[House Report 113-530]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


113th Congress  }                                            {   Report
  2d Session    }        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES            {  113-530

=======================================================================
 
           STRENGTHENING TRANSPARENCY IN HIGHER EDUCATION ACT 

                                _______
                                

 July 17, 2014.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

Mr. Kline, from the Committee on Education and the Workforce, submitted 
                             the following

                              R E P O R T

                             together with

                             MINORITY VIEWS

                        [To accompany H.R. 4983]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Education and the Workforce, to whom was 
referred the bill (H.R. 4983) to simplify and streamline the 
information regarding institutions of higher education made 
publicly available by the Secretary of Education, and for other 
purposes, having considered the same, report favorably thereon 
with an amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do 
pass.
    The amendment is as follows:
  Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``Strengthening Transparency in Higher 
Education Act''.

SEC. 2. COLLEGE DASHBOARD WEBSITE.

  (a) Establishment.--Section 132 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1015a) is amended--
          (1) in subsection (a)--
                  (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``first-time,'';
                  (B) in paragraph (3) in the matter preceding 
                subparagraph (A), by striking ``first-time,''; and
                  (C) in paragraph (4), by striking ``first-time,'';
          (2) in subsection (b)--
                  (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``first-time''; and
                  (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``first-time'';
          (3) by striking subsections (c) through (g), (j), and (l);
          (4) by redesignating subsections (h), (i), and (k) as 
        subsections (c), (d), and (e), respectively; and
          (5) by striking subsection (d) (as so redesignated) and 
        inserting the following new subsection:
  ``(d) Consumer Information.--
          ``(1) Availability of title iv institution information.--The 
        Secretary shall develop and make publicly available a website 
        to be known as the `College Dashboard website' in accordance 
        with this section and prominently display on such website, in 
        simple, understandable, and unbiased terms for the most recent 
        academic year for which satisfactory data are available, the 
        following information with respect to each institution of 
        higher education that participates in a program under title IV:
                  ``(A) A link to the website of the institution.
                  ``(B) An identification of the type of institution as 
                one of the following:
                          ``(i) A four-year public institution of 
                        higher education.
                          ``(ii) A four-year private, nonprofit 
                        institution of higher education.
                          ``(iii) A four-year private, for-profit 
                        institution of higher education.
                          ``(iv) A two-year public institution of 
                        higher education.
                          ``(v) A two-year private, nonprofit 
                        institution of higher education.
                          ``(vi) A two-year private, for-profit 
                        institution of higher education.
                          ``(vii) A less than two-year public 
                        institution of higher education.
                          ``(viii) A less than two-year private, 
                        nonprofit institution of higher education.
                          ``(ix) A less than two-year private, for-
                        profit institution of higher education.
                  ``(C) The number of students enrolled at the 
                institution--
                          ``(i) as undergraduate students; and
                          ``(ii) as graduate students, if applicable.
                  ``(D) The student-faculty ratio.
                  ``(E) The percentage of degree-seeking or 
                certificate-seeking undergraduate students enrolled at 
                the institution who obtain a degree or certificate 
                within--
                          ``(i) 100 percent of the normal time for 
                        completion of, or graduation from, the program 
                        in which the student is enrolled;
                          ``(ii) 150 percent of the normal time for 
                        completion of, or graduation from, the program 
                        in which the student is enrolled; and
                          ``(iii) 200 percent of the normal time for 
                        completion of, or graduation from, the program 
                        in which the student is enrolled.
                  ``(F) The average net price per year for 
                undergraduate students and a link to the net price 
                calculator for such institution.
                  ``(G) The average Federal student loan debt incurred 
                by an undergraduate student who has obtained a 
                certificate or degree from the institution and who 
                borrowed Federal student loans in the course of 
                obtaining such certificate or degree.
                  ``(H) A link to national and regional data from the 
                Bureau of Labor Statistics on starting salaries in all 
                major occupations.
                  ``(I) A link to the webpage of the institution 
                containing campus safety data with respect to such 
                institution.
          ``(2) Additional information.--The Secretary shall publish on 
        Internet webpages that are linked to through the College 
        Dashboard website for the most recent academic year for which 
        satisfactory data is available the following information with 
        respect to each institution of higher education that 
        participates in a program under title IV:
                  ``(A) Enrollment.--
                          ``(i) The percentages of male and female 
                        undergraduate students enrolled at the 
                        institution.
                          ``(ii) The percentages of undergraduate 
                        students enrolled at the institution--
                                  ``(I) full-time; and
                                  ``(II) less than full-time.
                          ``(iii) Of the undergraduate students 
                        enrolled at the institution--
                                  ``(I) the percentage of such students 
                                who are from the State in which the 
                                institution is located;
                                  ``(II) the percentage of such 
                                students who are from other States; and
                                  ``(III) the percentage of such 
                                students who are international 
                                students.
                          ``(iv) The percentages of students enrolled 
                        at the institution, disaggregated by--
                                  ``(I) race and ethnic background;
                                  ``(II) classification as a student 
                                with a disability;
                                  ``(III) recipients of a Federal Pell 
                                Grant;
                                  ``(IV) recipients of veterans' 
                                education benefits (as defined in 
                                section 480); and
                                  ``(V) recipients of a Federal student 
                                loan.
                  ``(B) Completion.--The information required under 
                paragraph (1)(E), disaggregated by--
                          ``(i) recipients of a Federal Pell Grant;
                          ``(ii) recipients of a loan made under part D 
                        (other than a Federal Direct Unsubsidized 
                        Stafford Loan) who did not receive a Federal 
                        Pell Grant;
                          ``(iii) persons who did not receive a Federal 
                        Pell Grant or a loan made under part D (other 
                        than a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford 
                        Loan);
                          ``(iv) race and ethnic background; and
                          ``(v) classification as a student with a 
                        disability.
                  ``(C) Costs.--
                          ``(i) The cost of attendance for full-time 
                        undergraduate students enrolled in the 
                        institution who live on campus.
                          ``(ii) The cost of attendance for full-time 
                        undergraduate students enrolled in the 
                        institution who live off campus.
                          ``(iii) The cost of tuition and fees for 
                        full-time undergraduate students enrolled in 
                        the institution.
                          ``(iv) The cost of tuition and fees per 
                        credit hour or credit hour equivalency for 
                        undergraduate students enrolled in the 
                        institution less than full time.
                          ``(v) In the case of a public institution of 
                        higher education and notwithstanding subsection 
                        (b)(1), the costs described in clauses (i) and 
                        (ii) for--
                                  ``(I) full-time students enrolled in 
                                the institution who are residents of 
                                the State in which the institution is 
                                located; and
                                  ``(II) full-time students enrolled in 
                                the institution who are not residents 
                                of such State.
                          ``(vi) The net price for students receiving 
                        Federal student financial aid under title IV, 
                        disaggregated by the following income 
                        categories for such students:
                                  ``(I) $0 to $30,000.
                                  ``(II) $30,001 to $48,000.
                                  ``(III) $48,001 to $75,000.
                                  ``(IV) $75,001 to $110,000.
                                  ``(V) Over $110,000.
                  ``(D) Financial aid.--
                          ``(i) The average annual grant amount 
                        (including Federal, State, and institutional 
                        aid) awarded to an undergraduate student 
                        enrolled at the institution who receives 
                        financial aid.
                          ``(ii) The percentage of undergraduate 
                        students enrolled at the institution receiving 
                        Federal, State, and institutional grants, 
                        student loans, and any other type of student 
                        financial assistance known by the institution, 
                        provided publicly or through the institution, 
                        such as Federal work-study funds.
                          ``(iii) The cohort default rate (as defined 
                        in section 435(m)) for such institution.
                  ``(E) Faculty information.--
                          ``(i) The ratio of the number of course 
                        sections taught by part-time instructors to the 
                        number of course sections taught by full-time 
                        faculty, disaggregated by course sections 
                        intended primarily for undergraduate students 
                        and course sections intended primarily for 
                        graduate students.
                          ``(ii) The mean and median years of 
                        employment for part-time instructors.
          ``(3) Other data matters.--
                  ``(A) Completion data.--The Commissioner of Education 
                Statistics shall ensure that the information required 
                under paragraph (1)(E) includes information with 
                respect to all students at an institution, including 
                students other than first-time, full-time students, in 
                a manner that the Commissioner considers appropriate.
                  ``(B) Adjustment of income categories.--The Secretary 
                may annually adjust the range of each of the income 
                categories described in paragraph (2)(C)(vi) to account 
                for a change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban 
                Consumers as determined by the Bureau of Labor 
                Statistics if the Secretary determines an adjustment is 
                necessary.
          ``(4) Institutional comparison.--The Secretary shall include 
        on the College Dashboard website a method for users to easily 
        compare the information required under paragraphs (1) and (2) 
        between institutions.
          ``(5) Updates.--
                  ``(A) Data.--The Secretary shall update the College 
                Dashboard website not less than annually.
                  ``(B) Technology and format.--The Secretary shall 
                regularly assess the format and technology of the 
                College Dashboard website and make any changes or 
                updates that the Secretary considers appropriate.
          ``(6) Consumer testing.--
                  ``(A) In general.--In developing and maintaining the 
                College Dashboard website, the Secretary, in 
                consultation with appropriate departments and agencies 
                of the Federal Government, shall conduct consumer 
                testing with appropriate persons, including current and 
                prospective college students, family members of such 
                students, institutions of higher education, and 
                experts, to ensure that the College Dashboard website 
                is usable and easily understandable and provides useful 
                and relevant information to students and families.
                  ``(B) Recommendations for changes.--The Secretary 
                shall submit to the authorizing committees any 
                recommendations that the Secretary considers 
                appropriate for changing the information required to be 
                provided on the College Dashboard website under 
                paragraphs (1) and (2) based on the results of the 
                consumer testing conducted under subparagraph (A).
          ``(7) Provision of appropriate links to prospective students 
        after submission of FAFSA.--The Secretary shall provide to each 
        student that submits a Free Application for Federal Student Aid 
        described in section 483 a link to the webpage of the College 
        Dashboard website that contains the information required under 
        paragraph (1) for each institution of higher education such 
        student includes on such Application.
          ``(8) Interagency coordination.--The Secretary, in 
        consultation with each appropriate head of a department or 
        agency of the Federal Government, shall ensure to the greatest 
        extent practicable that any information related to higher 
        education that is published by such department or agency is 
        consistent with the information published on the College 
        Dashboard website.
          ``(9) References to college navigator website.--Any reference 
        in this Act to the College Navigator website shall be 
        considered a reference to the College Dashboard website.''.
  (b) Conforming Amendments.--The Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1001 et seq.), as amended by subsection (a) of this section, is 
further amended--
          (1) in section 131(h)(1) (20 U.S.C. 1015(h)(1)), by striking 
        ``College Navigator'' and inserting ``College Dashboard''; and
          (2) in section 132(a) (20 U.S.C. 1015a(a)), by striking 
        paragraph (1) and inserting the following new paragraph:
          ``(1) College dashboard website.--The term `College Dashboard 
        website' means the College Dashboard website required under 
        subsection (d).''.
  (c) Development.--The Secretary of Education shall develop and 
publish the College Dashboard website required under section 132 of the 
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1015a), as amended by 
subsections (a) and (b) of this section, not later than one year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act.
  (d) College Navigator Website Maintenance.--The Secretary shall 
maintain the College Navigator website required under section 132 of 
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1015a), as in effect the 
day before the date of the enactment of this Act, in the manner 
required under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as in effect on such 
day, until the College Dashboard website referred to in subsection (c) 
is complete and publicly available on the Internet.

SEC. 3. NET PRICE CALCULATORS.

  Subsection (c) of section 132 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1015a), as redesignated by section 2(a)(4) of this Act, is 
amended--
          (1) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (6); and
          (2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new 
        paragraphs:
          ``(4) Minimum requirements for net price calculators.--Not 
        later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of the 
        Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act, a net price 
        calculator for an institution of higher education shall meet 
        the following requirements:
                  ``(A) The link for the calculator shall--
                          ``(i) be clearly labeled as a net price 
                        calculator and prominently, clearly, and 
                        conspicuously posted in locations on the 
                        website of such institution where information 
                        on costs and aid is provided and any other 
                        location that the institution considers 
                        appropriate; and
                          ``(ii) match in size and font to the other 
                        prominent links on the webpage where the link 
                        for the calculator is displayed.
                  ``(B) The webpage displaying the results for the 
                calculator shall specify at least the following 
                information:
                          ``(i) The net price (as calculated under 
                        subsection (a)(2)) for such institution, which 
                        shall be the most visually prominent figure on 
                        the results screen.
                          ``(ii) Cost of attendance, including--
                                  ``(I) tuition and fees;
                                  ``(II) average annual cost of room 
                                and board for the institution for a 
                                full-time undergraduate student 
                                enrolled in the institution;
                                  ``(III) average annual cost of books 
                                and supplies for a full-time 
                                undergraduate student enrolled in the 
                                institution; and
                                  ``(IV) estimated cost of other 
                                expenses (including personal expenses 
                                and transportation) for a full-time 
                                undergraduate student enrolled in the 
                                institution.
                          ``(iii) Estimated total need-based grant aid 
                        and merit-based grant aid from Federal, State, 
                        and institutional sources that may be available 
                        to a full-time undergraduate student.
                          ``(iv) Percentage of the full-time 
                        undergraduate students enrolled in the 
                        institution that received any type of grant aid 
                        described in clause (iii).
                          ``(v) The disclaimer described in paragraph 
                        (6).
                          ``(vi) In the case of a calculator that--
                                  ``(I) includes questions to estimate 
                                the eligibility of a student or 
                                prospective student for veterans' 
                                education benefits (as defined in 
                                section 480) or educational benefits 
                                for active duty service members, such 
                                benefits are displayed on the results 
                                screen in a manner that clearly 
                                distinguishes such benefits from the 
                                grant aid described in clause (iii); or
                                  ``(II) does not include questions to 
                                estimate eligibility for the benefits 
                                described in subclause (I), the results 
                                screen indicates that certain students 
                                (or prospective students) may qualify 
                                for such benefits and includes a link 
                                to information about such benefits.
                  ``(C) The institution shall populate the calculator 
                with data from not later than 2 academic years prior to 
                the most recent academic year.
          ``(5) Prohibition on use of data collected by the net price 
        calculator.--A net price calculator for an institution of 
        higher education shall--
                  ``(A) clearly indicate which questions are required 
                to be completed for an estimate of the net price from 
                the calculator;
                  ``(B) in the case of a calculator that requests 
                contact information from users, clearly mark such 
                requests as optional and provide for an estimate of the 
                net price from the calculator without requiring users 
                to enter such information; and
                  ``(C) prohibit any personally identifiable 
                information provided by users from being sold or made 
                available to third parties.''.

SEC. 4. FUNDING.

  (a) Use of Existing Funds.--Of the amount authorized to be 
appropriated to the Department of Education to maintain the College 
Navigator website, $1,000,000 shall be available to carry out this Act 
and the amendments made by this Act.
  (b) No Additional Funds Authorized.--No funds are authorized by this 
Act to be appropriated to carry out this Act or the amendments made by 
this Act.

   H.R. 4983, THE STRENGTHENING TRANSPARENCY IN HIGHER EDUCATION ACT


                                Purpose

    H.R. 4983, the Strengthening Transparency in Higher 
Education Act, streamlines and improves the information made 
available by the secretary of education about institutions of 
higher education in order to help students and families make 
more informed decisions about postsecondary education options.

                            Committee Action

    As the Committee on Education and the Workforce begins the 
Higher Education Act reauthorization process, increasing 
transparency and usefulness of higher education data; 
simplifying and improving the federal student aid programs; and 
promoting innovation, access, and completion remain top 
priorities.

                             112TH CONGRESS

Hearings--First session

    On March 1, 2011, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce held a hearing in Washington, D.C., on ``Education 
Regulations: Weighing the Burden on Schools and Students.'' The 
hearing was the first in a series examining the burden of 
federal, state, and local regulations on the nation's education 
system. The purpose of the hearing was to uncover the damaging 
effects of federal regulations on schools and institutions. 
These rules increasingly stifle growth and innovation, raise 
operating costs, and limit student access to affordable 
colleges and universities throughout the nation. Testifying 
before the committee were Dr. Edgar Hatrick, Superintendent, 
Loudon County Public Schools, Ashburn, Virginia; Ms. Kati 
Haycock, President, The Education Trust, Washington, D.C.; Mr. 
Gene Wilhoit, Executive Director, Council of Chief State School 
Officers, Washington, D.C.; and Mr. Christopher B. Nelson, 
President, St. John's College, Annapolis, Maryland.
    On March 11, 2011, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce 
Training held a hearing in Washington, D.C., on ``Education 
Regulations: Federal Overreach into Academic Affairs.'' The 
purpose of the hearing was to discuss the most egregious and 
intrusive pieces of the program integrity regulations issued by 
the U.S. Department of Education, specifically, the state 
authorization regulation and the credit hour regulation, and to 
uncover the unintended consequences of the regulations to 
states and institutions of higher education. Testifying before 
the subcommittee were Mr. John Ebersole, President, Excelsior 
College, Albany, New York; Dr. G. Blair Dowden, President, 
Huntington University, Huntington, Indiana; The Honorable 
Kathleen Tighe, Inspector General, U.S. Department of 
Education, Washington, D.C.; and Mr. Ralph Wolff, President, 
Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Alameda, 
California.
    On March 17, 2011, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce held a hearing in Washington, D.C., on ``Education 
Regulations: Roadblocks to Student Choice in Higher 
Education.'' The purpose of the hearing was to explore the 
harmful consequences of the gainful employment regulation 
issued by the U.S. Department of Education. Testifying before 
the committee were Ms. Catherine Barreto, Graduate, Monroe 
College, and Senior Sales Associate, Doubletree Hotels, 
Brooklyn, New York; Mr. Travis Jennings, Electrical Supervisor 
of the Manufacturing Launch Systems Group, Orbital Sciences 
Corporation, Chandler, Arizona; Dr. Arnold Mitchem, President, 
Council for Opportunity in Education, Washington, D.C.; and Ms. 
Jeanne Herrmann, Chief Operating Officer, Globe University/
Minnesota School of Business, Woodbury, Minnesota.
    On March 21, 2011, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce held a hearing in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on 
``Reviving our Economy: The Role of Higher Education in Job 
Growth and Development.'' The purpose of the hearing was to 
highlight work by local colleges and universities to respond to 
local and state economic needs. Testifying before the committee 
were Mr. James Perry, President, Hazelton City Council, 
Hazelton, Pennsylvania; Mr. Jeffrey Alesson, Vice President of 
Strategic Planning and Quality Assurance, Diamond 
Manufacturing, Exeter, Pennsylvania; Dr. Reynold Verret, 
Provost, Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; Mr. 
Raymond Angeli, President, Lackawanna College, Scranton, 
Pennsylvania; Ms. Joan Seaman, Executive Director, Empire 
Beauty School, Moosic, Pennsylvania; and Mr. Thomas P. Leary, 
President, Luzerne County Community College, Nanticoke, 
Pennsylvania.
    On March 22, 2011, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce held a hearing in Utica, New York, on ``Reviving our 
Economy: The Role of Higher Education in Job Growth and 
Development.'' The purpose of the hearing was to highlight work 
by local colleges and universities to respond to local and 
state economic needs. Testifying before the committee were Mr. 
Anthony J. Picente, Jr., County Executive, Oneida County, 
Utica, New York; Mr. Dave Mathis, Director, Oneida County 
Workforce Development, Utica, New York; Dr. John Bay, Vice 
President and Chief Scientist, Assured Information Security, 
Inc., Rome, New York; Dr. Bjong Wolf Yeigh, President, State 
University of New York Institute of Technology, Utica, New 
York; Dr. Ann Marie Murray, President, Herkimer County 
Community College, Herkimer, New York; Dr. Judith Kirkpatrick, 
Provost, Utica College, Utica, New York; and Mr. Phil Williams, 
President, Utica School of Commerce, The Business College, 
Utica, New York.
    On April 21, 2011, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce held a hearing in Columbia, Tennessee, on ``Reviving 
our Economy: The Role of Higher Education in Job Growth and 
Development.'' The purpose of the hearing was to highlight the 
work by local colleges and universities to respond to local and 
state economic needs. Testifying before the committee were Dr. 
Janet Smith, President, Columbia State Community College, 
Columbia, Tennessee; Dr. Ted Brown, President, Martin-Methodist 
College, Pulaski, Tennessee; Mr. Jim Coakley, President, 
Nashville Auto-Diesel College, Nashville, Tennessee; The 
Honorable Dean Dickey, Mayor, City of Columbia, Tennessee; Ms. 
Susan Marlow, President and Chief Executive Officer, Smart Data 
Strategies, Franklin, Tennessee; Ms. Jan McKeel, Executive 
Director, South Central Tennessee Workforce Board, Columbia, 
Tennessee; and Ms. Margaret Prater, Executive Director, 
Northwest Tennessee Workforce Board, Dyersburg, Tennessee.
    On July 8, 2011, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce 
Training, together with the House Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs, Stimulus 
Oversight, and Government Spending, held a hearing in 
Washington, D.C., on ``The Gainful Employment Regulation: 
Limiting Job Growth and Student Choice.'' The purpose of the 
hearing was to explore the harmful consequences of the gainful 
employment regulation issued by the U.S. Department of 
Education. Testifying before the subcommittees were Dr. Dario 
A. Cortes, President, Berkeley College, New York City, New 
York; Dr. Anthony P. Carnevale, Director, Georgetown University 
Center on Education and the Workforce, Washington, D.C.; Ms. 
Karla Carpenter, Graduate, Herzing University and Program 
Manager, Quest Software, Madison, Wisconsin; and Mr. Harry C. 
Alford, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Black 
Chamber of Commerce, Washington, D.C.
    On August 16, 2011, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce 
Training held a hearing in Greenville, South Carolina, on 
``Reviving Our Economy: The Role of Higher Education in Job 
Growth and Development.'' The purpose of the hearing was to 
highlight the work by local colleges and universities to 
respond to local and state economic needs. Testifying before 
the subcommittee were The Honorable Knox White, Mayor, City of 
Greenville, South Carolina; Mr. Werner Eikenbusch, Section 
Manager, Associate Development and Training, BMW Manufacturing 
Co., Spartanburg, South Carolina; Ms. Laura Harmon, Project 
Director, Greenville Works, Greenville, South Carolina; Dr. 
Brenda Thames, Vice President of Academic Development, 
Greenville Health System, Greenville, South Carolina; Mr. James 
F. Barker, President, Clemson University, Clemson, South 
Carolina; Dr. Thomas F. Moore, Chancellor, University of South 
Carolina Upstate, Spartanburg, South Carolina; Dr. Keith 
Miller, President, Greenville Technical College, Greenville, 
South Carolina; and Ms. Amy Hickman, Campus President, ECPI 
College of Technology, Greenville, South Carolina.
    On October 25, 2011, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce 
Training held a hearing in Washington, D.C., on ``Government-
Run Student Loans: Ensuring the Direct Loan Program is 
Accountable to Students and Taxpayers.'' The purpose of the 
hearing was to examine the switch to and implementation of the 
Direct Loan program. Testifying before the subcommittee were 
Mr. James W. Runcie, Chief Operating Officer, Office of Federal 
Student Aid, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C.; 
Mr. Ron H. Day, Director of Financial Aid, Kennesaw State 
University, Kennesaw, Georgia; Ms. Nancy Hoover, Director of 
Financial Aid, Denison University, Granville, Ohio; and Mr. 
Mark. A. Bandre, Vice President for Enrollment Management and 
Student Affairs, Baker University, Baldwin City, Kansas.
    On November 30, 2011, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce 
Training held a hearing in Washington, D.C., on ``Keeping 
College Within Reach: Discussing Ways Institutions Can 
Streamline Costs and Reduce Tuition.'' The purpose of the 
hearing was to highlight innovative practices institutions of 
higher education are implementing to reduce their costs to 
limit tuition increases for students. Testifying before the 
subcommittee were Ms. Jane V. Wellman, Executive Director, 
Delta Project on Postsecondary Costs, Productivity, and 
Accountability, Washington, D.C.; Dr. Ronald E. Manahan, 
President, Grace College and Seminary, Winona Lake, Indiana; 
Mr. Jamie P. Merisotis, President and Chief Executive Officer, 
Lumina Foundation for Education, Indianapolis, Indiana; and Mr. 
Tim Foster, President, Colorado Mesa University, Grand 
Junction, Colorado.

Legislative action--First session

    On February 17, 2011, the House of Representatives 
considered an amendment offered by Chairman John Kline (R-MN), 
Higher Education and Workforce Training Subcommittee Chairwoman 
Virginia Foxx (R-NC), and Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL) to H.R. 1, 
the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013. The amendment 
prohibited the use of funds by the U.S. Department of Education 
to implement and enforce the gainful employment regulation. The 
amendment was agreed to by a bipartisan vote of 289 to 136.
    On February 19, 2011, the House of Representatives passed 
H.R. 1 by a vote of 235 to 189. The amendment was not included 
in the bill at final passage.
    On June 3, 2011, Chairman John Kline (R-MN) and Higher 
Education and Workforce Training Subcommittee Chairwoman 
Virginia Foxx (R-NC) introduced H.R. 2117, the Protecting 
Academic Freedom in Higher Education Act. The bill repealed the 
state authorization regulation, one piece of the credit hour 
regulation, and prohibited the secretary of education from 
defining credit hour for any purpose under the Higher Education 
Act of 1965.
    On June 15, 2011, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce considered H.R. 2117 in legislative session and 
reported it favorably, as amended, to the House of 
Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 27 to 11.
    The committee considered and adopted the following 
amendment to H.R. 2117:
           Subcommittee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) 
        offered an amendment in the nature of a substitute to 
        add a short title to the legislation. The amendment was 
        adopted by voice vote.
    The committee further considered the following amendments 
to H.R. 2117, which were not adopted:
           Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) offered an 
        amendment to maintain pieces of the state authorization 
        regulation, including the complaint process. The 
        amendment failed by a vote of 17 to 22.
           Ranking Member George Miller (D-CA) offered 
        an amendment to prohibit implementation until the U.S. 
        Department of Education Inspector General certifies 
        there are equal or greater protections in place related 
        to program integrity under Title IV of the Higher 
        Education Act of 1965. The amendment failed by a vote 
        of 17 to 22.
           Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) offered an amendment 
        to stipulate the act will be effective only if the 
        maximum Pell Grant award is at least $5,550 for the 
        2012-2013 school year. The amendment was ruled out of 
        order.
           Rep. Tim Bishop (D-NY) offered an amendment 
        to strike the repeal of the credit hour regulation that 
        establishes a federal definition of a ``credit hour.'' 
        The amendment failed by a vote of 11 to 27.
           Rep. Tim Bishop (D-NY) offered an amendment 
        to strike the prohibition on the secretary of education 
        from defining credit hour in the future. The amendment 
        failed by a vote of 16 to 22.

Hearings--Second session

    On July 18, 2012, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce 
Training held a hearing in Washington, D.C., on ``Keeping 
College Within Reach: Exploring State Efforts to Curb Costs.'' 
The purpose of the hearing was to highlight innovative 
practices at the state level to assist postsecondary 
institutions in keeping costs affordable and to promote 
accountability of public funds. Testifying before the 
subcommittee were Mr. Scott Pattison, Executive Director, 
National Association of State Budget Officers, Washington, 
D.C.; Ms. Teresa Lubbers, Commissioner for Higher Education, 
State of Indiana, Indianapolis, Indiana; Mr. Stan Jones, 
President, Complete College America, Zionsville, Indiana; and 
Dr. Joe May, President, Louisiana Community and Technical 
College System, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
    On September 20, 2012, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce 
Training held a hearing in Washington, D.C., on ``Assessing 
College Data: Helping to Provide Valuable Information to 
Students, Institutions, and Taxpayers.'' The purpose of the 
hearing was to examine data collected by the federal government 
from institutions of higher education, including data 
requirements established during the last reauthorization of the 
Higher Education Act. Testifying before the subcommittee were 
Dr. Mark Schneider, Vice President, American Institutes for 
Research, Washington, D.C.; Dr. James Hallmark, Vice Chancellor 
for Academic Affairs, Texas A&M System, College Station, Texas; 
Dr. Jose Cruz, Vice President for Higher Education Policy and 
Practice, The Education Trust, Washington, D.C.; and Dr. Tracy 
Fitzsimmons, President, Shenandoah University, Winchester, 
Virginia.

Legislative action--Second session

    On February 28, 2012, the House of Representatives passed 
H.R. 2117 by a bipartisan vote of 303 to 114. The bill was sent 
to the Senate and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions.
    On April 25, 2012, Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL) introduced H.R. 
4628, the Interest Rate Reduction Act. The bill reduced the 
interest rate on subsidized Stafford loans made to 
undergraduate students from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent for one 
year, from July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2013. To offset the 
increase in mandatory spending, the bill repealed the 
Prevention and Public Health Fund authorized under Section 4002 
of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and rescinded 
the balance of unobligated monies made available for the fund.
    On April 27, 2012, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 
4628 by a vote of 215 to 195.
    While H.R. 4628 was never considered by the Senate, its 
provisions were included in the Conference Report for H.R. 
4348, the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act 
(MAP-21), sponsored by Rep. John Mica (R-FL). To partially 
offset the increase in mandatory spending that resulted from 
the temporary reduction in interest rates on subsidized 
Stafford loans, the bill permanently restricted the period of 
eligibility to borrow subsidized Stafford loans to 150 percent 
of the published length of a student's educational program.
    On June 29, 2012, the House of Representatives passed the 
Conference Report to H.R. 4348 by a bipartisan vote of 373 to 
52.
    On June 29, 2012, the Senate passed the Conference Report 
to H.R. 4348 by a bipartisan vote of 74 to 19.
    On July 6, 2012, the President of the United States signed 
H.R. 4348 into law (P.L. 112-141).

                             113TH CONGRESS

Hearings--First session

    On March 13, 2013, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce held a hearing in Washington, D.C., on ``Keeping 
College Within Reach: Examining Opportunities to Strengthen 
Federal Student Loan Programs.'' The purpose of the hearing was 
to examine ways to strengthen federal student loans, as well as 
how moving to a market-based or variable interest rate on all 
federal student loans could benefit both students and 
taxpayers. Testifying before the committee were Dr. Deborah J. 
Lucas, Sloan Distinguished Professor of Finance, Massachusetts 
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Mr. Jason 
Delisle, Director, Federal Education Budget Project, The New 
America Foundation, Washington, D.C.; Mr. Justin Draeger, 
President and Chief Executive Officer, National Association of 
Student Financial Aid Administrators, Washington, D.C.; and Dr. 
Charmaine Mercer, Vice President of Policy, Alliance for 
Excellent Education, Washington, D.C.
    On April 9, 2013, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce 
Training held a hearing in Monroe, Michigan, entitled 
``Reviving Our Economy: The Role of Higher Education in Job 
Growth and Development.'' The purpose of the hearing was to 
highlight work being done by local colleges and universities to 
respond to local and state economic needs. Testifying before 
the subcommittee were Mr. Henry Lievens, Commissioner, Monroe 
County, Monroe, Michigan; Ms. Lynette Dowler, Plant Director, 
Fossil Generation, DTE Energy, Detroit, Michigan; Ms. Susan 
Smith, Executive Director, Economic Development Partnership of 
Hillsdale County, Jonesville, Michigan; Mr. Dan Fairbanks, 
United Auto Workers International Representative, UAW-GM Skill 
Development and Training Department, Detroit, Michigan; Dr. 
David E. Nixon, President, Monroe County Community College, 
Monroe, Michigan; Sister Peg Albert, OP, Ph.D., President, 
Siena Heights University, Adrian, Michigan; Dr. Michelle 
Shields, Career Coach/Workforce Development Director, Jackson 
Community College, Jackson, Michigan; and Mr. Douglas A. Levy, 
Director of Financial Aid, Macomb Community College, Warren, 
Michigan.
    On April 16, 2013, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce 
Training held a hearing in Washington, D.C., entitled ``Keeping 
College Within Reach: The Role of Federal Student Aid 
Programs.'' The purpose of the hearing was to examine shifting 
the focus of federal student aid programs from enhancing access 
to improving student outcomes. Testifying before the 
subcommittee were Mr. Terry W. Hartle, Senior Vice President, 
Division of Government and Public Affairs, American Council on 
Education, Washington, D.C.; Ms. Moriah Miles, State Chair, 
Minnesota State University Student Association, Mankato, 
Minnesota; Ms. Patricia McGuire, President, Trinity Washington 
University, Washington, D.C.; and Mr. Dan Madzelan, Former 
Employee (Retired), U.S. Department of Education, University 
Park, Maryland.
    On April 24, 2013, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce held a 
hearing in Washington, D.C., entitled ``Keeping College Within 
Reach: Enhancing Transparency for Students, Families, and 
Taxpayers.'' The purpose of the hearing was to examine ways to 
improve the information provided by the federal government to 
inform students and families about their postsecondary 
education options. Testifying before the subcommittee were Dr. 
Donald E. Heller, Dean, College of Education, Michigan State 
University, East Lansing, Michigan; Mr. Alex Garrido, Student, 
Keiser University, Miami, Florida; Dr. Nicole Farmer Hurd, 
Founder and Executive Director, National College Advising 
Corps, Carrboro, North Carolina; and Mr. Travis Reindl, Program 
Director, Postsecondary Education, National Governors 
Association Center for Best Practices, Washington, D.C.
    On June 13, 2013, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce 
Training held a hearing in Washington, D.C., entitled ``Keeping 
College Within Reach: Discussing Program Quality through 
Accreditation.'' The purpose of the hearing was to examine the 
historical role of accreditation, discuss the role of regional 
and national accreditors in measuring institutional quality, 
and contemplate areas for reform. Testifying before the 
subcommittee were Dr. Elizabeth H. Sibolski, President, Middle 
States Commission on Higher Education, Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania; Dr. Michale McComis, Executive Director, 
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, 
Arlington, Virginia; Ms. Anne D. Neal, President, American 
Council of Trustees and Alumni, Washington, D.C.; and Mr. Kevin 
Carey, Director of the Education Policy Program, The New 
America Foundation, Washington, D.C.
    On July 9, 2013, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce held a hearing in Washington, D.C., entitled 
``Keeping College Within Reach: Improving Higher Education 
through Innovation.'' The purpose of the hearing was to 
highlight innovation in higher education occurring at the state 
and institutional level and in the private sector. Testifying 
before the committee were Mr. Scott Jenkins, Director of 
External Relations, Western Governors University, Salt Lake 
City, Utah; Dr. Pamela J. Tate, President and Chief Executive 
Officer, Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, Chicago, 
Illinois; Dr. Joann A. Boughman, Senior Vice Chancellor for 
Academic Affairs, University System of Maryland, Adelphi, 
Maryland; and Mr. Burck Smith, Chief Executive Officer and 
Founder, StraighterLine, Baltimore, Maryland.
    On September 11, 2013, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce 
Training held a hearing in Washington, D.C., entitled ``Keeping 
College Within Reach: Supporting Higher Education Opportunities 
for America's Servicemembers and Veterans.'' The purpose of the 
hearing was to examine the efforts of higher education to 
improve postsecondary education opportunities for 
servicemembers and veterans. Testifying before the subcommittee 
were Mrs. Kimrey W. Rhinehardt, Vice President for Federal and 
Military Affairs, The University of North Carolina, Chapel 
Hill, North Carolina; Dr. Arthur F. Kirk, Jr., President, Saint 
Leo University, Saint Leo, Florida; Dr. Russell S. Kitchner, 
Vice President for Regulatory and Governmental Relations, 
American Public University System, Charles Town, West Virginia; 
and Dr. Ken Sauer, Senior Associate Commissioner for Research 
and Academic Affairs, Indiana Commission for Higher Education, 
Indianapolis, Indiana.
    On September 18, 2013, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce 
Training held a hearing in Washington, D.C., entitled ``Keeping 
College Within Reach: Improving Access and Affordability 
through Innovative Partnerships.'' The purpose of the hearing 
was to examine the efforts of higher education institutions to 
expand access and reduce costs by partnering with local 
employers, other colleges, or online course providers. 
Testifying before the subcommittee were Dr. Jeffrey Docking, 
President, Adrian College, Adrian, Michigan; Ms. Paula R. 
Singer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Laureate Global 
Products and Services, Baltimore, Maryland; Dr. Rich Baraniuk, 
Professor, Rice University, and Founder, Connexions, Houston, 
Texas; and Dr. Charles Lee Isbell, Jr., Professor and Senior 
Associate Dean, College of Computing, Georgia Institute of 
Technology, Atlanta, Georgia.
    On November 13, 2013, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce held a hearing in Washington, D.C., entitled 
``Keeping College Within Reach: Simplifying Federal Student 
Aid.'' The purpose of the hearing was to examine the need to 
streamline, consolidate, and simplify federal student aid 
programs. Testifying before the committee were Ms. Kristin D. 
Conklin, Founding Partner, HCM Strategies, LLC, Washington, 
D.C.; Dr. Sandy Baum, Research Professor of Education Policy, 
George Washington University Graduate School of Education and 
Human Development, and Senior Fellow, Urban Institute, 
Washington, D.C.; Ms. Jennifer Mishory, J.D., Deputy Director, 
Young Invincibles, Washington, D.C.; and Mr. Jason Delisle, 
Director, Federal Education Budget Project, New America 
Foundation, Washington, D.C.
    On December 3, 2013, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce 
Training held a hearing in Washington, D.C., entitled ``Keeping 
College Within Reach: Strengthening Pell Grants for Future 
Generations.'' The purpose of the hearing was to examine Pell 
Grant program reform proposals to better target funds to the 
neediest students and put the program on a fiscally responsible 
and sustainable path. Testifying before the subcommittee were 
Mr. Justin Draeger, President and Chief Executive Officer, 
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, 
Washington, D.C.; Dr. Jenna Ashley Robinson, Director of 
Outreach, John W. Pope Center for Higher Education Policy, 
Raleigh, North Carolina; Mr. Michael Dannenberg, Director of 
Higher Education and Education Finance Policy, The Education 
Trust, Washington, D.C.; and Mr. Richard C. Heath, Director of 
Student Financial Services, Anne Arundel Community College, 
Arnold, Maryland.

Legislative action--First session

    On May 9, 2013, Chairman John Kline (R-MN) and Higher 
Education and Workforce Training Subcommittee Chairwoman 
Virginia Foxx (R-NC) introduced H.R. 1911, the Smarter 
Solutions for Students Act. The bill moved all federal student 
loans (except Perkins loans) to a market-based interest rate.
    On May 16, 2013, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce considered H.R. 1911 in legislative session and 
reported it favorably, as amended, to the House of 
Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 24 to 13.
    The committee considered and adopted the following 
amendment to H.R. 1911:
           Subcommittee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) 
        offered an amendment in the nature of a substitute to 
        make a technical change to the bill. The amendment was 
        adopted by voice vote.
    The committee further considered the following amendments 
to H.R. 1911, which were not adopted:
           Rep. Joe Heck (R-NV) offered an amendment to 
        allocate a portion of the savings generated under the 
        bill to Pell Grants. The amendment was withdrawn.
           Rep. Joe Heck (R-NV) offered an amendment to 
        provide the secretary of education with authority to 
        reduce the interest rate on student loans if a borrower 
        makes the first 48 payments on time. The amendment was 
        withdrawn.
           Rep. John Tierney (D-MA) offered an 
        amendment to set the federal student loan interest 
        rates at the same rate the Federal Reserve charges to 
        banks for two years. The amendment failed by a vote of 
        14 to 23.
           Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT) offered an 
        amendment to extend the 3.4 percent interest rate on 
        subsidized Stafford loans for two years. The amendment 
        failed by a vote of 15 to 21.
    On May 23, 2013, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 
1911 by a bipartisan vote of 221 to 198.
    On July 24, 2013, the Senate passed a substitute version of 
H.R. 1911, the Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act, by a 
bipartisan vote of 81 to 18. The legislation allowed student 
loan interest rates to reset once a year by the market, but 
lock into a fixed rate once the loan is disbursed to the 
student. Interest rates would be set using the following 
formulas:
           Undergraduate Stafford loans (subsidized and 
        unsubsidized): 10-year Treasury Note plus 2.05 percent, 
        capped at 8.25 percent.
           Graduate Stafford loans: 10-year Treasury 
        Note plus 3.6 percent, capped at 9.5 percent
           PLUS loans (graduate and parent): 10-year 
        Treasury Note plus 4.6 percent, capped at 10.5 percent.
    On July 31, 2013, the House of Representatives agreed to 
suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 
1911 by a bipartisan vote of 392 to 31.
    On August 9, 2013, the President of the United States 
signed H.R. 1911 into law (P.L. 113-28).
    On May 13, 2013, Rep. Luke Messer (R-IN) introduced H.R. 
1949, the Improving Postsecondary Education Data for Students 
Act. The bill directed the secretary of education to convene an 
Advisory Committee on Improving Postsecondary Education Data to 
conduct a study on the factors students and families want, 
need, and already consider when choosing a higher education 
institution.
    On May 16, 2013, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce considered H.R. 1949 in legislative session and 
reported it favorably, as amended, to the House of 
Representatives by a voice vote. The committee considered and 
adopted the following amendment to H.R. 1949:
           Rep. Luke Messer (R-IN) offered an amendment 
        in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 1949 to (1) 
        include individuals who represent undergraduate and 
        graduate education; college and career counselors at 
        secondary schools; experts in data policy, collection, 
        and use; and experts in labor markets on the list of 
        individuals required to be represented on the Advisory 
        Committee on Improving Postsecondary Education Data; 
        (2) ensure individuals on the advisory committee 
        represent economic, racial, and geographically diverse 
        populations; (3) require the advisory committee to 
        examine information related to the sources of financial 
        assistance, including federal student loans, as part of 
        the required aspects of the study; (4) require the 
        advisory committee to examine how information regarding 
        student outcomes should be disaggregated for first-
        generation students; and (5) provide other conforming 
        and technical changes to the bill. The amendment was 
        adopted by voice vote.
    On May 23, 2013, the House of Representatives agreed to 
suspend the rules and pass H.R. 1949 by voice vote. The bill 
was sent to the Senate and referred to the Senate Committee on 
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
    On July 10, 2013, Chairman John Kline (R-MN), Higher 
Education and Workforce Training Subcommittee Chairwoman 
Virginia Foxx (R-NC), and Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL) introduced 
H.R. 2637, the Supporting Academic Freedom through Regulatory 
Relief Act. The bill, which included the text of the Protecting 
Academic Freedom in Higher Education Act (H.R. 2117) and the 
Kline/Foxx/Hastings amendment to H.R. 1 from the 112th 
Congress, repealed the credit hour, state authorization, and 
gainful employment regulations and amended the statute to 
clarify the incentive compensation regulation. Additionally, 
the bill prohibited the U.S. Department of Education from 
issuing related regulations until after Congress reauthorizes 
the Higher Education Act.
    On July 24, 2013, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce considered H.R. 2637 in legislative session and 
reported it favorably, as amended, to the House of 
Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 22 to 13.
    The committee considered and adopted the following 
amendment to H.R. 2637:
           Subcommittee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) 
        offered an amendment in the nature of a substitute to 
        change a subsection title in the legislation. The 
        amendment was adopted by voice vote.
    The committee further considered the following amendment to 
H.R. 2637, which was not adopted:
           Rep. Tim Bishop (D-NY) offered an amendment 
        to strike the prohibition on the U.S. Department of 
        Education from issuing regulations related to state 
        authorization, gainful employment, and credit hour. The 
        amendment failed by a vote of 13 to 22.

Hearings--Second session

    On January 28, 2014, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce 
Training held a hearing in Washington, D.C., entitled ``Keeping 
College Within Reach: Sharing Best Practices for Serving Low-
Income and First Generation Students.'' The purpose of the 
hearing was to highlight best practices at institutions of 
higher education for serving low-income and first generation 
students. Testifying before the subcommittee were Dr. James 
Anderson, Chancellor, Fayetteville State University, 
Fayetteville, North Carolina; Mrs. Mary Beth Del Balzo, Senior 
Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, The 
College of Westchester, White Plains, New York; Mr. Josse Alex 
Garrido, Graduate Student, University of Texas--Pan American, 
Edinburg, Texas; and Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, President, 
DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois.
    On February 27, 2013, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and 
Secondary Education and Subcommittee on Higher Education and 
Workforce Training held a joint hearing in Washington, D.C., 
entitled ``Exploring Efforts to Strengthen the Teaching 
Profession.'' The purpose of the hearing was to discuss the 
state of teacher preparation nationwide. Testifying before the 
subcommittees were Dr. Deborah A. Gist, Commissioner, Rhode 
Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 
Providence, Rhode Island; Dr. Marcy Singer-Gabella, Professor 
of the Practice of Education, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, 
Tennessee; Dr. Heather Peske, Associate Commissioner for 
Educator Quality, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and 
Secondary Education, Malden, Massachusetts; and Ms. Christina 
Hall, Co-Founder and Co-Director, Urban Teacher Center, 
Baltimore, Maryland.
    On March 12, 2014, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce 
Training held a hearing in Washington, D.C., entitled 
``Examining the Mismanagement of the Student Loan 
Rehabilitation Process.'' The purpose of the hearing was to 
examine the U.S. Department of Education's ability to oversee 
the processing of rehabilitated loans issued under the Direct 
Loan program. Testifying before the subcommittee were Ms. 
Melissa Emrey-Arras, Director of Education, Workforce, and 
Income Security Issues, U.S. Government Accountability Office, 
Boston, Massachusetts; The Honorable Kathleen Tighe, Inspector 
General, Department of Education, Washington, D.C.; Mr. James 
Runcie, Chief Operating Officer, Federal Student Aid, U.S. 
Department of Education, Washington, D.C.; and Ms. Peg Julius, 
Executive Director of Enrollment Management, Kirkwood Community 
College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
    On March 20, 2014, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce held a hearing in Mesa, Arizona, entitled ``Reviving 
our Economy: Supporting a 21st Century Workforce.'' The purpose 
of the hearing was to explore the role of local higher 
education institutions in fostering job creation and growth 
through innovative partnerships with the business community and 
new modes of teaching delivery. Testifying before the committee 
were The Honorable Rick Heumann, Vice Mayor, City of Chandler, 
Arizona; Ms. Cathleen Barton, Education Manager, Intel 
Corporate Affairs, Southwestern United States, Intel 
Corporation, Chandler, Arizona; Mr. Lee D. Lambert, J.D., 
Chancellor, Pima Community College, Tucson, Arizona; Dr. 
William Pepicello, President, University of Phoenix, Tempe, 
Arizona; Dr. Michael Crow, President, Arizona State University, 
Tempe, Arizona; Dr. Ann Weaver Hart, President, The University 
of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona; Dr. Ernest A. Lara, President, 
Estrella Mountain Community College, Avondale, Arizona; and Ms. 
Christy Farley, Vice President of Government Affairs and 
Business Partnerships, Northern Arizona University, Phoenix, 
Arizona.
    On April 2, 2014, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce held a hearing in Washington, D.C., entitled 
``Keeping College Within Reach: Meeting the Needs of 
Contemporary Students.'' The purpose of the hearing was to 
examine how institutions, states, and other entities assist 
contemporary college students in accessing and completing 
postsecondary education. Testifying before the committee were 
Dr. George A. Pruitt, President, Thomas Edison State College, 
Trenton, New Jersey; Dr. Kevin Gilligan, Chairman and Chief 
Executive Officer, Capella Education Company, Minneapolis, 
Minnesota; Mr. David Moldoff, Chief Executive Officer and 
Founder, AcademyOne, Inc., West Chester, Pennsylvania; Dr. 
Joann A. Boughman, Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, 
University System of Maryland, Adelphi, Maryland; Mr. Stan 
Jones, President, Complete College America, Indianapolis, 
Indiana; and Dr. Brooks A. Keel, President, Georgia Southern 
University, Statesboro, Georgia.

Legislative action--Second session

    On September 19, 2013, Rep. Matt Salmon (R-AZ), Rep. Susan 
Brooks (R-IN), and Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) introduced H.R. 
3136, the Advancing Competency-Based Education Demonstration 
Project Act of 2013. The bill directs the secretary of 
education to select institutions or consortia of institutions 
for voluntary participation in competency-based education 
demonstration projects that provide participating entities with 
the ability to offer competency-based education programs that 
do not meet certain statutory and regulatory requirements which 
would otherwise prevent them from participating in federal 
student aid programs.
    On July 10, 2014, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce considered H.R. 3136 in legislative session and 
reported it favorably, as amended, to the House of 
Representatives by a voice vote. The committee considered and 
adopted the following amendment to H.R. 3136:
           Rep. Matt Salmon (R-AZ) and Rep. Jared Polis 
        (D-CO) offered an amendment in the nature of a 
        substitute to add certain requirements to the 
        applications to participate in a competency-based 
        education project, allow eligible entities to submit 
        amendments to their previously-approved applications, 
        set requirements for the entities the secretary must 
        choose to participate in the programs, require 
        institutions to provide student information to the 
        director of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), 
        require the director of IES to annually evaluate each 
        project and provide a report with specified information 
        to the authorizing committees, authorize funds to be 
        available from the amount appropriated for salaries and 
        expenses of the Department of Education, and make 
        conforming and technical changes to the introduced 
        bill. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.
    The committee further considered the following amendment to 
H.R. 2637, which was not adopted:
           Rep. Tierney (D-MA) offered an amendment 
        that would allow students with federal student loans 
        and private student loans issued prior to 2013 to 
        refinance those loans into new federal loans at the 
        interest rate set for the 2013-2014 academic year. The 
        amendment was ruled non-germane. Rep. George Miller (D-
        CA) appealed the ruling of the chair. Rep. Glenn 
        Thompson (R-PA) offered a motion to table the appeal of 
        the ruling of the chair, which was adopted by a vote of 
        22 to 16.
    On June 26, 2014, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Rep. Luke 
Messer (R-IN) introduced H.R. 4983, the Strengthening 
Transparency in Higher Education Act. The bill simplifies and 
streamlines the information made publicly available by the 
Secretary of Education regarding institutions of higher 
education.
    On July 10, 2014, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce considered H.R. 4983 in legislative session and 
reported it favorably, as amended, to the House of 
Representatives by a voice vote. The committee considered and 
adopted the following amendment to H.R. 4983:
           Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) offered an 
        amendment in the nature of a substitute to require 
        additional information on the College Dashboard, 
        require the secretary of education to conduct consumer 
        testing in consultation with appropriate federal 
        departments and agencies, ensure consumer testing 
        addresses whether the College Dashboard provides useful 
        and relevant information to students and families, 
        require the secretary of education to submit to the 
        authorizing committees recommendations based on the 
        results of consumer testing, set new minimum 
        requirements for net price calculators, require funding 
        to come from funds already appropriated to maintain the 
        College Navigator, and make other conforming and 
        technical changes. The amendment was adopted by voice 
        vote.
    The committee further considered the following amendment to 
H.R. 4983, which was not adopted:
           Rep. George Miller (D-CA) offered an 
        amendment that would require the commissioner of 
        education statistics to establish a formula for 
        determining the percentage of student borrowers who 
        have completed their course of study and who are in 
        repayment or in an authorized deferment period at 
        three, five and 10 years after completion of a program 
        of study. The amendment failed by a vote of 13 to 21.
    On June 26, 2014, Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Rep. 
Richard Hudson (R-NC) introduced H.R. 4984, the Empowering 
Students through Enhanced Financial Counseling Act. The bill 
amends the loan counseling requirements under the Higher 
Education Act and requires counseling for Federal Pell Grant 
recipients.
    On July 10, 2014, the Committee on Education and the 
Workforce considered H.R. 4984 in legislative session and 
reported it favorably, as amended, to the House of 
Representatives by voice vote. The committee considered and 
adopted the following amendment to H.R. 4984:
           Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Rep. Suzanne 
        Bonamici (D-OR) offered an amendment in the nature of a 
        substitute to remove the requirement that annual 
        counseling for Pell Grant recipients be tied to 
        disbursement of the grant, require additional 
        information be disclosed to borrowers during annual 
        counseling and exit counseling sessions, require 
        institutions to provide annual counseling to borrowers 
        receiving Parent PLUS loans, require any funds used to 
        carry out the act to come from funds already 
        appropriated to maintain the Financial Awareness 
        Counseling Tool, and make conforming and technical 
        changes. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.
    The committee further considered the following amendment to 
H.R. 4984, which was not adopted:
           Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA) offered an amendment 
        to modify the rule requiring for-profit colleges to 
        receive at least 10 percent of their revenue from 
        sources other than the Department of Education to 
        remain eligible for federal student aid to include all 
        federal aid, including veterans' educational benefits 
        and some Workforce Investment Act funds, in the 90 
        percent portion of the calculation and only private 
        funds in the 10 percent portion of the calculation. The 
        amendment was ruled non-germane. Rep. George Miller (D-
        CA) appealed the ruling of the chair. Rep. Glenn 
        Thompson (R-PA) offered a motion to table the appeal of 
        the ruling of the chair, which was adopted by a vote of 
        20 to 13.

                                Summary

    The Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act 
would begin to streamline the overwhelming maze of consumer 
information about institutions of higher education provided to 
students and families by the federal government through a 
consumer-tested, internet-based ``College Dashboard'' website. 
The College Dashboard would provide students with key pieces of 
prominently displayed information on enrollment, completion, 
net price, and average loan debt. The College Dashboard also 
would provide wage data collected by the Bureau of Labor 
Statistics and a link to campus safety information. The College 
Dashboard would provide consumers with additional disaggregated 
enrollment and completion information on key populations of 
students.
    The secretary of education is currently only required to 
publish information regarding first-time students who attend 
classes full-time, ignoring the majority of the current college 
population. To ensure the federal government provides a more 
complete picture of the higher education landscape, the 
legislation would require the commissioner of education 
statistics to ensure completion data is reflective of all 
students, both traditional and contemporary students alike. 
Additionally, the legislation would allow students to easily 
compare institutions as they make their college decisions and 
would require the secretary of education to provide a link to 
the College Dashboard page for each institution listed on a 
student's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) 
form. To avoid duplication and reduce confusion for students, 
the legislation directs the secretary of education to 
coordinate with other federal agencies to ensure all published 
higher education data is consistent with information available 
on the College Dashboard.
    The legislation improves existing institutional net price 
calculators to ensure students are able to find easily the 
calculators and to understand information provided by the 
calculators. Calculators must now be clearly labeled as a net 
price calculator, and they must be prominently, clearly, and 
conspicuously posted on institution's website where other 
information on costs and student aid is available. Calculators 
must provide information on net price, cost of attendance, 
available grant aid, and veterans' educational benefits. The 
legislation would prohibit any personally identifiable 
information provided by users on institutional net price 
calculators from being sold or made available to third parties.

                            Committee Views


Introduction

    Selecting a college or university is a personal decision 
for students and their families. To assist them, the federal 
government has taken steps in recent years to improve data 
collection and transparency in higher education. The Higher 
Education Opportunity Act, the 2008 reauthorization of the 
Higher Education Act (HEA), required colleges and universities 
to make information about price, financial aid, and basic facts 
and figures, such as student demographics and graduation rates, 
readily available to the public. There also are numerous other 
federal transparency initiatives currently available to 
students and their families, both authorized under the HEA and 
created by various federal entities. However, instead of 
providing clarity, these initiatives often add more confusion 
by presenting conflicting or redundant information with limited 
opportunity to compare different education options. To further 
complicate matters, available data does not include a large 
portion of the current college-going population or capture all 
crucial information students and families need to view and 
understand the entire landscape of higher education.
    Despite attempts by the federal government to improve data 
collection and transparency in the higher education system, 
students and families still struggle to access and understand 
information helpful in selecting the right postsecondary 
institution for their unique situations. Meanwhile, higher 
education leaders have raised concerns about the overwhelming 
amount of federal data and reporting requirements, some of 
which are duplicative of state and local efforts and may 
partially contribute to the increase in college costs.

Ensuring straightforward and useful college data

    To help provide students and families with the information 
they need to make smart decisions about their higher education 
options, Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce 
Training Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Rep. Luke Messer 
(R-IN) introduced H.R. 4983, the Strengthening Transparency in 
Higher Education Act. The legislation would streamline the 
majority of federal transparency initiatives authorized under 
the HEA into one consumer-tested College Dashboard website that 
would prominently display the key pieces of information 
students need when deciding which school to attend.
    During an April 24, 2013, hearing entitled ``Keeping 
College Within Reach: Enhancing Transparency for Students, 
Families, and Taxpayers,'' the Subcommittee on Higher Education 
and Workforce Training explored opportunities to streamline and 
improve higher education data for students. At the hearing, Mr. 
Travis Reindl, program director for the education division at 
the National Governors Association, urged Congress to take up 
such an effort:

          Simpler and clearer should be a goal for federal 
        efforts. The upcoming reauthorization of the Higher 
        Education Act provides a prime opportunity for the 
        [sic] Congress to review all of the existing 
        dashboards, report cards, and data tools for 
        postsecondary education to determine whether and how 
        they are being used and if there are opportunities for 
        streamlining or consolidation.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\http://edworkforce.house.gov/calendar/
eventsingle.aspx?EventID=308347.

    Recognizing the reauthorization of the HEA as an 
opportunity for the committee to re-evaluate the usefulness of 
some federal transparency initiatives and data collections, 
H.R. 4983 repeals the College Navigator, the College 
Affordability and Transparency Lists, the State Higher 
Education Spending Chart, and the Multi-year Tuition 
Calculator. Under the bill, the secretary would no longer be 
required to collect and publish information on institutions a 
student could easily find on the institution's website, such as 
institutional mission, average college admission test scores, 
percentage of students accepted each year, number of degrees 
awarded, and most popular majors offered. Instead, H.R. 4983 
would create a streamlined and consumer-tested College 
Dashboard that prominently displays only the crucial data 
points on each institution that students and families need to 
begin to make an informed decision, such as the size and type 
of the institution, the net price to attend, the average 
federal student loan debt of a borrower upon graduation, and 
the completion rates of students who attend the institution. 
Additionally, the legislation would ensure the College 
Dashboard allows students to easily compare this information 
for different institutions.
    The committee appreciates the value of the various non-
federal efforts available to students that provide consumer 
information, for example the College Portrait, which was 
created as a part of Voluntary System of Accountability 
developed by the Association of Public and Land-grant 
Universities and the American Association of State Colleges, 
and the University & College Accountability Network (U-CAN), 
which was created by the National Association of Independent 
Colleges and Universities. The committee continues to believe 
institutions of higher education are an important resource for 
providing current and potential students with information they 
need and want to know, and they should continue to provide 
students relevant information through efforts like those 
described above and on the individual websites.
    The committee notes there are a number of federal agencies 
in addition to the U.S. Department of Education that collect 
and publicly report information on colleges and universities, 
including, but not limited to, the U.S. Department of Veterans 
Affairs, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the Consumer 
Financial Protection Bureau. To avoid duplication and reduce 
confusion for students, H.R. 4983 directs the secretary of 
education to coordinate with these other federal agencies to 
ensure all published higher education data is consistent with 
information available on the College Dashboard.

Making higher education data relevant for contemporary students

    Over the last 10 years, the dynamics of higher education 
have shifted dramatically. According to the National Center for 
Education Statistics (NCES), non-traditional or contemporary 
students now comprise a majority of all undergraduates. This 
trend is expected to continue in the coming years; in fact, 
NCES expects enrollments of students older than 25 will rise by 
20 percent between 2010 and 2020.\2\ Despite their growing 
majority, these contemporary students are largely ignored in 
the current higher education data collection efforts. Under 
current law, the secretary of education is only required to 
publish information regarding first-time students who attend 
classes full-time, generally leaving out those students who are 
older and have families or jobs and who often go to school 
part-time or have previous college experience. To ensure the 
federal government provides a complete picture of the higher 
education landscape, the Strengthening Transparency in Higher 
Education Act would require the commissioner of education 
statistics to ensure completion data is reflective all of 
students, both traditional and contemporary students. H.R. 4983 
also would require the publishing of information on the cost 
per credit hour, or the credit hour equivalency, on the College 
Dashboard, so students who attend school less than full-time 
would now be able to have a more relevant cost estimate.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \2\http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=98.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The committee appreciates the effort by the higher 
education community to create better and more comprehensive 
completion metrics that include a larger percentage of the 
current college-going population. Particularly, the committee 
believes the Student Achievement Measure\3\ and the efforts of 
the Committee on Measures for Student Success provide a good 
foundation for the commissioner's development of more robust 
completion metrics. The committee expects the commissioner 
would consult these entities and others during the development 
of the metrics.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \3\http://www.studentachievementmeasure.org/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    For students and families to know more about a particular 
institution, the College Dashboard, on subsequent pages linked 
to the main page, would provide consumers with additional 
disaggregated enrollment and completion information on key 
populations of students. For the first time, institutions would 
be required to report on the completion by Pell Grant 
recipients as well as borrowers of both subsidized and 
unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford loans. In the last year 
alone, the federal government spent more than $135 billion on 
federal student aid,\4\ yet we have no data on whether these 
dollars are actually helping students graduate. H.R. 4983 would 
begin to help not only students and families, but also 
taxpayers and policymakers understand the impact of federal 
student aid dollars.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \4\Trends in Student Aid, The CollegeBoard, 2013, available at 
http://trends.collegeboard.org/sites/default/files/student-aid-2013-
full-report-140108.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    In recent years, states, researchers, business leaders, and 
members of Congress also have discussed the possibility of 
reporting the salaries of college graduates from public and 
private universities. However, the committee is concerned the 
reporting of post-graduation earnings data currently is not 
feasible for institutions and would place an enormous burden on 
institutions if required to do so. Additionally, the committee 
has significant concerns about the implications on student 
privacy of requiring this type of data collection. Furthermore, 
the committee believes earnings data alone is not necessarily 
an appropriate measure by which students and families can 
assess the value of an institution. At the April 24, 2013, 
Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training hearing 
entitled ``Keeping College Within Reach: Enhancing Transparency 
for Students, Families, and Taxpayers,'' Dr. Donald Heller, 
dean of the college of education at Michigan State University, 
noted the potential complications with relying solely on post-
graduation earnings to determine the value of a college or 
university:

          While there are important vocational training 
        components of many postsecondary programs, a college 
        education--whether it is one that leads to a bachelor's 
        degree or not--confers returns to the individual and 
        society that cannot be valued only by the simple 
        measurement of an individual's wages in her first job 
        after college.

    However, as college costs continue to increase, the 
committee recognizes the importance of giving potential 
students a picture of the type of return they can expect on 
their investment in higher education. H.R. 4983 requires the 
secretary of education to provide a link to data from the 
Bureau of Labor Statistics on national and regional starting 
salaries for each occupation on each institution's College 
Dashboard page. The committee believes the Department of 
Labor's Career One Stop website (http://www.careeronestop.org/
SalariesBenefits/Sal--default.aspx) displays this information 
in a way that students and families can easily understand, and 
the committee suggests using this link on the College 
Dashboard. This information would allow students to see what 
they could potentially earn in a particular occupation and then 
to decide if those potential earnings match up to the cost of 
the institution under consideration.

Ensuring effective delivery of information to students and families

    The Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act 
would require the secretary of education, in consultation with 
other relevant agencies, to conduct consumer testing of the 
College Dashboard with relevant stakeholders, such as current 
and prospective college students, family members of students, 
institutions of higher education, and higher education experts, 
to ensure information on the dashboard is presented in the most 
user-friendly manner possible to assist students and families 
searching for the institution of higher education that best 
fits their unique needs. Based on the consumer testing, the 
secretary of education would be required to report to Congress 
any recommendations for needed changes to the information 
required to be provided on the College Dashboard.
    Despite the deluge of federal resources available, when 
interviewed, students and families often cite different areas 
and modes of research than what policymakers in Washington 
believe they should be examining. Students often rely on 
information from friends, family, or directly from 
institutions, or they simply choose the school closest to their 
homes. More often than not, students and families rely on 
information based on personalized effects, rather than 
empirical information provided by the federal government. At 
the April 24, 2013, Subcommittee on Higher Education and 
Workforce Training hearing, Mr. Alexander Garrido, a student at 
Keiser University in Miami, Florida, stated, ``I was not aware 
of any navigation tools from the Department of Education, which 
was why my decision was based mostly on my visit and the 
support of my friends and family.''\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \5\http://edworkforce.house.gov/calendar/
eventsingle.aspx?EventID=330710.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Recognizing many students are simply unaware of the 
resources provided by the federal government to assist in their 
college search, H.R. 4983 instructs the secretary of education 
to provide a link to the College Dashboard page for each 
institution listed on a student's FAFSA form. This would ensure 
students are provided with the information they need to make 
knowledgeable decisions about college options at the time they 
are actually making those decisions.
    At the same hearing, Dr. Donald Heller summarized the 
current task before policymakers:

          [T]he Internet has greatly helped to democratize 
        access to information. What it has not done as 
        successfully, however, has been to help people get 
        access to the right information to meet their needs. 
        And it is critical that we help prospective students to 
        get the right information in their hands at the 
        necessary times.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \6\Ibid.

    Students and families may be deterred from using federal 
transparency resources for a variety of reasons, including 
their exceptional length or complicated and inconsistent 
delivery of information. The Strengthening Transparency in 
Higher Education Act would ensure the information required to 
be provided by the U.S. Department of Education is not only 
helpful information, but also that it is easily understood and 
provided to students at the appropriate time.

Conclusion

    With over 6,000 public, private, non-profit, and 
proprietary institutions of higher education, the American 
higher education system affords students from all backgrounds 
opportunities to find the institutions that meet their unique 
needs. The Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act 
would take an important step toward strengthening our higher 
education system by improving transparency and ensuring all 
students and families have access to the information they need 
to make the best decisions about their education.

                      Section-by-Section Analysis


Section 1. Short title

    States the short title is the Strengthening Transparency in 
Higher Education Act.

Section 2. College Dashboard website

    Amends section 132 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to 
ensure published transparency data includes information about 
more than just first-time students and repeals the College 
Navigator, the College Affordability and Transparency Lists, 
the State Higher Education Spending Chart, and the Multi-year 
Tuition Calculator required under section 132.
    Directs the secretary of education to develop and make 
publicly available a ``College Dashboard'' website that 
includes information on enrollment, completion, cost, financial 
aid, and faculty listed in simple and understandable terms for 
each institution of higher education that participates in a 
program under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
    Directs the secretary of education to conduct consumer 
testing to ensure the College Dashboard is usable, easily 
understandable, and provides useful and relevant information to 
students and families. Requires the secretary of education to 
submit to the authorizing committees any recommendations based 
on the results of consumer testing for changing the information 
required to be provided on the College Dashboard.
    Requires the secretary of education to provide to each 
student submitting a FAFSA a link to the webpage of the College 
Dashboard website for each institution of higher education the 
student includes on the FAFSA.
    Directs the secretary of education to coordinate with other 
federal agencies to ensure all published higher education data 
is consistent with information available on the College 
Dashboard.

Section 3. Net price calculators

    Amends section 132 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to 
set minimum requirements for net price calculators regarding 
their design, placement on institutions' websites, and 
information required to be included.
    Prohibits any personally identifiable information provided 
by users on institutional net price calculators from being sold 
or made available to third parties.

Section 4. Funding

    Provides for $1,000,000 of the funds authorized to be 
appropriated to the U.S. Department of Education to maintain 
the College Navigator website to carry out this act, and 
specifies no additional funds are authorized to be appropriated 
by this act.

                       Explanation of Amendments

    The amendments, including the amendment in the nature of a 
substitute, are explained in the body of this report.

              Application of Law to the Legislative Branch

    Section 102(b)(3) of Public Law 104-1 requires a 
description of the application of this bill to the legislative 
branch. H.R. 4983 streamlines and improves the information made 
available by the secretary of education about institutions of 
higher education in order to help students and families make 
more informed decisions about postsecondary education options.

                       Unfunded Mandate Statement

    Section 423 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment 
Control Act (as amended by Section 101(a)(2) of the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act, P.L. 104-4) requires a statement of 
whether the provisions of the reported bill include unfunded 
mandates. This issue is addressed in the CBO letter.

                           Earmark Statement

    H.R. 4983 does not contain any congressional earmarks, 
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in 
clause 9 of House Rule XXI.

                            Roll Call Votes

    Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives requires the Committee Report to include for 
each record vote on a motion to report the measure or matter 
and on any amendments offered to the measure or matter the 
total number of votes for and against and the names of the 
Members voting for and against.

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

         Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives

    In accordance with clause (3)(c) of House rule XIII, the 
goal of H.R. 4983 is to streamline and improve the information 
made available by the secretary of education about institutions 
of higher education in order to help students and families make 
more informed decisions about postsecondary education options.

                    Duplication of Federal Programs

    No provision of H.R. 4983 establishes or reauthorizes a 
program of the Federal Government known to be duplicative of 
another Federal program, a program that was included in any 
report from the Government Accountability Office to Congress 
pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139, or a program 
related to a program identified in the most recent Catalog of 
Federal Domestic Assistance.

                  Disclosure of Directed Rule Makings

    The committee estimates that enacting H.R. 4983 does not 
specifically direct the completion of any specific rule makings 
within the meaning of 5 U.S.C. 551.

  Statement of Oversight Findings and Recommendations of the Committee

    In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause 
2(b)(1) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives, 
the committee's oversight findings and recommendations are 
reflected in the body of this report.

               New Budget Authority and CBO Cost Estimate

    With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(2) of rule 
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 
308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and with respect 
to requirements of clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives and section 402 of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the committee has received 
the following estimate for H.R. 4983 from the Director of the 
Congressional Budget Office:

                                     U.S. Congress,
                               Congressional Budget Office,
                                     Washington, DC, July 15, 2014.
Hon. John Kline,
Chairman, Committee on Education and the Workforce,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has 
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 4983, the 
Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act.
    If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be 
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Justin 
Humphrey.
            Sincerely,
                                              Douglas W. Elmendorf.
    Enclosure.

H.R. 4983--Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act

    H.R. 4983 would reserve $1 million from funding for the 
Department of Education to replace the current College 
Navigator website with a new website and change the type of 
information that the website would need to provide. The bill 
also would amend the requirements for the department's net-
price calculator, which provides details on the costs of post-
secondary education.
    CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 4983 would require $1 
million for administrative costs for the department over the 
2015-2019 period, assuming the availability of appropriated 
funds.
    Enacting the bill would not affect direct spending or 
revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
    H.R. 4983 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and 
would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments.
    The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Justin Humphrey. 
This estimate was approved by Peter H. Fontaine, Assistant 
Director for Budget Analysis.

                        Committee Cost Estimate

    Clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives requires an estimate and a comparison of the 
costs that would be incurred in carrying out H.R. 4983. 
However, clause 3(d)(2)(B) of that rule provides that this 
requirement does not apply when the committee has included in 
its report a timely submitted cost estimate of the bill 
prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office 
under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act.

         Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

  In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new 
matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is 
proposed is shown in roman):

HIGHER EDUCATION ACT OF 1965

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


TITLE I--GENERAL PROVISIONS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


PART C--COST OF HIGHER EDUCATION

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 131. IMPROVEMENTS IN MARKET INFORMATION AND PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY 
                    IN HIGHER EDUCATION.

  (a) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (h) No User Fees for Department Financial Aid Websites.--No 
fee shall be charged to any individual to access--
          (1) a database or website of the Department that 
        provides information about higher education programs or 
        student financial assistance, including the [College 
        Navigator] College Dashboard website (or successor 
        website) and the websites and databases described in 
        this section and section 132; or

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 132. TRANSPARENCY IN COLLEGE TUITION FOR CONSUMERS.

  (a) Definitions.--In this section:
          [(1) College navigator website.-- The term ``College 
        Navigator website'' means the College Navigator website 
        operated by the Department and includes any successor 
        website.]
          (1) College dashboard website.-- The term ``College 
        Dashboard website'' means the College Dashboard website 
        required under subsection (d).
          (2) Cost of attendance.-- The term ``cost of 
        attendance'' means the average annual cost of tuition 
        and fees, room and board, books, supplies, and 
        transportation for an institution of higher education 
        for a [first-time,] full-time undergraduate student 
        enrolled in the institution.
          (3) Net price.-- The term ``net price'' means the 
        average yearly price actually charged to [first-time,] 
        full-time undergraduate students receiving student aid 
        at an institution of higher education after deducting 
        such aid, which shall be determined by calculating the 
        difference between--
                  (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

          (4) Tuition and fees.-- The term ``tuition and fees'' 
        means the average annual cost of tuition and fees for 
        an institution of higher education for [first-time,] 
        full-time undergraduate students enrolled in the 
        institution.
  (b) Calculations for Public Institutions.--In making the 
calculations regarding cost of attendance, net price, and 
tuition and fees under this section with respect to a public 
institution of higher education, the Secretary shall calculate 
the cost of attendance, net price, and tuition and fees at such 
institution in the manner described in subsection (a), except 
that--
          (1) the cost of attendance, net price, and tuition 
        and fees shall be calculated for [first-time], full-
        time undergraduate students enrolled in the institution 
        who are residents of the State in which such 
        institution is located; and
          (2) in determining the net price, the average need-
        based grant aid and merit-based grant aid described in 
        subsection (a)(3)(B) shall be calculated based on the 
        average total amount of such aid received by [first-
        time], full-time undergraduate students who are 
        residents of the State in which such institution is 
        located, divided by the total number of such resident 
        students receiving such need-based grant aid or merit-
        based grant aid at such institution.
  [(c) College Affordability and Transparency Lists.--
          [(1) Availability of lists.-- Beginning July 1, 2011, 
        the Secretary shall make publicly available on the 
        College Navigator website, in a manner that is sortable 
        and searchable by State, the following:
                  [(A) A list of the five percent of 
                institutions in each category described in 
                subsection (d) that have the highest tuition 
                and fees for the most recent academic year for 
                which data are available.
                  [(B) A list of the five percent of 
                institutions in each such category that have 
                the highest net price for the most recent 
                academic year for which data are available.
                  [(C) A list of the five percent of 
                institutions in each such category that have 
                the largest increase, expressed as a percentage 
                change, in tuition and fees over the most 
                recent three academic years for which data are 
                available, using the first academic year of the 
                three-year period as the base year to compute 
                such percentage change.
                  [(D) A list of the five percent of 
                institutions in each such category that have 
                the largest increase, expressed as a percentage 
                change, in net price over the most recent three 
                academic years for which data are available, 
                using the first academic year of the three-year 
                period as the base year to compute such 
                percentage change.
                  [(E) A list of the ten percent of 
                institutions in each such category that have 
                the lowest tuition and fees for the most recent 
                academic year for which data are available.
                  [(F) A list of the ten percent of 
                institutions in each such category that have 
                the lowest net price for the most recent 
                academic year for which data are available.
          [(2) Annual updates.-- The Secretary shall annually 
        update the lists described in paragraph (1) on the 
        College Navigator website.
  [(d) Categories of Institutions.--The lists described in 
subsection (c)(1) shall be compiled according to the following 
categories of institutions that participate in programs under 
title IV:
          [(1) Four-year public institutions of higher 
        education.
          [(2) Four-year private, nonprofit institutions of 
        higher education.
          [(3) Four-year private, for-profit institutions of 
        higher education.
          [(4) Two-year public institutions of higher 
        education.
          [(5) Two-year private, nonprofit institutions of 
        higher education.
          [(6) Two-year private, for-profit institutions of 
        higher education.
          [(7) Less than two-year public institutions of higher 
        education.
          [(8) Less than two-year private, nonprofit 
        institutions of higher education.
          [(9) Less than two-year private, for-profit 
        institutions of higher education.
  [(e) Reports by Institutions.--
          [(1) Report to secretary.-- If an institution of 
        higher education is included on a list described in 
        subparagraph (C) or (D) of subsection (c)(1), the 
        institution shall submit to the Secretary a report 
        containing the following information:
                  [(A) A description of the major areas in the 
                institution's budget with the greatest cost 
                increases.
                  [(B) An explanation of the cost increases 
                described in subparagraph (A).
                  [(C) A description of the steps the 
                institution will take toward the goal of 
                reducing costs in the areas described in 
                subparagraph (A).
                  [(D) In the case of an institution that is 
                included on the same list under subparagraph 
                (C) or (D) of subsection (c)(1) for two or more 
                consecutive years, a description of the 
                progress made on the steps described in 
                subparagraph (C) of this paragraph that were 
                included in the institution's report for the 
                previous year.
                  [(E) If the determination of any cost 
                increase described in subparagraph (A) is not 
                within the exclusive control of the 
                institution--
                          [(i) an explanation of the extent to 
                        which the institution participates in 
                        determining such cost increase;
                          [(ii) the identification of the 
                        agency or instrumentality of State 
                        government responsible for determining 
                        such cost increase; and
                          [(iii) any other information the 
                        institution considers relevant to the 
                        report.
          [(2) Information to the public.-- The Secretary 
        shall--
                  [(A) issue an annual report that summarizes 
                all of the reports by institutions required 
                under paragraph (1) to the authorizing 
                committees; and
                  [(B) publish such report on the College 
                Navigator website.
  [(f) Exemptions.--
          [(1) In general.-- An institution shall not be placed 
        on a list described in subparagraph (C) or (D) of 
        subsection (c)(1), and shall not be subject to the 
        reporting required under subsection (e), if the dollar 
        amount of the institution's increase in tuition and 
        fees, or net price, as applicable, is less than $600 
        for the three-year period described in such 
        subparagraph.
          [(2) Update.-- Beginning in 2014, and every three 
        years thereafter, the Secretary shall update the dollar 
        amount described in paragraph (1) based on annual 
        increases in inflation, using the Consumer Price Index 
        for each of the three most recent preceding years.
  [(g) State Higher Education Spending Chart.--The Secretary 
shall annually report on the College Navigator website, in 
charts for each State, comparisons of--
          [(1) the percentage change in spending by such State 
        per full-time equivalent student at all public 
        institutions of higher education in such State, for 
        each of the five most recent preceding academic years;
          [(2) the percentage change in tuition and fees for 
        such students for all public institutions of higher 
        education in such State for each of the five most 
        recent preceding academic years; and
          [(3) the percentage change in the total amount of 
        need-based aid and merit-based aid provided by such 
        State to full-time students enrolled in the public 
        institutions of higher education in the State for each 
        of the five most recent preceding academic years.]
  [(h)] (c) Net Price Calculator.--
          (1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

          (4) Minimum requirements for net price calculators.-- 
        Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
        of the Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education 
        Act, a net price calculator for an institution of 
        higher education shall meet the following requirements:
                  (A) The link for the calculator shall--
                          (i) be clearly labeled as a net price 
                        calculator and prominently, clearly, 
                        and conspicuously posted in locations 
                        on the website of such institution 
                        where information on costs and aid is 
                        provided and any other location that 
                        the institution considers appropriate; 
                        and
                          (ii) match in size and font to the 
                        other prominent links on the webpage 
                        where the link for the calculator is 
                        displayed.
                  (B) The webpage displaying the results for 
                the calculator shall specify at least the 
                following information:
                          (i) The net price (as calculated 
                        under subsection (a)(2)) for such 
                        institution, which shall be the most 
                        visually prominent figure on the 
                        results screen.
                          (ii) Cost of attendance, including--
                                  (I) tuition and fees;
                                  (II) average annual cost of 
                                room and board for the 
                                institution for a full-time 
                                undergraduate student enrolled 
                                in the institution;
                                  (III) average annual cost of 
                                books and supplies for a full-
                                time undergraduate student 
                                enrolled in the institution; 
                                and
                                  (IV) estimated cost of other 
                                expenses (including personal 
                                expenses and transportation) 
                                for a full-time undergraduate 
                                student enrolled in the 
                                institution.
                          (iii) Estimated total need-based 
                        grant aid and merit-based grant aid 
                        from Federal, State, and institutional 
                        sources that may be available to a 
                        full-time undergraduate student.
                          (iv) Percentage of the full-time 
                        undergraduate students enrolled in the 
                        institution that received any type of 
                        grant aid described in clause (iii).
                          (v) The disclaimer described in 
                        paragraph (6).
                          (vi) In the case of a calculator 
                        that--
                                  (I) includes questions to 
                                estimate the eligibility of a 
                                student or prospective student 
                                for veterans' education 
                                benefits (as defined in section 
                                480) or educational benefits 
                                for active duty service 
                                members, such benefits are 
                                displayed on the results screen 
                                in a manner that clearly 
                                distinguishes such benefits 
                                from the grant aid described in 
                                clause (iii); or
                                  (II) does not include 
                                questions to estimate 
                                eligibility for the benefits 
                                described in subclause (I), the 
                                results screen indicates that 
                                certain students (or 
                                prospective students) may 
                                qualify for such benefits and 
                                includes a link to information 
                                about such benefits.
                  (C) The institution shall populate the 
                calculator with data from not later than 2 
                academic years prior to the most recent 
                academic year.
          (5) Prohibition on use of data collected by the net 
        price calculator.-- A net price calculator for an 
        institution of higher education shall--
                  (A) clearly indicate which questions are 
                required to be completed for an estimate of the 
                net price from the calculator;
                  (B) in the case of a calculator that requests 
                contact information from users, clearly mark 
                such requests as optional and provide for an 
                estimate of the net price from the calculator 
                without requiring users to enter such 
                information; and
                  (C) prohibit any personally identifiable 
                information provided by users from being sold 
                or made available to third parties.
          [(4)] (6) Disclaimer.-- Estimates of an individual 
        net price determined using a net price calculator 
        required under paragraph (3) shall be accompanied by a 
        clear and conspicuous notice--
                  (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  [ (i) Consumer Information.--
          [(1) Availability of title iv institution 
        information.-- Not later than one year after the date 
        of enactment of theHigher Education Opportunity Act, 
        the Secretary shall make publicly available on the 
        College Navigator website, in simple and understandable 
        terms, the following information about each institution 
        of higher education that participates in programs under 
        title IV, for the most recent academic year for which 
        satisfactory data are available:
                  [(A) A statement of the institution's 
                mission.
                  [(B) The total number of undergraduate 
                students who applied to, were admitted by, and 
                enrolled in the institution.
                  [(C) For institutions that require SAT or ACT 
                scores to be submitted, the reading, writing, 
                mathematics, and combined scores on the SAT or 
                ACT, as applicable, for the middle 50 percent 
                range of the institution's freshman class.
                  [(D) The number of first-time, full-time, and 
                part-time students enrolled at the institution, 
                at the undergraduate and (if applicable) 
                graduate levels.
                  [(E) The number of degree- or certificate-
                seeking undergraduate students enrolled at the 
                institution who have transferred from another 
                institution.
                  [(F) The percentages of male and female 
                undergraduate students enrolled at the 
                institution.
                  [(G) Of the first-time, full-time, degree- or 
                certificate-seeking undergraduate students 
                enrolled at the institution--
                          [(i) the percentage of such students 
                        who are from the State in which the 
                        institution is located;
                          [(ii) the percentage of such students 
                        who are from other States; and
                          [(iii) the percentage of such 
                        students who are international 
                        students.
                  [(H) The percentages of first-time, full-
                time, degree- or certificate-seeking students 
                enrolled at the institution, disaggregated by 
                race and ethnic background.
                  [(I) The percentage of undergraduate students 
                enrolled at the institution who are formally 
                registered with the office of disability 
                services of the institution (or the equivalent 
                office) as students with disabilities, except 
                that if such percentage is three percent or 
                less, the institution shall report ``three 
                percent or less''.
                  [(J) The percentages of first-time, full-
                time, degree- or certificate-seeking 
                undergraduate students enrolled at the 
                institution who obtain a degree or certificate 
                within--
                          [(i) the normal time for completion 
                        of, or graduation from, the student's 
                        program;
                          [(ii) 150 percent of the normal time 
                        for completion of, or graduation from, 
                        the student's program; and
                          [(iii) 200 percent of the normal time 
                        for completion of, or graduation from, 
                        the student's program;
                  [(K) The number of certificates, associate 
                degrees, baccalaureate degrees, master's 
                degrees, professional degrees, and doctoral 
                degrees awarded by the institution.
                  [(L) The undergraduate major areas of study 
                at the institution with the highest number of 
                degrees awarded.
                  [(M) The student-faculty ratio, the number of 
                full-time and part-time faculty, and the number 
                of graduate assistants with primarily 
                instructional responsibilities, at the 
                institution.
                  [(N)(i) The cost of attendance for first-
                time, full-time undergraduate students enrolled 
                in the institution who live on campus;
                  [(ii) the cost of attendance for first-time, 
                full-time undergraduate students enrolled in 
                the institution who live off campus; and
                  [(iii) in the case of a public institution of 
                higher education and notwithstanding subsection 
                (b)(1), the costs described in clauses (i) and 
                (ii), for--
                          [(I) first-time, full-time students 
                        enrolled in the institution who are 
                        residents of the State in which the 
                        institution is located; and
                          [(II) first-time, full-time students 
                        enrolled in the institution who are not 
                        residents of such State.
                  [(O) The average annual grant amount 
                (including Federal, State, and institutional 
                aid) awarded to a first-time, full-time 
                undergraduate student enrolled at the 
                institution who receives financial aid.
                  [(P) The average annual amount of Federal 
                student loans provided through the institution 
                to undergraduate students enrolled at the 
                institution.
                  [(Q) The total annual grant aid awarded to 
                undergraduate students enrolled at the 
                institution, from the Federal Government, a 
                State, the institution, and other sources known 
                by the institution.
                  [(R) The percentage of first-time, full-time 
                undergraduate students enrolled at the 
                institution receiving Federal, State, and 
                institutional grants, student loans, and any 
                other type of student financial assistance 
                known by the institution, provided publicly or 
                through the institution, such as Federal work-
                study funds.
                  [(S) The number of students enrolled at the 
                institution receiving Federal Pell Grants.
                  [(T) The institution's cohort default rate, 
                as defined under section 435(m).
                  [(U) The information on campus safety 
                required to be collected under section 485(i).
                  [(V) A link to the institution's website that 
                provides, in an easily accessible manner, the 
                following information:
                          [(i) Student activities offered by 
                        the institution.
                          [(ii) Services offered by the 
                        institution for individuals with 
                        disabilities.
                          [(iii) Career and placement services 
                        offered by the institution to students 
                        during and after enrollment.
                          [(iv) Policies of the institution 
                        related to transfer of credit from 
                        other institutions.
                  [(W) A link to the appropriate section of the 
                Bureau of Labor Statistics website that 
                provides information on regional data on 
                starting salaries in all major occupations.
                  [(X) Information required to be submitted 
                under paragraph (4) and a link to the 
                institution pricing summary page described in 
                paragraph (5).
                  [(Y) In the case of an institution that was 
                required to submit a report under subsection 
                (e)(1), a link to such report.
                  [(Z) The availability of alternative tuition 
                plans, which may include guaranteed tuition 
                plans.
          [(2) Annual updates.-- The Secretary shall annually 
        update the information described in paragraph (1) on 
        the College Navigator website.
          [(3) Consultation.-- The Secretary shall regularly 
        consult with current and prospective college students, 
        family members of such students, institutions of higher 
        education, and other experts to improve the usefulness 
        and relevance of the College Navigator website, with 
        respect to the presentation of the consumer information 
        collected in paragraph (1).
          [(4) Data collection.-- The Commissioner for 
        Education Statistics shall continue to update and 
        improve the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data 
        System (referred to in this section as ``IPEDS''), 
        including the reporting of information by institutions 
        and the timeliness of the data collected.
          [(5) Institution pricing summary page.--
                  [(A) Availability of list of participating 
                institutions.-- The Secretary shall make 
                publicly available on the College Navigator 
                website in a sortable and searchable format a 
                list of all institutions of higher education 
                that participate in programs under title IV, 
                which list shall, for each institution, include 
                the following:
                          [(i) The tuition and fees for each of 
                        the three most recent academic years 
                        for which data are available.
                          [(ii) The net price for each of the 
                        three most recent available academic 
                        years for which data are available.
                          [(iii)(I) During the period beginning 
                        July 1, 2010, and ending June 30, 2013, 
                        the net price for students receiving 
                        Federal student financial aid under 
                        title IV, disaggregated by the income 
                        categories described in paragraph (6), 
                        for the most recent academic year for 
                        which data are available.
                          [(II) Beginning July 1, 2013, the net 
                        price for students receiving Federal 
                        student financial aid under title IV, 
                        disaggregated by the income categories 
                        described in paragraph (6), for each of 
                        the three most recent academic years 
                        for which data are available.
                          [(iv) The average annual percentage 
                        change and average annual dollar change 
                        in such institution's tuition and fees 
                        for each of the three most recent 
                        academic years for which data are 
                        available.
                          [(v) The average annual percentage 
                        change and average annual dollar change 
                        in such institution's net price for 
                        each of the three most recent preceding 
                        academic years for which data are 
                        available.
                          [(vi) A link to the webpage on the 
                        College Navigator website that provides 
                        the information described in paragraph 
                        (1) for the institution.
                  [(B) Annual updates.-- The Secretary shall 
                annually update the lists described in 
                subparagraph (A) on the College Navigator 
                website.
          [(6) Income categories.--
                  [(A) In general.-- For purposes of reporting 
                the information required under this subsection, 
                the following income categories shall apply for 
                students who receive Federal student financial 
                aid under title IV:
                          [(i) $0-30,000.
                          [(ii) $30,001-48,000.
                          [(iii) $48,001-75,000.
                          [(iv) $75,001-110,000.
                          [(v) $110,001 and more.
                  [(B) Adjustment.-- The Secretary may adjust 
                the income categories listed in subparagraph 
                (A) using the Consumer Price Index if the 
                Secretary determines such adjustment is 
                necessary.]
  (d) Consumer Information.--
          (1) Availability of title iv institution 
        information.-- The Secretary shall develop and make 
        publicly available a website to be known as the 
        ``College Dashboard website'' in accordance with this 
        section and prominently display on such website, in 
        simple, understandable, and unbiased terms for the most 
        recent academic year for which satisfactory data are 
        available, the following information with respect to 
        each institution of higher education that participates 
        in a program under title IV:
                  (A) A link to the website of the institution.
                  (B) An identification of the type of 
                institution as one of the following:
                          (i) A four-year public institution of 
                        higher education.
                          (ii) A four-year private, nonprofit 
                        institution of higher education.
                          (iii) A four-year private, for-profit 
                        institution of higher education.
                          (iv) A two-year public institution of 
                        higher education.
                          (v) A two-year private, nonprofit 
                        institution of higher education.
                          (vi) A two-year private, for-profit 
                        institution of higher education.
                          (vii) A less than two-year public 
                        institution of higher education.
                          (viii) A less than two-year private, 
                        nonprofit institution of higher 
                        education.
                          (ix) A less than two-year private, 
                        for-profit institution of higher 
                        education.
                  (C) The number of students enrolled at the 
                institution--
                          (i) as undergraduate students; and
                          (ii) as graduate students, if 
                        applicable.
                  (D) The student-faculty ratio.
                  (E) The percentage of degree-seeking or 
                certificate-seeking undergraduate students 
                enrolled at the institution who obtain a degree 
                or certificate within--
                          (i) 100 percent of the normal time 
                        for completion of, or graduation from, 
                        the program in which the student is 
                        enrolled;
                          (ii) 150 percent of the normal time 
                        for completion of, or graduation from, 
                        the program in which the student is 
                        enrolled; and
                          (iii) 200 percent of the normal time 
                        for completion of, or graduation from, 
                        the program in which the student is 
                        enrolled.
                  (F) The average net price per year for 
                undergraduate students and a link to the net 
                price calculator for such institution.
                  (G) The average Federal student loan debt 
                incurred by an undergraduate student who has 
                obtained a certificate or degree from the 
                institution and who borrowed Federal student 
                loans in the course of obtaining such 
                certificate or degree.
                  (H) A link to national and regional data from 
                the Bureau of Labor Statistics on starting 
                salaries in all major occupations.
                  (I) A link to the webpage of the institution 
                containing campus safety data with respect to 
                such institution.
          (2) Additional information.-- The Secretary shall 
        publish on Internet webpages that are linked to through 
        the College Dashboard website for the most recent 
        academic year for which satisfactory data is available 
        the following information with respect to each 
        institution of higher education that participates in a 
        program under title IV:
                  (A) Enrollment.--
                          (i) The percentages of male and 
                        female undergraduate students enrolled 
                        at the institution.
                          (ii) The percentages of undergraduate 
                        students enrolled at the institution--
                                  (I) full-time; and
                                  (II) less than full-time.
                          (iii) Of the undergraduate students 
                        enrolled at the institution--
                                  (I) the percentage of such 
                                students who are from the State 
                                in which the institution is 
                                located;
                                  (II) the percentage of such 
                                students who are from other 
                                States; and
                                  (III) the percentage of such 
                                students who are international 
                                students.
                          (iv) The percentages of students 
                        enrolled at the institution, 
                        disaggregated by--
                                  (I) race and ethnic 
                                background;
                                  (II) classification as a 
                                student with a disability;
                                  (III) recipients of a Federal 
                                Pell Grant;
                                  (IV) recipients of veterans' 
                                education benefits (as defined 
                                in section 480); and
                                  (V) recipients of a Federal 
                                student loan.
                  (B) Completion.-- The information required 
                under paragraph (1)(E), disaggregated by--
                          (i) recipients of a Federal Pell 
                        Grant;
                          (ii) recipients of a loan made under 
                        part D (other than a Federal Direct 
                        Unsubsidized Stafford Loan) who did not 
                        receive a Federal Pell Grant;
                          (iii) persons who did not receive a 
                        Federal Pell Grant or a loan made under 
                        part D (other than a Federal Direct 
                        Unsubsidized Stafford Loan);
                          (iv) race and ethnic background; and
                          (v) classification as a student with 
                        a disability.
                  (C) Costs.--
                          (i) The cost of attendance for full-
                        time undergraduate students enrolled in 
                        the institution who live on campus.
                          (ii) The cost of attendance for full-
                        time undergraduate students enrolled in 
                        the institution who live off campus.
                          (iii) The cost of tuition and fees 
                        for full-time undergraduate students 
                        enrolled in the institution.
                          (iv) The cost of tuition and fees per 
                        credit hour or credit hour equivalency 
                        for undergraduate students enrolled in 
                        the institution less than full time.
                          (v) In the case of a public 
                        institution of higher education and 
                        notwithstanding subsection (b)(1), the 
                        costs described in clauses (i) and (ii) 
                        for--
                                  (I) full-time students 
                                enrolled in the institution who 
                                are residents of the State in 
                                which the institution is 
                                located; and
                                  (II) full-time students 
                                enrolled in the institution who 
                                are not residents of such 
                                State.
                          (vi) The net price for students 
                        receiving Federal student financial aid 
                        under title IV, disaggregated by the 
                        following income categories for such 
                        students:
                                  (I) $0 to $30,000.
                                  (II) $30,001 to $48,000.
                                  (III) $48,001 to $75,000.
                                  (IV) $75,001 to $110,000.
                                  (V) Over $110,000.
                  (D) Financial aid.--
                          (i) The average annual grant amount 
                        (including Federal, State, and 
                        institutional aid) awarded to an 
                        undergraduate student enrolled at the 
                        institution who receives financial aid.
                          (ii) The percentage of undergraduate 
                        students enrolled at the institution 
                        receiving Federal, State, and 
                        institutional grants, student loans, 
                        and any other type of student financial 
                        assistance known by the institution, 
                        provided publicly or through the 
                        institution, such as Federal work-study 
                        funds.
                          (iii) The cohort default rate (as 
                        defined in section 435(m)) for such 
                        institution.
                  (E) Faculty information.--
                          (i) The ratio of the number of course 
                        sections taught by part-time 
                        instructors to the number of course 
                        sections taught by full-time faculty, 
                        disaggregated by course sections 
                        intended primarily for undergraduate 
                        students and course sections intended 
                        primarily for graduate students.
                          (ii) The mean and median years of 
                        employment for part-time instructors.
          (3) Other data matters.--
                  (A) Completion data.-- The Commissioner of 
                Education Statistics shall ensure that the 
                information required under paragraph (1)(E) 
                includes information with respect to all 
                students at an institution, including students 
                other than first-time, full-time students, in a 
                manner that the Commissioner considers 
                appropriate.
                  (B) Adjustment of income categories.-- The 
                Secretary may annually adjust the range of each 
                of the income categories described in paragraph 
                (2)(C)(vi) to account for a change in the 
                Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers as 
                determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics if 
                the Secretary determines an adjustment is 
                necessary.
          (4) Institutional comparison.-- The Secretary shall 
        include on the College Dashboard website a method for 
        users to easily compare the information required under 
        paragraphs (1) and (2) between institutions.
          (5) Updates.--
                  (A) Data.-- The Secretary shall update the 
                College Dashboard website not less than 
                annually.
                  (B) Technology and format.-- The Secretary 
                shall regularly assess the format and 
                technology of the College Dashboard website and 
                make any changes or updates that the Secretary 
                considers appropriate.
          (6) Consumer testing.--
                  (A) In general.-- In developing and 
                maintaining the College Dashboard website, the 
                Secretary, in consultation with appropriate 
                departments and agencies of the Federal 
                Government, shall conduct consumer testing with 
                appropriate persons, including current and 
                prospective college students, family members of 
                such students, institutions of higher 
                education, and experts, to ensure that the 
                College Dashboard website is usable and easily 
                understandable and provides useful and relevant 
                information to students and families.
                  (B) Recommendations for changes.-- The 
                Secretary shall submit to the authorizing 
                committees any recommendations that the 
                Secretary considers appropriate for changing 
                the information required to be provided on the 
                College Dashboard website under paragraphs (1) 
                and (2) based on the results of the consumer 
                testing conducted under subparagraph (A).
          (7) Provision of appropriate links to prospective 
        students after submission of fafsa.-- The Secretary 
        shall provide to each student that submits a Free 
        Application for Federal Student Aid described in 
        section 483 a link to the webpage of the College 
        Dashboard website that contains the information 
        required under paragraph (1) for each institution of 
        higher education such student includes on such 
        Application.
          (8) Interagency coordination.-- The Secretary, in 
        consultation with each appropriate head of a department 
        or agency of the Federal Government, shall ensure to 
        the greatest extent practicable that any information 
        related to higher education that is published by such 
        department or agency is consistent with the information 
        published on the College Dashboard website.
          (9) References to college navigator website.-- Any 
        reference in this Act to the College Navigator website 
        shall be considered a reference to the College 
        Dashboard website.
  [(j) Multi-Year Tuition Calculator.--
          [(1) Development of multi-year tuition calculator.-- 
        Not later than one year after the date of enactment of 
        theHigher Education Opportunity Act, the Secretary 
        shall, in consultation with institutions of higher 
        education, financial planners, and other appropriate 
        experts, develop a multi-year tuition calculator to 
        help current and prospective students, families of such 
        students, and other consumers estimate the amount of 
        tuition an individual may pay to attend an institution 
        of higher education in future years.
          [(2) Calculation of multi-year tuition.-- The multi-
        year tuition calculator described in paragraph (1) 
        shall--
                  [(A) allow an individual to select an 
                institution of higher education for which the 
                calculation shall be made;
                  [(B) calculate an estimate of tuition and 
                fees for each year of the normal duration of 
                the program of study at such institution by--
                          [(i) using the tuition and fees for 
                        such institution, as reported under 
                        subsection (i)(5)(A)(i), for the most 
                        recent academic year for which such 
                        data are reported; and
                          [(ii) determining an estimated annual 
                        percentage change for each year for 
                        which the calculation is made, based on 
                        the annual percentage change in such 
                        institution's tuition and fees, as 
                        reported under subsection 
                        (i)(5)(A)(iv), for the most recent 
                        three-year period for which such data 
                        are reported;
                  [(C) calculate an estimate of the total 
                amount of tuition and fees to complete a 
                program of study at such institution, based on 
                the normal duration of such program, using the 
                estimate calculated under subparagraph (B) for 
                each year of the program of study;
                  [(D) provide the individual with the option 
                to replace the estimated annual percentage 
                change described in subparagraph (B)(ii) with 
                an alternative annual percentage change 
                specified by the individual, and calculate an 
                estimate of tuition and fees for each year and 
                an estimate of the total amount of tuition and 
                fees using the alternative percentage change;
                  [(E) in the case of an institution that 
                offers a multi-year tuition guarantee program, 
                allow the individual to have the estimates of 
                tuition and fees described in subparagraphs (B) 
                and (C) calculated based on the provisions of 
                such guarantee program for the tuition and fees 
                charged to a student, or cohort of students, 
                enrolled for the duration of the program of 
                study; and
                  [(F) include any other features or 
                information determined to be appropriate by the 
                Secretary.
          [(3) Availability and comparison.-- The multi-year 
        tuition calculator described in paragraph (1) shall be 
        available on the College Navigator website and shall 
        allow current and prospective students, families of 
        such students, and consumers to compare information and 
        estimates under this subsection for multiple 
        institutions of higher education.
          [(4) Disclaimer.-- Each calculation of estimated 
        tuition and fees made using the multi-year tuition 
        calculator described in paragraph (1) shall be 
        accompanied by a clear and conspicuous notice--
                  [(A) stating that the calculation--
                          [(i) is only an estimate and not a 
                        guarantee of the actual amount the 
                        student may be charged;
                          [(ii) is not binding on the 
                        Secretary, the institution of higher 
                        education, or the State; and
                          [(iii) may change, subject to the 
                        availability of financial assistance, 
                        State appropriations, and other 
                        factors;
                  [(B) stating that the student must complete 
                the Free Application for Federal Student Aid 
                described in section 483 in order to be 
                eligible for, and receive, an actual financial 
                aid award that includes Federal grant, loan, or 
                work-study assistance under title IV; and
                  [(C) including a link to the website of the 
                Department that allows students to access the 
                Free Application for Federal Student Aid 
                described in section 483.]
  [(k)] (e) Student Aid Recipient Survey.--
          (1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  [(l) Regulations.--The Secretary is authorized to issue such 
regulations as may be necessary to carry out this section.]

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                             MINORITY VIEWS

    We support and concur with the Majority views on H.R. 4983. 
However, student loan debt and skyrocketing college costs are 
one of the nation's top domestic concerns and the bill fails to 
address the needs of students and families already facing a 
mountain of student debt. That is why Democrats offered an 
amendment, which was rejected by the Majority, to give 
prospective students vital information on how many graduates 
from a college are repaying their student loans before they 
enroll.
    An applicant to a college should know whether students who 
go through a program are able to pay back their loans. 
Defaulting on a loan is the worst possible outcome for a 
borrower, however, millions of borrowers can be in a state of 
limbo where they can avoid default but still not manage to pay 
down their debts. A repayment metric would give students a more 
accurate assessment of how successful graduates are in repaying 
their debts.
    Additionally, repayment rates can serve as an important 
proxy on the success of college programs. Historically, 
colleges that have extremely low repayment rates are likely to 
have both unusually high dropout rates and unusually low 
employment rates, which are clear measures of whether an 
education program is of quality.
    Just last month, the Education Trust issued a report that 
strongly recommended the use of loan repayment rates as a 
metric of a program's quality. Here is what they wrote:

          Given that the federal role in higher education 
        revolves so heavily around student financial aid and 
        student loans in particular, this makes sense as a 
        minimum quality standard, both from a student 
        perspective and that of the taxpayer. Student loans are 
        by far the riskiest form of federal financial aid.
          Students who cannot meet their debt obligations 
        either because they earn a degree with little economic 
        value or because they earn no degree at all will 
        confront life-damaging consequences of bad credit, 
        including the inability to take on future debt--like a 
        home mortgage or a car loan--and possibly even wage and 
        tax garnishment [emphasis added.]

    Democrats agree. Students need access to information on 
program quality so that they can decide for themselves if a 
program is right for them.
    Democrats will continue to work to make college more 
affordable and accessible, increase oversight and quality 
assurance of colleges and loan servicers, and to promote new 
and innovative practices that can reduce student loan debt.

                                   George Miller.
                                   Jared Polis.
                                   Timothy H. Bishop.
                                   Mark Takano.
                                   Ruben Hinojosa.
                                   Raul M. Grijalva.
                                   Mark Pocan.
                                   Suzanne Bonamici.
                                   Frederica S. Wilson.
                                   Joe Courtney.
                                   Gregorio Kilili Sablan.
                                   Susan A. Davis.
                                   David Loebsack.
                                   Marcia L. Fudge.
                                   Carolyn McCarthy.
                                   John F. Tierney.

                                  
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