securing American Families by Educating and Training You (SAFETY) Through Nonviolence Act of 2017 This bill authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ) to award grants to eligible entities for the purpose of preventing or alleviating the effects of community violence by providing education, mentoring, and counseling related to principles of nonviolence in conflict resolution. "Eligible entities" include state or local government entities, educational institutions, nonprofit communities, and faith-based organizations. In awarding grants under the program, DOJ shall give priority to applicants that agree to use the grant funds in at least one community that can certify: (1) an increased or sustained level of violence or tension in the community; or (2) a lack of resources to adopt innovative, integrated, community-based violence prevention programs.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2017
Welcomes the visit of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to the U.S. Congress for her final address as President of Liberia. Commends Sirleaf's efforts to consolidate post-conflict peacebuilding and democratic gains, promote social and economic development, and foster ties with the international community and her work to advance international gender equality. Urges the government, people, and political parties of Liberia to: hold free, fair, credible, and peaceful elections in October 2017 and in the future; adhere to the objectives set out in the Ganta and Farmington River Declarations and promote and ensure peaceful conduct among candidates, their supporters, and Liberian citizens; ensure that there is robust civic education and electoral campaign outreach to politically marginalized groups; and raise awareness of, and express zero tolerance for, violence against women, gender discrimination, or social bias in the electoral process. Supports efforts by the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development to assist in election preparations. Calls on Liberian citizens to fully participate in the general elections and to pursue legal avenues to resolve any disputes over the results. Encourages Liberian civil society organizations to intensify civic and voter education. Condemns any external interference in the election. Encourages President Trump to appoint an Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. Calls upon the U.S. government and international partners to support successful elections and Liberia's anticipated historic democratic post-electoral transition of executive power.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2017
Smart Cities and Communities Act of 2017 This bill establishes programs for the implementation and use of smart technologies and systems in communities of various sizes. A “smart city or community” is one in which innovative, advanced, and trustworthy information, communication, and energy technologies are applied to: (1) improve the health and quality of life of residents; (2) increase efficiency of operations and services; (3) promote economic growth; and (4) improve safety, security, sustainability, resiliency, livability, and work life. The Department of Commerce shall establish a regional demonstration grant program focused on facilitating adoption, and allowing measurement and validation of performance, of advanced smart city or community technologies and systems. Commerce shall also convene a working group to develop tools for evaluating the cybersecurity of smart city or community technologies. The Department of Labor shall establish a pilot program to furnish competitive grants for technology-based job training and education programs that provide industry-recognized credentials. The bill requires strong federal encouragement and support for private sector-led standards development activities. The bill requires the establishment of a strategic international smart cities and communities trade program that includes trade missions to promote and assist smart-community activities, as by leveraging expertise in infrastructure development.
United States · United States Senate · 28 September 2017
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2017
American Vision for Safer Transportation through Advancement of Revolutionary Technologies Act or the AV START Act This bill: (1) establishes a framework for a federal role in ensuring the safety of highly automated vehicles (HAVs) by encouraging the testing and deployment of such vehicles; and (2) preempts states from enacting laws regarding the design, construction, or performance of HAVs or automated driving systems. A state may not issue a motor vehicle operator's license for the use of an HAV in a manner that discriminates based on disability. The bill: (1) sets forth conditions under which HAVs may be introduced into interstate commerce for purposes of testing, evaluation, or demonstration; and (2) applies certain safety exemptions to HAVs. Each manufacturer introducing a new HAV or automated driving system into interstate commerce shall provide a safety evaluation report. The Department of Transportation shall: (1) establish a technical committee to make recommendations for HAV and automated driving system safety, (2) establish a working group on education efforts for advanced driver assist and automated driving systems, and (3) research the traffic safety implications of HAVs. Each manufacturer of an HAV or automated driving system shall execute a written plan for identifying and reducing cybersecurity risks to the motor vehicle safety of such vehicles and systems.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2017
College Student Hunger Act of 2017 This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to expand the eligibility of students to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) to include individuals enrolled in an institution of higher education who: (1) have an expected family contribution of zero, as determined by the procedures established the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA); or (2) are determined to be independent based on specified criteria included in the HEA.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2017
Strengthening our Pediatric Workforce Act of 2017 This bill temporarily expands the Children's Hospitals Graduate Medical Education Payment Program by authorizing the Health Resources and Services Administration to award grants to support additional, specialty residency positions at hospitals that already have approved programs, and to support the establishment of such specialty programs.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2017
Cardiomyopathy Health Education, Awareness, Research, and Training in the Schools Act of 2017 or HEARTS Act of 2017 This bill establishes a series of programs and requirements relating to cardiomyopathy, including school awareness campaigns and research initiatives.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2017
Electronic Books Opening Opportunity for Knowledge Act of 2017 or the E-BOOK Act of 2017 This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Department of Education to award grants to up to 10 institutions of higher education for pilot programs that reduce the cost of attendance for undergraduate students by expanding student access to digital course materials. A preference is given to applications that demonstrate a commitment to serving disadvantaged students. Grant recipients must make digital course materials available to undergraduate students in at least two different academic departments.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2017
Innovation in Accreditation Act This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow the Department of Education to waive accreditation requirements if an accrediting agency or association demonstrates that a waiver is necessary to enable an institution of higher education or an accredited program to implement innovative practices.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2017
Designates the week of September 25-29, 2017, as National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2017
Congratulates the Northeastern Illinois University on the sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) of the university.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2017
Providing Opportunity with Energy Revenues in Counties Act or the POWER Counties Act This bill amends the Mineral Leasing Act to: (1) change from 40% to 20% the percentage of money received from sales, bonuses, royalties including interest charges collected under the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act of 1982 that is to be paid into the reclamation fund created by the Reclamation Act; and (2) require 20% of such money to be paid to the county within the boundaries of which the leased lands or deposits are or were located and may be used by such county for its schools and roads.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2017
Congratulates the Northeastern Illinois University on the sesquicentennial (150th anniversary) of the university.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2017
Recognizes the achievements and goals of institutions of higher education that are designated as Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions on the 10th anniversary of their establishment and encourages eligible institutions to obtain the designation.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2017
Startup Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to adjust to conditional permanent resident status up to 50,000 aliens who have earned a master's or doctorate degree in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field and permit such an alien to remain in the United States: (1) for up to one year after the expiration of the alien's student visa if the alien is searching for STEM field employment, and (2) indefinitely if the alien remains actively engaged in a STEM field. DHS may issue conditional immigrant visas to up to 75,000 qualified alien entrepreneurs. The per-country numerical limitation for employment-based visas is removed, and the limitation for family-based immigrants is increased. The Department of Commerce shall: (1) award grants to institutions of higher education to improve the commercialization and transfer of technology, (2) compile information on state laws that affect new business growth, and (3) compile information on new business formation. The Chinese Student Protection Act of 1992 is amended to eliminate the status adjustment reduction of annual Chinese immigrant visas. The Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 is amended to revise the regional innovation program. A federal or independent regulatory agency, before issuing a notice of rulemaking in connection with the issuance of a significant rule (generally, a rule that is likely to have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more), shall complete: (1) a review that analyzes the problem that the rule intends to address and its expected impact on state, local, and tribal governments and new businesses; and (2) a cost-benefit analysis.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2017
Today's American Dream Act This bill establishes new programs or amends existing programs related to workforce and community development. It directs: (1) the Department of Labor to award grants for job skills training for older individuals (older than age 45) and for workers in highly-skilled industries; and (2) the Department of Education to award scholarships to students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) and teaching certifications. The bill also amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) expand and extend the work opportunity tax credit, (2) allow tax credits for wages paid to interns by small business owners, and (3) extend and increase the new markets tax credit. With respect to community development, the bill limits the first-time homebuyer tax credit to residences purchased in economically distressed communities. It requires the Small Business Administration to make grants for commercial investment in economically underserved communities and direct loans to small business concerns. The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on efforts to expand access to broadband service. The bill establishes a Commission on Innovation in the Office of Management and Budget to study new and developing technologies. The Department of Health and Human Services must: (1) study characteristics of populations that do not have health insurance coverage, and (2) award grants for free dental health services in underserved communities.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2017
Recognizes the challenges in addressing health outcomes among people with sickle-cell trait and sickle-cell disease. (Sickle-cell disease refers to blood disorders resulting from abnormal red blood cells.) Encourages the medical community to make individuals aware of their sickle-cell trait status. Urges the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a public awareness campaign regarding the importance of individuals knowing their sickle-cell trait status and to expand access for screening and counseling. Commits to supporting research on sickle-cell trait and sickle-cell disease.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2017
Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria Education Relief Act of 2017 This bill provides educational relief in areas for which the President has declared a major disaster or an emergency as a result of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, or Maria or Tropical Storms Harvey, Irma, or Maria (affected areas). In the case of an institution of higher education (IHE) that is located in an affected area, the Department of Education (ED) must waive matching fund requirements under the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program (FSEOG) or the Federal Work-Study Program (FWS). In the case of an IHE that is not located in an affected area but has enrolled or accepted for enrollment students affected by the hurricanes or tropical storms, ED may waive the matching fund requirements under FSEOG or FWS. The waivers apply to funds made available for award years 2016-2017 and 2017-2018. If IHEs return FSEOG and FWS funds that were allocated for award year 2016-2017, then ED must reallocate the remaining funds to affected IHEs. The bill extends until September 30, 2018, the deadline for ED to obligate funds for FSEOG or FWS. In addition, the bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to require Project School Emergency Response to Violence grants to be distributed to private schools on an equitable basis.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2017
Affordable College Textbook Act This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to make grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) to support projects that expand the use of open textbooks in order to achieve savings for students while maintaining or improving instruction and student learning outcomes. An open textbook is an educational resource that either resides in the public domain or has been released under an intellectual license that permits its free use, reuse, modification, and sharing with others.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2017
Student Loan Fair Prepayment Act This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to set forth how a student loan borrower's prepayment amount on a Federal Family Education Loan, Federal Direct Loan, or Federal Perkins Loan must be applied.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2017
Eliminating the Hidden Student Loan Tax Act This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to repeal the authority of the Department of Education (ED) to charge an origination fee on future loans under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan program. Specifically, the bill repeals ED's authority to charge an origination fee on a direct loan first disbursed, or, in the case of a direct consolidation loan, for which an application is received, on or after July 1, 2017. (Origination fees are the fees lenders charge for processing new loan applications.)
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2017
Professional Pell Education Learning or the PROPEL Act This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow federal Pell Grants to be utilized at educational programs that consist of vocational or technical training, flight training, apprenticeship, or other on-job training. In addition, the bill modifies the eligibility requirements under the Federal Pell Grant program for the vocational and training programs, including allowing such programs to be unaccredited.