[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 792 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 792
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to reauthorize the Federal
work-study program, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 25, 2019
Ms. Bonamici (for herself and Mr. Kilmer) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to reauthorize the Federal
work-study program, 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 ``Opportunities for Success Act of
2019''.
SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION.
Section 441 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087-51)
is amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by striking ``part, such sums as may
be necessary for fiscal year 2009 and each of the five
succeeding fiscal years.'' and inserting ``part--
``(1) $1,500,000,000 for fiscal year 2020;
``(2) $1,750,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
``(3) $2,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;
``(4) $2,250,000,000 for fiscal year 2023; and
``(5) $2,500,000,000 for fiscal year 2024 and each
succeeding fiscal year.'';
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'';
(B) in paragraph (4)(C), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) work-based learning designed to give students
experience in any activity described in paragraph (1), (2),
(3), or (4), whether or not credit is awarded.''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Work-Based Learning Defined.--For purposes of this part, the
term `work-based learning' means sustained interactions with industry,
community, or academic professionals in real workplace settings that--
``(1) foster in-depth, first-hand engagement with the tasks
required of a given career field that are aligned to a
student's field of study; and
``(2) may include internships, fellowships, and
apprenticeships.''.
SEC. 3. ALLOCATION FORMULA.
Section 442 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087-52)
is amended to read as follows:
``(a) Reservations.--
``(1) Reservation for improved institutions.--
``(A) Amount of reservation for improved
institutions.--Beginning with the first fiscal year
that is 2 years after the date of the enactment of the
Opportunities for Success Act of 2019, for a fiscal
year in which the amount appropriated under section
441(b) exceeds $700,000,000, the Secretary shall--
``(i) reserve the lesser of--
``(I) an amount equal to 20 percent
of the amount by which the amount
appropriated under section 441(b)
exceeds $700,000,000; or
``(II) $150,000,000; and
``(ii) allocate the amount reserved under
clause (i) to each improved institution in an
amount equal to the greater of the following:
``(I) The amount that bears the
same proportion to the amount reserved
under clause (i) as the total amount of
all Federal Pell Grant funds awarded at
the improved institution for the second
preceding fiscal year bears to the
total amount of Federal Pell Grant
funds awarded at improved institutions
participating under this part for the
second preceding fiscal year.
``(II) $5,000.
``(B) Improved institution described.--For purposes
of this paragraph, an improved institution is an
institution that, on the date the Secretary makes an
allocation under subparagraph (A)(ii)--
``(i) is an institution of higher education
(as defined under section 101);
``(ii) meets the requirements of subsection
(d)(5); and
``(iii) is with respect to--
``(I) the completion rate or
graduation rate of Federal Pell Grant
recipients at the institution, in the
top 75 percent of all institutions
participating under this part for the
preceding fiscal year;
``(II) the percentage of Federal
Pell Grant recipients at the
institution, in the top 50 percent of
the institutions described in subclause
(I); and
``(III) the annual increase in the
completion rate or graduation rate of
Federal Pell Grant recipients at the
institution, in the top 50 percent of
the institutions described in
subclauses (I) and (II).
``(C) Completion rate or graduation rate.--For
purposes of determining the completion rate or
graduation rate under this section, a Federal Pell
Grant recipient who is either a full-time student or a
part-time student shall be counted as a completion or
graduation if, within 150 percent of the normal time
for completion of or graduation from the program, the
student has completed or graduated from the program, or
enrolled in any program of an institution participating
in any program under this title for which the prior
program provides substantial preparation.
``(2) Reservation for grant program.--From the amount
appropriated under section 441(b) for a fiscal year and
remaining after the Secretary reserves funds under subparagraph
(A), the Secretary shall reserve $30,000,000 to carry out
grants under section 449.
``(3) Reallocation of amount returned by improved
institutions.--If an institution returns to the Secretary any
portion of the sums allocated to such institution under this
subsection for any fiscal year, the Secretary shall reallot
such excess to improved institutions on the same basis as under
paragraph (1)(A).
``(4) Publication.--Beginning 1 year after the first
allocations are made to improved institutions under paragraph
(1)(A) and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall make
publicly available--
``(A) a list of the improved institutions that
received funding under such paragraph in the prior
fiscal year;
``(B) the percentage of students at each such
improved institution that are Federal Pell Grant
recipients;
``(C) the completion rate or graduation rate for
the students described in subparagraph (B) with respect
to each such improved institution; and
``(D) a comparison between the information
described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) for the
prior fiscal year for such improved institution, and
such information for the year prior to such year.
``(b) Allocation Formula for Fiscal Years 2020 Through 2024.--
``(1) In general.--From the amount appropriated under
section 441(b) for a fiscal year and remaining after the
Secretary reserves funds under subsection (a), the Secretary
shall allocate to each institution--
``(A) for fiscal year 2020, an amount equal to the
greater of--
``(i) 90 percent of the amount the
institution received under this subsection and
subsection (a) for fiscal year 2019, as such
subsections were in effect with respect to such
fiscal year (in this subparagraph referred to
as `the 2019 amount for the institution'); or
``(ii) the fair share amount for the
institution determined under subsection (d);
``(B) for fiscal year 2021, an amount equal to the
greater of--
``(i) 80 percent of the 2019 amount for the
institution; or
``(ii) the fair share amount for the
institution determined under subsection (d);
``(C) for fiscal year 2022, an amount equal to the
greater of--
``(i) 60 percent of the 2019 amount for the
institution; or
``(ii) the fair share amount for the
institution determined under subsection (d);
``(D) for fiscal year 2023, an amount equal to the
greater of--
``(i) 40 percent of the 2019 amount for the
institution; or
``(ii) the fair share amount for the
institution determined under subsection (d);
and
``(E) for fiscal year 2024, an amount equal to the
greater of--
``(i) 20 percent of the 2019 amount for the
institution; or
``(ii) the fair share amount for the
institution determined under subsection (d).
``(2) Ratable reduction.--
``(A) In general.--If the amount appropriated under
section 441(b) for a fiscal year and remaining after
the Secretary reserves funds under subsection (a) is
less than the amount required to be allocated to the
institutions under this subsection, then the amount of
the allocation to each institution shall be ratably
reduced.
``(B) Additional appropriations.--If the amounts
allocated to each institution are ratably reduced under
subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year and additional
amounts are appropriated for such fiscal year, the
amount allocated to each institution from the
additional amounts shall be increased on the same basis
as the amounts under subparagraph (A) were reduced
(until each institution receives the amount required to
be allocated under this subsection).
``(c) Allocation Formula for Fiscal Year 2025 and Each Succeeding
Fiscal Year.--Except as provided in subsection (d)(5), from the amount
appropriated under section 441(b) for fiscal year 2025 and each
succeeding fiscal year and remaining after the Secretary reserves funds
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall allocate to each institution
the fair share amount for the institution determined under subsection
(d).
``(d) Determination of Fair Share Amount.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the fair share
amount for an institution for a fiscal year shall be equal to
the sum of--
``(A) 100 percent of the institution's
undergraduate student need described in paragraph (3)
for the preceding fiscal year; and
``(B) 25 percent of the institution's graduate
student need described in paragraph (4) for the
preceding fiscal year.
``(2) Institutional undergraduate student need.--The
undergraduate student need for an institution for a fiscal year
shall be equal to the sum of the following:
``(A) An amount equal to 50 percent of the amount
that bears the same proportion to the available
appropriated amount for such fiscal year as the total
amount of Federal Pell Grant funds awarded at the
institution for the preceding fiscal year bears to the
total amount of Federal Pell Grant funds awarded at all
institutions participating under this part for the
preceding fiscal year.
``(B) An amount equal to 50 percent of the amount
that bears the same proportion to the available
appropriated amount for such fiscal year as the total
amount of the undergraduate student need at the
institution for the preceding fiscal year bears to the
total amount of undergraduate student need at all
institutions participating under this part for the
preceding fiscal year.
``(3) Institutional graduate student need.--The graduate
student need for an institution for a fiscal year shall be
equal to the amount that bears the same proportion to the
available appropriated amount for such fiscal year as the total
amount of the graduate student need at the institution for the
preceding fiscal year bears to the total amount of graduate
student need at all institutions participating under this part
for the preceding fiscal year.
``(4) Eligibility for fair share amount.--The Secretary may
not allocate funds under this part to any institution that, for
two or more fiscal years during any three fiscal year period
beginning not earlier than the first day of the first fiscal
year that is 2 years after the date of the enactment of this
paragraph, has--
``(A) a student population with less than 7 percent
of undergraduate students who are recipients of Federal
Pell Grants; or
``(B) if the institution only enrolls graduate
students, a student population that less than 5 percent
of students that have an expected family contribution
of zero.
``(5) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Available appropriated amount.--In this
section, the term `available appropriated amount'
means--
``(i) the amount appropriated under section
441(b) for a fiscal year, minus
``(ii) the amounts reserved under
subsection (a) for such fiscal year.
``(B) Average cost of attendance.--The term
`average cost of attendance' means, with respect to an
institution, the average of the attendance costs for a
fiscal year for students which shall include--
``(i) tuition and fees, computed on the
basis of information reported by the
institution to the Secretary, which shall
include--
``(I) total revenue received by the
institution from undergraduate and
graduate tuition and fees for the
second year preceding the year for
which it is applying for an allocation;
and
``(II) the institution's enrollment
for such second preceding year;
``(ii) standard living expenses equal to
150 percent of the difference between the
income protection allowance for a family of
five with one in college and the income
protection allowance for a family of six with
one in college for a single independent
student; and
``(iii) books and supplies, in an amount
not exceeding $1,000.
``(C) Graduate student need.--The term `graduate
student need' means, with respect to a graduate student
for a fiscal year, the lesser of the following:
``(i) The amount equal to (except the
amount computed by this clause shall not be
less than zero)--
``(I) the average cost of
attendance for the preceding fiscal
year, minus
``(II) each such graduate student's
expected family contribution (computed
in accordance with part F of this
title) for the preceding fiscal year.
``(ii) The total loan limit for Federal
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan.
``(D) Undergraduate student need.--The term
`undergraduate student need' means, with respect to an
undergraduate student for a fiscal year, the lesser of
the following:
``(i) The total of the amount equal to
(except the amount computed by this clause
shall not be less than zero)--
``(I) the average cost of
attendance for the fiscal year, minus
``(II) each such undergraduate
student's expected family contribution
(computed in accordance with part F of
this title) for the preceding fiscal
year.
``(ii) The total loan limit for Federal
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford loan and Federal
Direct Loan.
``(e) Return of Surplus Allocated Funds.--
``(1) In general.--Except with respect to funds returned
under subsection (a)(3), if an institution returns to the
Secretary any portion of the sums allocated to such institution
under this section for any fiscal year, the Secretary shall
reallot such excess to institutions that used at least 10
percent of the total amount of funds granted to such
institution under this section to compensate students employed
during a qualified period of nonenrollment (as such term is
defined in section 443(f)) on the same basis as excess eligible
amounts are allocated under subsection (d).
``(2) Use of funds.--Funds received by institutions
pursuant to this subsection shall be used to compensate
students employed in an work-based learning positions.
``(3) Retained funds.--
``(A) Amount returned.--If an institution returns
more than 10 percent of its allocation under paragraph
(1), the institution's allocation for the next fiscal
year shall be reduced by the amount returned.
``(B) Waiver.--The Secretary may waive this
paragraph for a specific institution if the Secretary
finds that enforcing this paragraph would be contrary
to the interest of the program.
``(f) Filing Deadlines.--The Secretary may require applications
under this section, at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Secretary may require.''.
SEC. 4. GRANTS FOR FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAMS.
Section 443 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087-53)
is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) by amending paragraph (2)(A) to read as
follows:
``(A) for fiscal year 2020 and succeeding fiscal
years, an institution shall (unless the Secretary
determines that enforcing this subparagraph would cause
hardship for students at the institution) use--
``(i) at least 7 percent of the total
amount of funds granted to such institution
under this section for such fiscal year to
compensate students employed in work-based
learning positions; and
``(ii) at least 3 percent of the total
amount of funds granted to such institution
under this section for such fiscal year to
compensate students who have exceptional need
(as defined in section 413C(c)(2)) and are
employed in a work-based learning position
during a qualified period of non-enrollment, as
defined in subsection (f).'';
(B) in paragraph (4)--
(i) by striking ``$300'' and inserting
``$500''; and
(ii) by inserting ``except as provided
under subsection (f),'' before ``provide'';
(C) in paragraph (5), by striking ``75 percent''
each place it appears and inserting ``75 percent in the
first year after the date of the enactment of the
Opportunities for Success Act of 2019, 65 percent in
the first succeeding fiscal year, 60 percent in the
second succeeding fiscal year, 55 percent in the third
succeeding fiscal year, and 50 percent each succeeding
fiscal year'';
(D) in paragraph (6)--
(i) by inserting ``who demonstrate
exceptional need (as defined in section
413C(c)(2))'' after ``students''; and
(ii) by striking ``in need thereof'';
(E) in paragraph (7), by striking ``vocational''
and inserting ``career'';
(F) in paragraph (8)(A)(i), by striking ``or
vocational goals'' and inserting `` career goals'';
(G) in paragraph (10), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a semicolon;
(H) in paragraph (11), by striking the period at
the end and inserting a semicolon; and
(I) by adding at the end the following:
``(12) provide assurances that compensation of students
employed in the work-study program in accordance with the
agreement shall include reimbursement for reasonable travel
(not including the purchase of a vehicle) directly related to
such work-study program;
``(13) provide assurances that the institution will
administer and use feedback from the surveys required under
section 9 of the Opportunities for Success Act of 2019 to
improve the experiences of students employed in the work-study
program in accordance with the agreement;
``(14) provide assurances that the institution will collect
data from students and employers such that the employment made
available from funds under this part will, to the maximum
extent practicable, complement and reinforce the educational
goals or career goals of each student receiving assistance
under this part; and
``(15) provide assurances that if the institution receives
funds under section 442(a)(1)(A), such institution shall--
``(A) use such funds to compensate students
employed in the work-study program in accordance with
the agreement; and
``(B) prioritize the awarding of such funds (and
increasing the amount of each award) to students--
``(i) who demonstrate exceptional need (as
defined in section 413C(c)(2)); and
``(ii) who are employed in work-based
learning opportunities through the work study
program in accordance with the agreement.'';
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) by striking paragraph (2);
(B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) provide assurances that compensation of students
employed in the work-study program in accordance with the
agreement shall include reimbursement for reasonable travel
(not including the purchase of a vehicle) directly related to
such work-study program.''; and
(C) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``and complement
and reinforce the educational goals or career goals of
each student receiving assistance under this part''
after ``academically relevant'';
(3) in subsection (d)(1)--
(A) by striking ``In any academic year to which
subsection (b)(2)(A) applies, an institution shall
ensure that'' and inserting ``An institution may use
the''; and
(B) by striking ``travel'' and inserting
``reasonable travel (not including the purchase of a
vehicle)'';
(4) in subsection (e)(3), by striking ``75'' and inserting
``50''; and
(5) by adding at the end the following:
``(f) Qualified Period of Nonenrollment.--
``(1) In general.--A student may be awarded work-study
employment during a qualified period of nonenrollment if--
``(A) the student demonstrates exceptional need (as
defined in section 413C(c)(2)) in the award year prior
to the qualified period of nonenrollment;
``(B) the student is employed in a work-based
learning position; and
``(C) the employment--
``(i) involves less than 25 percent
administrative work; and
``(ii) is for at least 20 hours per week,
unless the institution waives such
requirement--
``(I) at the request of the
student; or
``(II) based on a finding by the
institution that such requirement
presents a hardship in finding a work-
based learning position for the
student.
``(2) Funds earned.--
``(A) In general.--Any funds earned by a student
(beyond standard living expenses (as such term is
described in section 413D(c)(3)(C))) during the
qualified period of nonenrollment less than or equal to
$2,500 may not be applied to such student's cost of
attendance for the next period in which the student is
enrolled.
``(B) Excess funds.--Any funds earned by a student
(beyond standard living expenses (as such term is
described in section 413D(c)(3)(C))) during the
qualified period of nonenrollment in excess of $2,500
shall be applied to such student's cost of attendance
for the next period in which the student is enrolled.
``(3) Definition of qualified period of nonenrollment.--In
this subsection, the term `qualified period of nonenrollment'
means, with respect to a student, a period of nonenrollment
that--
``(A) occurs between a period of enrollment and a
period of anticipated enrollment; and
``(B) the duration of which is no longer than 6
months.''.
SEC. 5. FLEXIBLE USE OF FUNDS.
Section 445 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087-55)
is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following:
``(3) In addition to the carry-over sums authorized under paragraph
(1) of this section, an institution may permit a student who completed
the previous award period to continue to earn unearned portions of the
student's work-study award from that previous period if--
``(A) any reduction in the student's need upon which the
award was based is accounted for in the remaining portion; and
``(B) the student is currently employed in a work-based
learning position.''; and
(2) by striking ``10 percent'' both places it appears and
inserting ``20 percent''.
SEC. 6. JOB LOCATION AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.
(a) Amendments.--Section 446 of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1087-56) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``10 percent or
$75,000'' and inserting ``20 percent or $150,000''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``vocational''
and inserting ``career''; and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2);
(B) by inserting before paragraph (3) the
following:
``(1) provide satisfactory assurance that the institution
will prioritize placing students with exceptional need (as
defined in section 413C(c)(2)) and Federal work-study
recipients in jobs located and developed under this section;
``(2) provide satisfactory assurances that the funds
available under this section will be used to locate and develop
work-based learning positions;''; and
(C) in paragraph (6), by striking the period and
inserting ``, including--
``(A) the number of students employed in work-based
learning positions through such program;
``(B) the number of students demonstrating
exceptional need (as defined in section 413C(c)(2)) and
Federal work-study recipients employed through such
program; and
``(C) the number of students demonstrating
exceptional need (as defined in section 413C(c)(2)) and
Federal work-study recipients employed in work-based
learning positions through such program.''.
(b) Clarification on Carry-Over Authority.--Of the sums granted to
an eligible institution under part C of title IV of the Higher
Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1087-51) for any fiscal year, 10 percent may,
at the discretion of the institution, remain available for expenditure
during the succeeding fiscal year to carry out programs under such
part, including the job location and development programs under section
446 of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1087-56).
SEC. 7. COMMUNITY SERVICE.
Section 447 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087-57)
is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 447. ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO CONDUCT COMMUNITY SERVICE WORK STUDY
PROGRAMS.
``Each institution participating under this part may use up to 10
percent of the funds made available under section 489(a) and
attributable to the amount of the institution's expenditures under this
part to conduct that institution's program of community service-
learning, including--
``(1) development of mechanisms to assure the academic
quality of the student experience;
``(2) assuring student access to educational resources,
expertise, and supervision necessary to achieve community
service objectives;
``(3) assuring, to the maximum extent practicable, that the
community service-learning program will support the educational
goals or career goals of students participating in such
program;
``(4) collaboration with public and private nonprofit
agencies, and programs assisted under the National and
Community Service Act of 1990 in the planning, development, and
administration of such programs; and
``(5) to recruit and compensate students for community
service-learning (including compensation for time spent in
training and for reasonable travel (not including the purchase
of a vehicle) directly related to such community service).''.
SEC. 8. PILOT GRANT PROGRAM.
Part C of title IV of the Higher Education Act (42 U.S.C. 1087-51
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 449. WORK-BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES PILOT GRANT PROGRAM.
``(a) Establishment.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a program
to provide grants to eligible institutions participating under
this part to establish or expand a program to develop work-
based learning positions.
``(2) Limitations.--
``(A) Duration.--A grant awarded under this section
shall be for a period of not more than 4 years, but may
be renewed by the Secretary for a period of 2 years.
``(B) Amount.--A grant under this section may not
be in an amount greater than $1,000,000.
``(b) Application.--To be selected to receive a grant under this
section an eligible institution participating under this part shall
submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner,
and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including
a plan that describes how the eligible institution will establish or
expand a program to develop work-based learning positions that will--
``(1) benefit students who demonstrate exceptional need (as
defined in section 413C(c)(2));
``(2) identify high-demand occupations (as determined by
the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, State departments of labor,
and local workforce investment boards) and develop partnerships
with high-demand employers (including nonprofit organizations,
for-profit firms, or public agencies);
``(3) involve participating employers in evaluating and
improving such program;
``(4) track and report academic and employment outcomes for
participating students; and
``(5) be able to continue after the end of the grant term.
``(c) Use of Funds.--Grant funds awarded under this program shall
be used to pay wages for students participating under this program and
develop work-based learning positions that--
``(1) are for a period of at least 12 weeks;
``(2) serve students who demonstrate exceptional need (as
defined in section 413C(c)(2));
``(3) limit administrative work to no more than 25 percent
of such position;
``(4) provide a minimum of 15 hours of work per week during
periods of enrollment and 30 hours per week during periods of
non-enrollment, except such requirement may be waived by the
institution in consultation with a student;
``(5) include career coaching from participating employers
(including, mock interviews, resume writing assistance, and
counseling on applying for and attaining employment); and
``(6) provide participating students with opportunities to
meet with employers in fields or industries related to those of
participating employers.
``(d) Report.--On a date that is before the date on which the
period of the grant received by an eligible institution under this
section terminates, such institution shall submit a report to the
Secretary including--
``(1) the graduation rate or completion rate (as described
under section 442(a)(1)(C)) with respect to students
participating in work-based learning positions under the pilot
program; and
``(2) the results of the work-based learning opportunities
program for which such institution received such grant,
including--
``(A) participating students' satisfaction with the
program (as reported in surveys under section 9 of the
Opportunities for Success Act of 2019);
``(B) the types of jobs in which participating
students were employed and the types of duties
performed in such jobs;
``(C) the academic programs of the participating
students;
``(D) the share of participating students who
worked at another job, in addition to the one under the
pilot program;
``(E) the percentage of participating students who,
during the second quarter after completing their
academic program, are in education or training
activities or unsubsidized employment;
``(F) the percentage of participating students
employed in high-demand occupations within 2 quarters
of completing their academic programs; and
``(G) other items as determined by the Secretary.
``(e) Reservation of Funding for Such Program.--From the amount
appropriated under section 441(b) for a fiscal year and remaining after
the Secretary reserves funds under section 442(a)(1), the Secretary
shall reserve $30,000,000 to carry out grants under this section.''.
SEC. 9. DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES.
(a) Surveys.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall develop, in consultation
with work-study administrators from institutions of higher education,
participating employers, and participating students--
(1) a consumer-tested electronic survey for students
awarded work-study employment under the Federal work-study
program under Part C of title IV of the Higher Education Act
(42 U.S.C. 1087-51 et seq.) that--
(A) measures each such student's satisfaction with
the Federal work-study program, including--
(i) any complaints the student has with
respect to the program;
(ii) the amount and quality of the on-the-
job training the student received;
(iii) the amount and quality of on-the-job
supervision and employer feedback the student
received;
(iv) the amount and quality of information
provided by the institution about the work-
study program and job opportunities and the
availability of work-study staff at the
institution;
(v) the quality of the assistance provided
by the institution to the student in finding a
work-study job and the availability of types of
jobs; and
(vi) the student's overall satisfaction
with the work-study program;
(B) measures the applicability of work-study
employment to the educational goals and career goals of
each such student;
(C) elicits an assessment by each such student of
the capacity to manage time between work-study
employment and coursework;
(D) measures, with respect to the program--
(i) the award amounts under the program;
(ii) the average number of hours students
worked per week, and the wages received for
such work;
(iii) the number of on-campus jobs and off-
campus jobs;
(iv) how students located work-study
positions;
(v) the work performed at each job;
(vi) whether students worked additional
jobs while employed in a work-study job (and
the reason for such additional job);
(vii) whether the work-study employment had
an impact on the student's academic
performance; and
(viii) the voluntarily disclosed
demographics of students awarded work-study
employment; and
(E) includes such information as the Secretary may
require;
(2) a consumer-tested electronic survey for employers of
students described in paragraph (1) that--
(A) measures each such employer's satisfaction with
the Federal work-study program, including--
(i) the extent to which the employer is
satisfied with its ability to accommodate
students' schedules;
(ii) the extent to which student-employees
are prepared for the duties advertised for the
job; and
(iii) the extent to which the employer is
satisfied with opportunities to make
recommendations for improving institutions'
academic programs;
(B) elicits an assessment by each such employer
of--
(i) any complaints the employer had with
respect to the program;
(ii) any skills or knowledge necessary for
the job that student-employees are lacking; and
(iii) the extent of outreach from
institutions to the employer; and
(C) includes such information as the Secretary may
require; and
(3) a consumer-tested electronic survey that, not less than
once every 4 years, with respect to each institution of higher
education participating in the Federal work-study program,
measures--
(A) methods used to recruit on-campus and off-
campus employers;
(B) if an institution operates a job location
development program--
(i) the share of jobs filled on-campus and
off-campus;
(ii) the share of jobs filled by--
(I) work-study recipients; and
(II) students who demonstrate
exceptional need (as defined in section
413C(c)(2) of the Higher Education Act
of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070b-2(c)(2)));
(iii) the primary factors considered in
matching work-study students and jobs;
(iv) the share of students employed in
work-based learning opportunities; and
(v) the share of students employed during
qualified periods of nonenrollment, including
the share of students with exceptional need (as
defined in section 413C(c)(2) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070b-
2(c)(2))) employed during qualified periods of
nonenrollment;
(C) the institution's Federal and non-Federal
contributions toward work-study wages;
(D) the primary factors considered in awarding
students work-study and in determining the amount of
the award;
(E) the acceptance rate among students who were
offered work-study aid; and
(F) other information the Secretary may require.
(b) Results.--The Secretary of Education shall develop an online
portal--
(1) for students, employers, and institutions of higher
education to access the surveys required under subsection (a);
and
(2) to compile the results of such surveys.
(c) Report.--Not less than once every 4 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall submit a report
to Congress that includes--
(1) the data collected under this section (redacted for
personal information);
(2) with respect to students employed in work-study through
the Federal work-study program--
(A) the types of jobs such students participated
in;
(B) the average hours worked per week;
(C) the average award amount;
(D) the average wage rates;
(E) the extent to which students enter employment
with skills and knowledge gained from work-study
participation that have prepared them for the job; and
(F) the students' satisfaction with the program and
primary complaints;
(3) the extent to which institutions conduct outreach to
employers and engage them in discussions on improving academic
programs;
(4) the extent to which institutions conduct outreach to
students and make jobs readily available;
(5) the extent to which the work-study employment aligns
with students' academic programs or career goals;
(6) the employers' satisfaction with the program and
primary complaints; and
(7) recommendations for improving the program.
(d) Consultation.--In consulting with the entities described in
subsection (a) to create the electronic surveys required under such
subsection, the Secretary of Education shall engage with--
(1) a representative sample of institutions of higher
education participating in the Federal work-study program;
(2) a representative sample of employers participating in
the Federal work-study program; and
(3) a representative sample of students participating in
the Federal work-study program.
(e) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary of Education shall--
(1) provide technical assistance to institutions
participating under the Federal work-study program under Part C
of title IV of the Higher Education Act (42 U.S.C. 1087-51 et
seq.) to--
(A) comply with the amendments made by this Act and
the regulations issued pursuant to this Act;
(B) administer the surveys described in subsection
(a) to students and employers participating in the
Federal work-study program;
(C) ensure that Federal work-study positions align
with students' educational goals or career goals to the
maximum extent practicable; and
(D) satisfy the requirements under section
443(b)(7) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1087-53(b)(7)); and
(2) issue guidance and provide technical assistance to
institutions to support improved partnerships and coordination
among financial aid, career services, and academic advisors to
administer the Federal work-study program.
(f) Response Rate.--In the case of an institution participating
under the Federal work-study program under Part C of title IV of the
Higher Education Act (42 U.S.C. 1087-51 et seq.) with a response rate
for students and employers with respect to the surveys described in
subsection (a)(1) of less than 75 percent, the Secretary of Education
shall require such institution--
(1) to submit to the Secretary an improvement plan to
increase such response rate; and
(2) if the response rate has not improved 2 years after the
date on which an improvement plan was submitted under paragraph
(1), submit to the Secretary a revised improvement plan.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated $2,000,000 to carry out this subsection (a).
SEC. 10. STUDY AND REPORT.
(a) Study.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct
a study on best practices for assisting students participating in the
Federal work-study program under Part C of title IV of the Higher
Education Act (42 U.S.C. 1087-51 et seq.) with--
(1) connecting to off-campus employers;
(2) procuring work-based learning opportunities through
such program;
(3) procuring employment that aligns with students'
educational goals or career goals;
(4) locating employment through job location and
development programs;
(5) procuring employment in high-demand occupations;
(6) balancing employment with academic programs to improve
graduation and completion rates; and
(7) with respect to students with exceptional need (as
defined in section 413C(c)(2) of the Higher Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070b-2(c)(2)))--
(A) locating and coordinating work-study employment
during qualified periods of non-enrollment;
(B) increasing participation of such students in
such work-study program; and
(C) limiting the need for additional employment
outside the work-study program.
(b) Report.--Not later than one year after the date on which the
study required under subsection (a) is completed, the Comptroller
General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report
summarizing the findings of such study.
(c) Publish Report.--The Comptroller General of the United States
shall make the report required under subsection (b) available to the
public on the website of the Government Accountability Office.
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