[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7644 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 7644

 To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to reauthorize the Federal 
              work-study program, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 13, 2024

 Ms. Bonamici (for herself, Mr. Kilmer, Mrs. Hayes, and Ms. Wilson of 
   Florida) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
                Committee on Education and the Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 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 
2024''.

SEC. 2. PURPOSE; AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    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 2025;
            ``(2) $1,750,000,000 for fiscal year 2026;
            ``(3) $2,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2027;
            ``(4) $2,250,000,000 for fiscal year 2028; and
            ``(5) $2,500,000,000 for fiscal year 2029 and each 
        succeeding fiscal year.'';
            (2) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``child 
                development and early learning (including Head Start 
                and Early Head Start programs carried out under the 
                Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.)),'', before 
                ``literacy training,'';
                    (B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'';
                    (C) in paragraph (4)(C), by striking the period at 
                the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (D) 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), without regard to whether 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 
shall--
            ``(1) include on campus opportunities;
            ``(2) 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
            ``(3) may include internships, fellowships, research 
        assistant positions, teacher residencies, participation in 
        cooperative education, and apprenticeships registered under the 
        Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the ``National 
        Apprenticeship Act''; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 
        et seq.).''.

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:

``SEC. 442. ALLOCATION OF FUNDS.

    ``(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 2024, 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) participating 
                        under this part;
                            ``(ii) 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 participating under 
                                this part for the preceding fiscal 
                                year; 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 participating under 
                                this part for the preceding fiscal 
                                year.
                    ``(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 completer or 
                graduate 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 2025 Through 2029.--
            ``(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 2025, 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 2024, as such 
                        subsections were in effect with respect to such 
                        fiscal year (in this subparagraph referred to 
                        as `the 2024 amount for the institution'); or
                            ``(ii) the fair share amount for the 
                        institution determined under subsection (d);
                    ``(B) for fiscal year 2026, an amount equal to the 
                greater of--
                            ``(i) 80 percent of the 2024 amount for the 
                        institution; or
                            ``(ii) the fair share amount for the 
                        institution determined under subsection (d);
                    ``(C) for fiscal year 2027, an amount equal to the 
                greater of--
                            ``(i) 60 percent of the 2024 amount for the 
                        institution; or
                            ``(ii) the fair share amount for the 
                        institution determined under subsection (d);
                    ``(D) for fiscal year 2028, an amount equal to the 
                greater of--
                            ``(i) 40 percent of the 2024 amount for the 
                        institution; or
                            ``(ii) the fair share amount for the 
                        institution determined under subsection (d); 
                        and
                    ``(E) for fiscal year 2029, an amount equal to the 
                greater of--
                            ``(i) 20 percent of the 2024 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 2030 and Each Succeeding 
Fiscal Year.--Except as provided in subsection (d)(5), from the amount 
appropriated under section 441(b) for fiscal year 2030 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 (2) 
                for the preceding fiscal year; and
                    ``(B) 25 percent of the institution's graduate 
                student need described in paragraph (3) for the 
                preceding fiscal year.
            ``(2) Institutional undergraduate student need 
        calculation.--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 calculation.--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 with less than 5 percent 
                of students that have a student aid index 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) such graduate student's 
                                student aid index (computed in 
                                accordance with part F of this title) 
                                for the preceding fiscal year.
                            ``(ii) The total annual loan limit for a 
                        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) such undergraduate student's 
                                student aid index (computed in 
                                accordance with part F of this title) 
                                for the preceding fiscal year.
                            ``(ii) The total annual loan limit for a 
                        Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan and a 
                        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, to maximum extent 
        practicable, be used to compensate students employed in 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.

    (a) Amendments.--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) to read as follows:
            ``(2) provide that funds granted an institution of higher 
        education pursuant to this section may only be used to make 
        payments to students participating in work-study programs, 
        except that an institution--
                    ``(A) shall, beginning in fiscal year 2027--
                            ``(i) use 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 nonenrollment, as 
                        defined in subsection (f);
                            ``(ii) use 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
                            ``(iii) use 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 community 
                        service, and shall ensure that not less than 1 
                        tutoring or family literacy project (as 
                        described in subsection (d)) is included in 
                        meeting the requirement of this subparagraph,
                except that the Secretary may waive a clause under this 
                subparagraph with respect to an institution if the 
                Secretary determines that enforcing such clause would 
                cause hardship for students at the institution; and
                    ``(B) may--
                            ``(i) use a portion of the sums granted to 
                        it to meet administrative expenses in 
                        accordance with section 489;
                            ``(ii) use a portion of the sums granted to 
                        it to meet the cost of a job location and 
                        development program in accordance with section 
                        446 of this part; and
                            ``(iii) transfer funds in accordance with 
                        the provisions of section 488;'';
                    (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)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking 
                        ``and'' at the end;
                            (ii) in subparagraph (B), by inserting 
                        ``and'' after the semicolon; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(C) the Federal share shall equal 100 percent if 
                the institution is eligible for assistance under title 
                III or title V;'';
                    (D) in paragraph (6)--
                            (i) by inserting ``who demonstrate 
                        exceptional need (as defined in section 
                        413C(c)(2))'' after ``students''; and
                            (ii) by inserting ``and prioritize 
                        employment for students who are currently 
                        homeless individuals described in section 725 
                        of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act 
                        (42 U.S.C. 11434a) or foster care youth'' after 
                        ``institution'';
                    (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 449A, 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 amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
            ``(2) provide that--
                    ``(A) in the case of an institution that has not 
                received a waiver from the Secretary, such institution 
                will not use more than 25 percent of the funds made 
                available to such institution under this part for any 
                fiscal year for the operation of the program described 
                in paragraph (1); and
                    ``(B) in the case of an institution that has 
                received a waiver from the Secretary, such institution 
                will not use more than 50 percent of the funds made 
                available to such institution under this part for any 
                fiscal year for the operation of the program described 
                in paragraph (1);'';
                    (B) in paragraph (4)--
                            (i) by inserting ``and complement and 
                        reinforce the educational goals or career goals 
                        of each student receiving assistance under this 
                        part'' after ``academically relevant''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``and'' at the end;
                    (C) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the 
                end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(6) 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.'';
            (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)''; and
            (4) 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.
    ``(g) Cooperative Education.--
            ``(1) In general.--A student may be awarded work-study 
        employment for participation in cooperative education on--
                    ``(A) a part-time basis; or
                    ``(B) a full-time basis for a period equal to or 
                less than 6 months.
            ``(2) Private agreements for cooperative education.--As 
        part of its agreement described in subsection (b), an 
        institution of higher education may, at its option, enter into 
        an additional agreement with the Secretary which shall provide 
        for the operation by the institution of a program of 
        cooperative education of its students (on the basis described 
        in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1)) by a private for-
        profit organization under an agreement between the institution 
        and such organization that complies with the requirements of 
        subsection (c).
            ``(3) Full-time basis period.--The period specified in 
        paragraph (1)(B) may be non-consecutive and include 
        participation during qualified periods of nonenrollment (as 
        defined in subsection (f)(3)).
            ``(4) Cooperative education defined.--In this subsection, 
        the term `cooperative education' means a program of alternating 
        or parallel periods of academic study and work-based learning 
        designed to give students work experiences related to their 
        academic or career objectives.
    ``(h) Notification Regarding SNAP.--
            ``(1) In general.--An institution receiving a grant under 
        this part shall send a notification (by email or other 
        electronic means) to each eligible student informing the 
        student of their potential eligibility for participation in the 
        SNAP and the process for obtaining more information, confirming 
        eligibility, and accessing benefits under that program. The 
        notification shall be developed by the Secretary of Education 
        in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, and shall 
        include details on eligibility requirements for participation 
        in the SNAP that a student must satisfy. The notification shall 
        be, to the extent practicable, specific to the student's State 
        of residence and shall provide contact information for the 
        local office where an application for the SNAP may be made.
            ``(2) Evidence of participation in federally financed work-
        study program.--The notification under paragraph (1) shall 
        include an official document confirming that the recipient is 
        an eligible student sufficient for purposes of demonstrating 
        that the exclusion from ineligibility for participation in the 
        SNAP under section 6(e)(4) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 
        2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015(e)(4)) applies to the student.
            ``(3) Guidance.--The Secretary of Education, in 
        consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall provide 
        guidance to States and institutions of higher education on how 
        to identify and communicate with students who are likely to be 
        eligible for the SNAP, including those eligible for a State or 
        federally financed work-study program.
            ``(4) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection:
                    ``(A) The term `eligible student' means a student 
                receiving work-study assistance under this part.
                    ``(B) The term `SNAP' means the supplemental 
                nutrition assistance program (as defined in section 
                3(t) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 
                2012(t))).''.
    (b) Effective Dates.--The amendment made by subparagraph (A) of 
subsection (a)(1) shall take effect on October 1, 2025, and shall be 
effective for fiscal year 2026 and each succeeding fiscal year.

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.

    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; 
        and
            ``(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.''.

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. AMENDMENTS TO WORK COLLEGES.

    Section 448 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087-58) 
is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by inserting ``student'' after 
        ``comprehensive'';
            (2) in subsection (b)(2)(D), by inserting ``student'' after 
        ``comprehensive'';
            (3) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) by striking ``Each eligible institution'' and 
                inserting the following:
            ``(1) In general.--Each eligible institution''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Application dates.--The Secretary shall require an 
        eligible institution that submits an application for funding 
        under this section for the first time to submit such 
        application 5 months prior to the application due date for 
        returning applicants.''; and
            (4) in subsection (e)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking subparagraph (B) and 
                        inserting the following:
                    ``(B) is accredited by an accrediting agency or 
                association recognized by the Secretary pursuant to 
                part H, has operated a work-study program under this 
                part for at least the 2 years preceding the date of the 
                determination, and has operated a comprehensive student 
                work-learning-service program for at least the 2 years 
                preceding the date of the determination;'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting 
                        ``student'' after ``comprehensive''; and
                            (iii) in subparagraph (D), by inserting 
                        ``student'' after ``comprehensive''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) 
                        through (F) as subparagraphs (B) through (G), 
                        respectively; and
                            (ii) by inserting before subparagraph (B), 
                        as redesignated by clause (i), the following:
                    ``(A) is a 4-year, degree-granting program;''.

SEC. 9. PILOT GRANT PROGRAM.

    Part C of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1087-51 et seq.), as amended by this part, is further 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 in-demand industry sectors and occupations 
        (as defined in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and 
        Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102) and as determined by the 
        Bureau of Labor and Statistics, State departments of labor, and 
        local boards (as defined in such section 3)) and develop 
        partnerships with high-demand employers (including nonprofit 
        organizations, joint labor-management 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 
        nonenrollment, 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, career 
        exploration, 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 449A, as 
                added by section 10 of the Opportunities for Success 
                Act of 2024;
                    ``(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 in-demand industry sectors or occupations 
                as described in subsection (b)(2) within 2 quarters of 
                completing their academic programs; and
                    ``(G) other items as deemed relevant 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. 10. DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES.

    Part C of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1087-51 et seq.), as amended by this part, is further amended by adding 
at the end the following:

``SEC. 449A. DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES.

    ``(a) Surveys.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this section, the Secretary 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 this part 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));
                            ``(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)) 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 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 years after the date of 
the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary 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.--
            ``(1) In general.--In consulting with the entities 
        described in subsection (a) to create the electronic surveys 
        required under such subsection, the Secretary shall engage 
        with--
                    ``(A) a representative sample of institutions of 
                higher education participating in the Federal work-
                study program;
                    ``(B) a representative sample of employers 
                participating in the Federal work-study program; and
                    ``(C) a representative sample of students 
                participating in the Federal work-study program.
            ``(2) Response rate.--The Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) consult with a survey consultant to develop a 
                target response rate with respect to the electronic 
                surveys required under subsection (a); and
                    ``(B) provide guidance to institution with respect 
                to such developed target response rate.
    ``(e) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary shall--
            ``(1) provide technical assistance to institutions 
        participating under the Federal work-study program under this 
        part to--
                    ``(A) comply with the amendments made by the 
                Opportunities for Success Act of 2024 and the 
                regulations issued pursuant to such Act;
                    ``(B) administer the surveys described in 
                subsection (a) to students and employers participating 
                in the Federal work-study program; and
                    ``(C) ensure that Federal work-study positions 
                align with students' educational goals or career goals 
                to the maximum extent practicable; 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) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated $2,000,000 to carry out subsections (a), (b), and (c).''.

SEC. 11. STUDY AND REPORT.

    (a) Study.--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 in-demand industry sectors or 
        occupations (as defined in section 3 of the Workforce 
        Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102));
            (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 nonenrollment;
                    (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.
                                 <all>