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United States · Law · HR

H.R. 4137 (110th)

Higher Education Opportunity Act

enactedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

9 November 2007

Last action

14 August 2008 · President

Status

Became Public Law No: 110-315.

Sponsors

Rep. Miller, George [D-CA-11], Rep. Hinojosa, Ruben [D-TX-15], Rep. Sarbanes, John P. [D-MD-3], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. McCarthy, Carolyn [D-NY-4], Rep. Hare, Phil [D-IL-17], Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI], Rep. Tierney, John F. [D-MA-6], Rep. Payne, Donald M. [D-NJ-10], Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2], Rep. Davis, Susan A. [D-CA-53], Rep. Yarmuth, John A. [D-KY-3], Rep. Wu, David [D-OR-1], Rep. Shea-Porter, Carol [D-NH-1], Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3], Rep. Woolsey, Lynn C. [D-CA-6], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Bishop, Timothy H. [D-NY-1], Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD], Rep. Altmire, Jason [D-PA-4], Rep. Engel, Eliot L. [D-NY-16], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4], Rep. Grijalva, Raúl M. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Kildee, Dale E. [D-MI-5], Rep. Honda, Michael M. [D-CA-15], Rep. Loebsack, David [D-IA-2], Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32], Rep. Napolitano, Grace F. [D-CA-32], Rep. Crowley, Joseph [D-NY-14]

Subjects

Defence, Housing, Education

Source updated

21 July 2025

Defence · Housing · Education

Summary

College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2007 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise and reauthorize various programs. Revises the definition of institutions of higher education (IHEs) to include schools that enroll students who are also enrolled in secondary school. Establishes new college cost and assistance information resources for students, parents, and the public. Bars certain business arrangements, inducements, and conflicts of interests between IHEs and student loan providers. Establishes a new Teacher Quality Partnership grant program under title II for high-need local educational agencies (LEAs), high-need schools, and IHEs, replacing the Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants for States and Partnerships program. Creates a new Part C (Enhancing Teacher Education) to title II providing grants for: (1) a Recruiting Teachers With Math, Science, or Language Majors program; (2) a Community Colleges as Partners in Teacher Education Grants program; (3) a Centers of Excellence program for teacher education at certain minority-serving institutions; (4) a Teach For America program; and (5) the establishment of State Early Childhood Education Professional Development and Career Task Forces. Revises title III Institutional Aid programs providing grants to IHEs serving high percentages of minority and low-income students to establish new grant programs for Predominantly Black Institutions, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions, and Native American-serving nontribal institutions. Establishes a YES Partnerships grant program to engage minority youth in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Revises and reauthorizes title IV Student Assistance programs. Alters the Pell grant maximum and allows year-round grants. Broadens the array of students eligible for Academic Competitiveness grants and National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) grants. Eliminates Academic Achievement Incentive Scholarships and Learning Anytime Anywhere Partnerships programs. Turns the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship program into: (1) scholarship and loan forgiveness programs for mathematics and science students; and (2) a program providing grants to partnerships between IHEs and LEAs to improve the teaching and learning of critical foreign languages. Increases the information to be provided to federal student loan borrowers by IHEs, lenders, and guaranty agencies. Expands the child care provider loan forgiveness program under the Federal Family Education Loan and Direct Loan programs to include individuals employed in certain areas of national need. Expands the types of public service occupations for which Perkins loans may be canceled. Excludes certain military housing benefits from title IV need analyses. Requires the development of simplified and electronic student aid application forms and a system providing students and parents with early aid information and eligibility estimates. Establishes a program to encourage the development of articulation agreements among IHEs within states and across state lines. Establishes an Accreditation Ombudsman to address the grievances of those involved in the accreditation process. Revises the title V Developing Institutions grant program for Hispanic-serving institutions. Establishes a new grant program for graduate programs at such institutions. Revises and reauthorizes title VI International Education programs. Establishes a new: (1) Preparing for Early Foreign Language Instruction program providing grants to partnerships between IHE foreign language departments and LEAs; and (2) Science and Technology Advanced Foreign Language Education grant program for IHEs. Revises and reauthorizes title VII Graduate and Post-Secondary Improvement programs. Establishes Patsy T. Mink graduate fellowships for women and minorities studying to enter the professoriate. Establishes new Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education programs. Replaces the Urban Community Service grant program with an Urban-Serving Research Institutions grant program. Establishes programs to support disabled students' access and transition to postsecondary education. Creates grant programs to increase nursing school capacity and provide nurses with the scholarships and release time needed to qualify as nursing school faculty. Establishes a new title VIII creating additional HEA programs to: (1) reward IHEs that make no more than inflationary adjustments to their tuition; (2) provide students with work experiences related to their educational objectives; (3) assist IHEs in implementing articulation agreements; (4) help low-income students complete postsecondary education and training; (5) help students move from developmental studies into, and through, occupational studies; (6) assist Project Grad USA implement education reform services; (7) improve the college enrollment rates of secondary schools; (8) thwart diploma mills; (9) enhance student safety and emergency management at IHEs, and provide IHEs with disaster loans; (10) promote rural development through partnerships between rural IHEs and other rural entities; (11) improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, especially for Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students; (12) create a national database on financial assistance for STEM studies; (13) promote the training and job placement of real time writers; (14) assist IHEs in implementing model programs to address veterans' needs in postsecondary education; (15) support IHE sustainablity programs; and (16) promote the study of modeling and simulation. Revises and reauthorizes various programs under the Education of the Deaf Act of 1986, the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, the Higher Education Amendments of 1992, the Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance Act of 1978, and the Navajo Community College Act. Creates a grant program for two tribally controlled postsecondary career and technical institutions under the Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance Act of 1978. Repeals certain programs under the Higher Education Amendments of 1998. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to establish a loan forgiveness program for prosecutors and public defenders. Amends the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 to establish a Minority Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity program at the Department of Commerce. Private Student Loan Transparency and Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to impose specified consumer protection and disclosure requirements on private educational lenders.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 9 November 2007

    Introduced

    Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Science and Technology, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 9 November 2007

    Introduced

    Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Science and Technology, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 9 November 2007

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 9 November 2007

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  5. 14 November 2007

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  6. 15 November 2007

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  7. 15 November 2007

    Vote

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 45 - 0.

    Source: Committee

  8. 19 December 2007

    Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 305.

    Source: Calendars

  9. 19 December 2007

    Discharge

    Committee on Judiciary discharged.

    Source: Discharge

  10. 19 December 2007

    Committee

    Committee on Judiciary discharged.

    Source: Committee

  11. 19 December 2007

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Labor. H. Rept. 110-500, Part I.

    Source: Committee

  12. 19 December 2007

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Labor. H. Rept. 110-500, Part I.

    Source: Committee

  13. 6 February 2008

    Reported

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 956 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4137 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Education and Labor now printed in the bill.

    Source: Floor

  14. 7 February 2008

    Floor

    The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 4137.

    Source: Floor

  15. 7 February 2008

    Vote

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 354 - 58 (Roll no. 40).

    Source: Floor

  16. 7 February 2008

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  17. 7 February 2008

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 354 - 58 (Roll no. 40).

    Source: Floor

  18. 7 February 2008

    Vote

    On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 194 - 216 (Roll no. 39). (consideration: CR H781-782)

    Source: Floor

  19. 7 February 2008

    Floor

    The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H781)

    Source: Floor

  20. 7 February 2008

    Floor

    Mr. Ferguson moved to recommit with instructions to Education and Labor. (consideration: CR H780-782; text: CR H780)

    Source: Floor

  21. 7 February 2008

    Passed

    The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. (text: CR H658-636)

    Source: Floor

  22. 7 February 2008

    Floor

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H780)

    Source: Floor

  23. 7 February 2008

    Floor

    The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 4137.

    Source: Floor

  24. 7 February 2008

    Floor

    The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

    Source: Floor

  25. 7 February 2008

    Floor

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 956. (consideration: CR H641-645)

    Source: Floor

  26. 7 February 2008

    Floor

    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4137 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Education and Labor now printed in the bill.

    Source: Floor

  27. 7 February 2008

    Floor

    Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 4137 as unfinished business.

    Source: Floor

  28. 7 February 2008

    Passed

    On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

    Source: Floor

  29. 7 February 2008

    Floor

    Mr. Hinojosa moved that the Committee rise.

    Source: Floor

  30. 7 February 2008

    Floor

    The Speaker designated the Honorable Ed Pastor to act as Chairman of the Committee.

    Source: Floor

  31. 7 February 2008

    Floor

    House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 956 and Rule XVIII.

    Source: Floor

  32. 7 February 2008

    Passed

    Rule H. Res. 956 passed House.

    Source: Floor

  33. 25 February 2008

    Introduced

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

    Source: IntroReferral

  34. 29 July 2008

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: Floor

  35. 29 July 2008

    ResolvingDifferences

    The Speaker appointed conferees - from the Committee on Education and Labor for consideration of the House bill and the Senate amendment, and modifications committed to conference: Miller, George, Hinojosa, Tierney, Wu, Bishop (NY), Altmire, Yarmuth, Courtney, Andrews, Scott (VA), Davis (CA), Davis (IL), Hirono, Keller, Petri, McMorris Rodgers, Foxx, Kuhl (NY), Walberg, Castle, Souder, Ehlers, Biggert, and McKeon.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  36. 29 July 2008

    ResolvingDifferences

    Senate insists on its amendment, asks for a conference, appoints conferees Kennedy; Dodd; Harkin; Mikulski; Bingaman; Murray; Reed; Clinton; Obama; Sanders; Brown; Enzi; Gregg; Alexander; Burr; Isakson; Murkowski; Hatch; Roberts; Allard; Coburn. (consideration: CR S7591)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  37. 29 July 2008

    Passed

    Conference committee actions: Conferees agreed to file conference report.(consideration: CR S7591)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  38. 29 July 2008

    Passed

    On motion that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and agree to a conference Agreed to without objection. (consideration: CR H7269)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  39. 29 July 2008

    ResolvingDifferences

    Mr. Miller, George asked unanimous consent that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and agree to a conference. (consideration: CR H7269)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  40. 29 July 2008

    Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7591)

    Source: Floor

  41. 29 July 2008

    Discharge

    Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions discharged by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: Discharge

  42. 29 July 2008

    Committee

    Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions discharged by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: Committee

  43. 30 July 2008

    ResolvingDifferences

    Conference report H. Rept. 110-803 filed. (text of conference report: CR H7353-7517)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  44. 30 July 2008

    ResolvingDifferences

    Conference report filed: Conference report H. Rept. 110-803 filed.(text of conference report: CR H7353-7517)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  45. 31 July 2008

    Action

    Cleared for White House.

  46. 31 July 2008

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

  47. 31 July 2008

    ResolvingDifferences

    Conference report considered in Senate.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  48. 31 July 2008

    Vote

    Conference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report by Yea-Nay Vote. 83 - 8. Record Vote Number: 194.(consideration: CR S7878)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  49. 31 July 2008

    Vote

    On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 380 - 49 (Roll no. 544). (consideration: CR H7673)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  50. 31 July 2008

    Passed

    Motions to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  51. 31 July 2008

    Vote

    Conference report agreed to in House: On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 380 - 49 (Roll no. 544).(consideration: CR H7673)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  52. 31 July 2008

    Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the conference report to accompany H.R. 4137.

    Source: Floor

  53. 31 July 2008

    ResolvingDifferences

    Mr. Miller, George brought up conference report H. Rept. 110-803 for consideration under the provisions of H. Res. 1389. (consideration: CR H7658-7673)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  54. 6 August 2008

    President

    Presented to President.

    Source: President

  55. 6 August 2008

    Floor

    Presented to President.

    Source: Floor

  56. 14 August 2008

    Became law

    Became Public Law No: 110-315.

    Source: President

  57. 14 August 2008

    Became law

    Signed by President.

    Source: BecameLaw

  58. 14 August 2008

    President

    Signed by President.

    Source: President

Votes

31 July 2008 · Conference Report Agreed to · On the Conference Report H.R. 4137 · Conference Report Agreed to · Official source

Yes 83 · No 8 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 8

Showing the first 4 recorded positions. Vote totals above are complete.

Versions

Documents

19 official files

Public Law (text)

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  • Public Law (text)

    Public Law · EN · 14 August 2008

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  • Public Law (PDF)

    Public Law · EN · 14 August 2008

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  • Public Law

    summary · EN · 14 August 2008

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  • Enrolled Bill (text)

    Enrolled Bill · EN · 1 August 2008

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  • Enrolled Bill (PDF)

    Enrolled Bill · EN · 1 August 2008

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  • Engrossed Amendment Senate (text)

    Engrossed Amendment Senate · EN · 30 July 2008

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  • Engrossed Amendment Senate (PDF)

    Engrossed Amendment Senate · EN · 30 July 2008

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  • Conference report filed in House

    summary · EN · 30 July 2008

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  • Referred in Senate (text)

    Referred in Senate · EN · 25 February 2008

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  • Referred in Senate (PDF)

    Referred in Senate · EN · 25 February 2008

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  • Engrossed in House (text)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 7 February 2008

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  • Engrossed in House (PDF)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 7 February 2008

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  • Passed House amended

    summary · EN · 7 February 2008

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  • Reported in House (text)

    Reported in House · EN · 19 December 2007

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  • Reported in House (PDF)

    Reported in House · EN · 19 December 2007

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  • Reported to House amended, Part I

    summary · EN · 19 December 2007

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 9 November 2007

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  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 9 November 2007

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 9 November 2007

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