To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include in the calculation of cost of attendance an allowance for costs for prior learning assessments.

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include in the calculation of cost of attendance an allowance for costs for prior learning assessments.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Short title.

SEC. 2. Cost of attendance to include an allowance for costs for prior learning assessments.

(1) in paragraph (13), by striking “and” after the semicolon;

(2) in paragraph (14), by striking the period and inserting “; and”; and

(3) by adding at the end the following:

“(15) an allowance of not more than $2,000 per award year (adjusted for inflation in years following the 2025–2026 award year) for reasonable costs, including test fees, associated with the assessment of prior learning as part of one or more eligible credit for prior learning assessments.”.

SEC. 3. Definition of eligible credit for prior learning assessment.

“(g) Eligible credit for prior learning assessment.—For purposes of this title, the term ‘eligible credit for prior learning assessment’ includes an evaluation of knowledge or skills learned outside of an institution of higher education—

“(1) that assesses for evidence of learning, not for experience or time spent;

“(2) that has been determined by the institution to be based on generally accepted criteria by relevant subject matter experts; and

“(3) for which successful assessment will result in the institution awarding academic credit (without the student having to enroll in additional coursework to achieve such academic credit) to meet all or part of the program requirements toward completion.”.

SEC. 4. Recognition of accrediting agency or association.

(1) in paragraph (8), by striking “and” after the semicolon;

(2) in paragraph (9)(B), by striking the period and inserting “; and”; and

(3) by adding at the end the following:

“(10) confirms, as part of the agency’s or association’s review for accreditation or reaccreditation, that the institution has sufficient standards for assessment of prior learning—

“(A) that assess for skills, competencies, and knowledge at levels generally accepted by subject matter experts; and

“(B) that are publicly disclosed.”.

SEC. 5. Transparency in college tuition for consumers.

“(AA) The number of students receiving credit for prior learning, disaggregated by race, income, and status as a Federal Pell Grant recipient.

“(BB) The average number of credits awarded per student seeking credit for prior learning, disaggregated by race, income, and status as a Federal Pell Grant recipient.”.

SEC. 6. Effective date.