Flight Education Access Act

Subjects: Education


<html><body><pre>[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1292 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

&lt;DOC&gt;






118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1292

   To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to increase the Federal 
   student loan limits for students in flight education and training 
                               programs.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 26, 2023

  Ms. Baldwin (for herself and Mr. Sullivan) introduced the following 
  bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, 
                     Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to increase the Federal 
   student loan limits for students in flight education and training 
                               programs.

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Flight Education Access Act''.

SEC. 2. INCREASE IN FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN LIMITS FOR STUDENTS IN FLIGHT 
              EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS.

    Section 455 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e) 
is amended--
            (1) in subsection (p)--
                    (A) by striking ``Each institution'' and inserting 
                the following:
            ``(1) In general.--Each institution'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1) (as designated by subparagraph 
                (A)), by inserting before the period at the end the 
                following: ``and, shall, with respect to Federal Direct 
                Stafford Loans and Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford 
                Loans made after the date of enactment of the Flight 
                Education Access Act to an eligible student (as defined 
                in subsection (r)), comply with the requirements of 
                paragraph (2)''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Additional disclosures.--At or prior to the 
        disbursement of a Federal Direct Stafford Loan or Federal 
        Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan after the date of enactment 
        of the Flight Education Access Act to an eligible student (as 
        defined in subsection (r)), the following shall be disclosed:
                    ``(A) The principal amount of the loan, the stated 
                interest rate on the loan, the number of required 
                monthly payments to be made on the loan (which shall be 
                based on a standard repayment plan), and the estimated 
                number of months before the start of the repayment 
                period for the loan (based on the expected date on 
                which the repayment period is to begin or the deferment 
                period is to end, as applicable).
                    ``(B) The estimated balance to be owed by the 
                borrower on such loan (including, if applicable, the 
                estimated amount of interest to be capitalized) as of 
                the scheduled date on which the repayment period is to 
                begin or the deferment period is to end, as applicable, 
                and an estimate of the projected monthly payment.
                    ``(C) An estimate of the aggregate amount the 
                borrower will pay for the loan, including the total 
                amount of monthly payments made over the life of the 
                loan plus the amount of any charges for the loan, such 
                as an origination fee.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(r) Increase in Loan Limits for Students in Flight Education and 
Training Programs.--
            ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
        this Act, the loan limits for Federal Direct Stafford Loans and 
        Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans made after the date 
        of enactment of the Flight Education Access Act with respect to 
        eligible students shall be subject to this subsection.
            ``(2) Definitions.--In this section:
                    ``(A) Eligible student.--The term `eligible 
                student' means a student who is enrolled in an eligible 
                undergraduate flight education and training program.
                    ``(B) Eligible undergraduate flight education and 
                training program.--The term `eligible undergraduate 
                flight education and training program' means an 
                undergraduate flight education and training program 
                that offers training for applicants seeking a 
                commercial pilot certificate and--
                            ``(i) during the period beginning on the 
                        date of enactment of the Flight Education 
                        Access Act and ending on the date on which 3 
                        years of data has been collected pursuant to 
                        paragraph (3)(D), that meets all the applicable 
                        requirements of this Act; and
                            ``(ii) beginning on the date on which 3 
                        years of data has been collected pursuant to 
                        paragraph (3)(D), that meets all the applicable 
                        requirements of this Act and has a completion 
                        rate averaged over a 3-year period, as 
                        calculated under paragraph (3)(D) that is equal 
                        to or greater than 70 percent.
                    ``(C) Undergraduate flight education and training 
                program.--The term `undergraduate flight education and 
                training program'--
                            ``(i) has the meaning given the term by the 
                        Secretary, in consultation with the 
                        Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
                        Administration;
                            ``(ii) shall include a flight education and 
                        training program offered by an eligible 
                        institution that is accredited by an 
                        accrediting agency recognized by the Secretary, 
                        that--
                                    ``(I) awards undergraduate 
                                certificates or associate or bachelor 
                                degrees; and
                                    ``(II) provides pilot training in 
                                accordance with part 141 of title 14, 
                                Code of Federal Regulations, or any 
                                successor regulation; and
                            ``(iii) shall not include a flight 
                        education and training program certified under 
                        part 61 of title 14, Code of Federal 
                        Regulations, or any successor regulation.
            ``(3) Loan limits for eligible undergraduate flight 
        education and training programs.--
                    ``(A) Limits for eligible students who are 
                dependent students.--
                            ``(i) Annual limits.--The maximum annual 
                        amount of Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford 
                        Loans an eligible student who is a dependent 
                        student may borrow in any academic year (as 
                        defined in section 481(a)(2)) or its equivalent 
                        shall be--
                                    ``(I) in the case of an eligible 
                                student at an eligible institution who 
                                has not successfully completed the 
                                first year of an eligible undergraduate 
                                flight education and training program--
                                            ``(aa) $20,500, if such 
                                        student is enrolled in such a 
                                        program whose length is at 
                                        least one academic year in 
                                        length; or
                                            ``(bb) if such student is 
                                        enrolled in such a program that 
                                        is less than one academic year, 
                                        the maximum annual loan amount 
                                        that such student may receive 
                                        may not exceed the amount that 
                                        bears the same ratio to the 
                                        amount specified in item (aa) 
                                        as the length of such program 
                                        measured in semester, 
                                        trimester, quarter, or clock 
                                        hours bears to one academic 
                                        year;
                                    ``(II) in the case of an eligible 
                                student at an eligible institution who 
                                has successfully completed the first 
                                year of an eligible undergraduate 
                                flight education and training program 
                                but has not yet successfully completed 
                                the remainder of such program--
                                            ``(aa) $31,500; or
                                            ``(bb) if such student is 
                                        enrolled in such a program that 
                                        is less than one academic year, 
                                        the maximum annual loan amount 
                                        that such student may receive 
                                        may not exceed the amount that 
                                        bears the same ratio to the 
                                        amount specified in item (aa) 
                                        as the length of such program 
                                        measured in semester, 
                                        trimester, quarter, or clock 
                                        hours bears to one academic 
                                        year;
                                    ``(III) in the case of a student at 
                                an eligible institution who has 
                                successfully completed the first year 
                                and second years of an eligible 
                                undergraduate flight education and 
                                training program but has not yet 
                                successfully completed the remainder of 
                                such program--
                                            ``(aa) $32,500; or
                                            ``(bb) if such student is 
                                        enrolled in such a program that 
                                        is less than one academic year, 
                                        the maximum annual loan amount 
                                        that such student may receive 
                                        may not exceed the amount that 
                                        bears the same ratio to the 
                                        amount specified in item (aa) 
                                        as the length of such program 
                                        measured in semester, 
                                        trimester, quarter, or clock 
                                        hours bears to one academic 
                                        year; and
                                    ``(IV) in the case of a student at 
                                an eligible institution who has 
                                successfully completed the first, 
                                second, and third years of an eligible 
                                undergraduate flight education and 
                                training program but has not yet 
                                successfully completed the remainder of 
                                such program--
                                            ``(aa) $22,500; or
                                            ``(bb) if such student is 
                                        enrolled in such a program that 
                                        is less than one academic year, 
                                        the maximum annual loan amount 
                                        that such student may receive 
                                        may not exceed the amount that 
                                        bears the same ratio to the 
                                        amount specified in item (aa) 
                                        as the length of such program 
                                        measured in semester, 
                                        trimester, quarter, or clock 
                                        hours bears to one academic 
                                        year.
                            ``(ii) Aggregate limits.--The maximum 
                        aggregate amount of Federal Direct Unsubsidized 
                        Stafford Loans an eligible student who is a 
                        dependent student may borrow shall be $111,000.
                    ``(B) Limits for eligible students who are 
                independent students.--
                            ``(i) Annual limits.--The maximum annual 
                        amount of Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford 
                        Loans an eligible student who is an independent 
                        student may borrow in any academic year (as 
                        defined in section 481(a)(2)) or its equivalent 
                        shall be--
                                    ``(I) in the case of an eligible 
                                student at an eligible institution who 
                                has not successfully completed the 
                                first year of an eligible undergraduate 
                                flight education and training program--
                                            ``(aa) $24,500, if such 
                                        student is enrolled in such a 
                                        program whose length is at 
                                        least one academic year in 
                                        length; or
                                            ``(bb) if such student is 
                                        enrolled in such a program that 
                                        is less than one academic year, 
                                        the maximum annual loan amount 
                                        that such student may receive 
                                        may not exceed the amount that 
                                        bears the same ratio to the 
                                        amount specified in item (aa) 
                                        as the length of such program 
                                        measured in semester, 
                                        trimester, quarter, or clock 
                                        hours bears to one academic 
                                        year;
                                    ``(II) in the case of an eligible 
                                student at an eligible institution who 
                                has successfully completed the first 
                                year of an eligible undergraduate 
                                flight education and training program 
                                but has not yet successfully completed 
                                the remainder of such program--
                                            ``(aa) $35,500; or
                                            ``(bb) if such student is 
                                        enrolled in such a program that 
                                        is less than one academic year, 
                                        the maximum annual loan amount 
                                        that such student may receive 
                                        may not exceed the amount that 
                                        bears the same ratio to the 
                                        amount specified in item (aa) 
                                        as the length of such program 
                                        measured in semester, 
                                        trimester, quarter, or clock 
                                        hours bears to one academic 
                                        year;
                                    ``(III) in the case of a student at 
                                an eligible institution who has 
                                successfully completed the first year 
                                and second years of an eligible 
                                undergraduate flight education and 
                                training program but has not yet 
                                successfully completed the remainder of 
                                such program--
                                            ``(aa) $37,500; or
                                            ``(bb) if such student is 
                                        enrolled in such a program that 
                                        is less than one academic year, 
                                        the maximum annual loan amount 
                                        that such student may receive 
                                        may not exceed the amount that 
                                        bears the same ratio to the 
                                        amount specified in item (aa) 
                                        as the length of such program 
                                        measured in semester, 
                                        trimester, quarter, or clock 
                                        hours bears to one academic 
                                        year; and
                                    ``(IV) in the case of a student at 
                                an eligible institution who has 
                                successfully completed the first, 
                                second, and third years of an eligible 
                                undergraduate flight education and 
                                training program but has not yet 
                                successfully completed the remainder of 
                                such program--
                                            ``(aa) $27,500; or
                                            ``(bb) if such student is 
                                        enrolled in such a program that 
                                        is less than one academic year, 
                                        the maximum annual loan amount 
                                        that such student may receive 
                                        may not exceed the amount that 
                                        bears the same ratio to the 
                                        amount specified in item (aa) 
                                        as the length of such program 
                                        measured in semester, 
                                        trimester, quarter, or clock 
                                        hours bears to one academic 
                                        year.
                            ``(ii) Aggregate limits.--The maximum 
                        aggregate amount of Federal Direct Unsubsidized 
                        Stafford Loans an eligible student who is an 
                        independent student may borrow shall be 
                        $137,500.
                    ``(C) Limits for eligible students receiving 
                federal direct stafford loans.--
                            ``(i) Annual limits.--The maximum annual 
                        amount of Federal Direct Stafford Loans an 
                        eligible student may borrow in any academic 
                        year (as defined in section 481(a)(2)) or its 
                        equivalent shall, subject to subsection (q)(1), 
                        be--
                                    ``(I) in the case of an eligible 
                                student at an eligible institution who 
                                has not successfully completed the 
                                first year of an eligible undergraduate 
                                flight education and training program--
                                            ``(aa) $11,000; or
                                            ``(bb) if such student is 
                                        enrolled in such a program that 
                                        is less than one academic year, 
                                        the maximum annual loan amount 
                                        that such student may receive 
                                        may not exceed the amount that 
                                        bears the same ratio to the 
                                        amount specified in item (aa) 
                                        as the length of such program 
                                        measured in semester, 
                                        trimester, quarter, or clock 
                                        hours bears to one academic 
                                        year;
                                    ``(II) in the case of an eligible 
                                student at an eligible institution who 
                                has successfully completed the first 
                                year of an eligible undergraduate 
                                flight education and training program 
                                but has not yet successfully completed 
                                the remainder of such program--
                                            ``(aa) $18,000; or
                                            ``(bb) if such student is 
                                        enrolled in such a program that 
                                        is less than one academic year, 
                                        the maximum annual loan amount 
                                        that such student may receive 
                                        may not exceed the amount that 
                                        bears the same ratio to the 
                                        amount specified in item (aa) 
                                        as the length of such program 
                                        measured in semester, 
                                        trimester, quarter, or clock 
                                        hours bears to one academic 
                                        year;
                                    ``(III) in the case of a student at 
                                an eligible institution who has 
                                successfully completed the first year 
                                and second years of an eligible 
                                undergraduate flight education and 
                                training program but has not yet 
                                successfully completed the remainder of 
                                such program--
                                            ``(aa) $19,000; or
                                            ``(bb) if such student is 
                                        enrolled in such a program that 
                                        is less than one academic year, 
                                        the maximum annual loan amount 
                                        that such student may receive 
                                        may not exceed the amount that 
                                        bears the same ratio to the 
                                        amount specified in item (aa) 
                                        as the length of such program 
                                        measured in semester, 
                                        trimester, quarter, or clock 
                                        hours bears to one academic 
                                        year; and
                                    ``(IV) in the case of a student at 
                                an eligible institution who has 
                                successfully completed the first, 
                                second, and third years of an eligible 
                                undergraduate flight education and 
                                training program but has not yet 
                                successfully completed the remainder of 
                                such program--
                                            ``(aa) $13,000; or
                                            ``(bb) if such student is 
                                        enrolled in such a program that 
                                        is less than one academic year, 
                                        the maximum annual loan amount 
                                        that such student may receive 
                                        may not exceed the amount that 
                                        bears the same ratio to the 
                                        amount specified in item (aa) 
                                        as the length of such program 
                                        measured in semester, 
                                        trimester, quarter, or clock 
                                        hours bears to one academic 
                                        year.
                            ``(ii) Aggregate limits.--The maximum 
                        aggregate amount of Federal Direct Stafford 
                        Loans an eligible student may borrow shall be 
                        $65,000.
                    ``(D) Data collection on, and calculation of, 
                completion rates.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall 
                        annually calculate the completion rate of each 
                        undergraduate flight education and training 
                        program at each eligible institution based on 
                        the information collected under clause (ii).
                            ``(ii) Collection of information.--The 
                        Secretary shall annually collect information, 
                        for each academic year, on--
                                    ``(I) the total number of students 
                                enrolled in an undergraduate flight 
                                education and training program at an 
                                eligible institution; and
                                    ``(II) those students who complete 
                                such program--
                                            ``(aa) who earn a private 
                                        pilot's certificate for an 
                                        airplane category rating with a 
                                        single-engine class rating 
                                        while enrolled in such program; 
                                        or
                                            ``(bb) who at the time of 
                                        enrollment, possess such a 
                                        certificate.
                            ``(iii) Calculation of completion rate.--To 
                        calculate the completion rate described in 
                        clause (i), the Secretary shall--
                                    ``(I) consider as having completed, 
                                those students who earn a private 
                                pilot's certificate for an airplane 
                                category rating with a single-engine 
                                class rating, or who at the time of 
                                enrollment possess such a certificate, 
                                and complete the undergraduate flight 
                                education and training program at an 
                                eligible institution--
                                            ``(aa) that predominantly 
                                        awards associate degrees, 
                                        within 200 percent of the 
                                        normal time for completion;
                                            ``(bb) that predominantly 
                                        awards bachelor degrees, within 
                                        150 percent of the normal time 
                                        for completion; and
                                            ``(cc) that predominantly 
                                        awards undergraduate 
                                        certificates, within 200 
                                        percent of the normal time for 
                                        completion;
                                    ``(II) consider as not having 
                                completed, those students who earn a 
                                private pilot's certificate for an 
                                airplane category rating with a single-
                                engine class rating, or who at the time 
                                of enrollment possess such a 
                                certificate, and who transfer out of 
                                the undergraduate flight education and 
                                training program to another program at 
                                the eligible institution that is not an 
                                undergraduate flight education and 
                                training program or to a program that 
                                is not an undergraduate flight 
                                education and training program at 
                                another eligible institution; and
                                    ``(III) not include in the 
                                calculation, any student who--
                                            ``(aa) is a foreign 
                                        national;
                                            ``(bb) earns a private 
                                        pilot's certificate for an 
                                        airplane category rating with a 
                                        single-engine class rating and 
                                        transfers out of the 
                                        undergraduate flight education 
                                        and training program to another 
                                        undergraduate flight education 
                                        and training program at a 
                                        different eligible institution; 
                                        or
                                            ``(cc) is enrolled in an 
                                        undergraduate flight education 
                                        and training program and never 
                                        earns a private pilot's 
                                        certificate for an airplane 
                                        category rating with a single-
                                        engine class rating.
                    ``(E) Reporting requirements.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall 
                        require each undergraduate flight education and 
                        training program that enrolls students who 
                        receive assistance under this part to provide 
                        the data described in this subparagraph that is 
                        necessary for the completion of the reporting 
                        requirements described in this subparagraph.
                            ``(ii) Form of data collection.--The 
                        Secretary shall prescribe the form and format 
                        of the data required to be provided under this 
                        subparagraph and include, at a minimum, the 
                        following data elements:
                                    ``(I) Student data elements 
                                necessary to calculate student 
                                enrollment, persistence, retention, 
                                transfer, and completion rates.
                                    ``(II) Information disaggregated by 
                                gender, race, ethnicity, and 
                                socioeconomic status.
                            ``(iii) Report to congress.--Not later than 
                        9 months after the date of enactment of the 
                        Flight Education Access Act and biennially 
                        thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report 
                        to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 
                        and Pensions of the Senate, the Committee on 
                        Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
                        Senate, the Committee on Education and the 
                        Workforce of the House of Representatives, and 
                        the Committee on Transportation and 
                        Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, 
                        analyzing and assessing the data collected 
                        pursuant to this subparagraph and conforming to 
                        the requirements of this subparagraph that 
                        shall include the following:
                                    ``(I) An assessment of the 
                                effectiveness of the requirements under 
                                this subsection.
                                    ``(II) Information on enrollment, 
                                persistence, retention, transfer, 
                                completion, utilization of Federal 
                                financial aid, and unmet financial 
                                need, including information on 
                                applicable institutions.
                                    ``(III) Information on the gender, 
                                race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic 
                                status of students enrolled in an 
                                undergraduate flight education and 
                                training program.''.

SEC. 3. GAO REPORT.

    Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall--
            (1) examine and review the implementation of this Act and 
        the amendments made by this Act, which review shall include--
                    (A) the number of participating institutions 
                offering undergraduate flight education and training 
                programs (as defined in section 455(r) of the Higher 
                Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087e(r)), as amended 
                by this Act);
                    (B) the number of students enrolled in such 
                undergraduate flight education and training programs, 
                and demographic data regarding such students;
                    (C) the level of such students' participation in 
                the loan program under part D of title IV of the Higher 
                Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087a et seq.), 
                including demographic data as appropriate; and
                    (D) feedback from participating institutions 
                regarding the implementation of this Act and the 
                amendments made by this Act;
            (2) develop recommendations to the Department of Education 
        on any changes that should be made to improve the 
        implementation of this Act and the amendments made by this Act; 
        and
            (3) prepare and submit a report on the findings and 
        recommendations under paragraphs (1) and (2) to--
                    (A) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
                Pensions and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                Transportation of the Senate; and
                    (B) the Committee on Education and the Workforce 
                and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
                of the House of Representatives.

SEC. 4. FLIGHT EDUCATION PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP GRANT.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Educational partner.--The term ``educational partner'' 
        means--
                    (A) a local educational agency (as defined in 
                section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
                Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801));
                    (B) a State educational agency (as defined in 
                section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
                Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801));
                    (C) an institution of higher education (as defined 
                in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
                U.S.C. 1002)) with an eligible undergraduate flight 
                education and training program or looking to establish 
                such a program;
                    (D) the Bureau of Indian Education;
                    (E) an Alaska Native Corporation;
                    (F) a nonprofit organization; or
                    (G) a consortium of at least 2 of the entities 
                described in subparagraphs (A) through (F).
            (2) Eligible partnership.--The term ``eligible 
        partnership'' means a collaboration between at least 1 
        workforce partner and at least 1 educational partner.
            (3) Eligible undergraduate flight education and training 
        program.--The term ``eligible undergraduate flight education 
        and training program'' has the meaning given the term in 
        section 455(r) Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        1087e(r)).
            (4) High-need local educational agency.--The term ``high-
        need local educational agency'' has the meaning given the term 
        in section 200 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        1021).
            (5) Minority-serving institution.--The term ``minority-
        serving institution'' means an institution described in any of 
        paragraphs (1) through (7) of section 371(a) of the Higher 
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)).
            (6) Secretary.--Except as otherwise provided, the term 
        ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Education.
            (7) Workforce partner.--The term ``workforce partner'' 
        means--
                    (A) a labor organization representing aircraft 
                pilots;
                    (B) an entity that trains pilots;
                    (C) an entity that employs pilots;
                    (D) a trade association, nonprofit organization, or 
                other entity representing the interests of an entity 
                described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C); or
                    (E) a consortium of at least 2 of the entities 
                described in subparagraphs (A) through (D).
    (b) Grant Program Authorized.--The Secretary, in consultation with 
Secretary of Transportation, shall award grants to eligible 
partnerships to--
            (1) support the education of future airline and commercial 
        pilots;
            (2) diversify the pilot training workforce by increasing 
        the number and percentage of pilots from underrepresented or 
        non-traditional populations, low-income populations, and rural 
        populations; and
            (3) generate interest and support for a career as an 
        airline and commercial pilot.
    (c) Applications.--An eligible partnership that desires to receive 
a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary 
at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as 
the Secretary may require.
    (d) Priorities.--
            (1) In general.--In awarding grants under this section, the 
        Secretary shall ensure that not less than 25 percent of the 
        funds made available to carry out this section for any fiscal 
        year are awarded to eligible partnerships that consist of--
                    (A) a minority-serving institution with an eligible 
                undergraduate flight education and training program or 
                looking to establish such a program;
                    (B) a high-need local educational agency; or
                    (C) a consortium of entities described in 
                subparagraphs (A) and (B).
            (2) Exception.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the 
        Secretary shall reduce the amount of funds made available under 
        such paragraph if the Secretary does not receive a sufficient 
        number of applications of sufficient quality.
    (e) Uses of Funds.--An eligible partnership that receives a grant 
under this section shall use the grant funds for 1 or more of the 
following activities:
            (1) A scholarship program for current or prospective flight 
        education students at an eligible undergraduate flight 
        education and training program.
            (2) Operating an outreach or development program in a local 
        educational agency, particularly a high-need local educational 
        agency, for elementary school, middle school, and high school 
        students to--
                    (A) introduce such students to the pilot profession 
                and aviation experiences; and
                    (B) recruit students from low-income, rural, 
                underrepresented, or non-traditional populations to the 
                aviation profession.
            (3) Provide startup grants to institutions of higher 
        education, particularly minority-serving institutions, to start 
        or expand aviation programs that serve underrepresented 
        communities.
    (f) Matching Funds.--
            (1) Match.--In order to receive a grant under this section, 
        an eligible partnership shall demonstrate that the workforce 
        partner in the partnership will provide matching funds, in cash 
        or through an in-kind contribution, from Federal, State, local, 
        or private sources, in an amount equal to 25 percent of the 
        funds provided under such grant.
            (2) Exception.--The Secretary may waive the matching funds 
        requirement under paragraph (1), on a case-by-case basis, upon 
        a showing of exceptional circumstances or financial 
        difficulties in the eligible partnership.
    (g) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary, in consultation with the 
Secretary of Transportation, shall reserve not more than 5 percent of 
the funds made available to carry out this section to provide technical 
assistance to--
            (1) applicants seeing to become an eligible partnership; 
        and
            (2) eligible partnerships that have been awarded grants 
        under this section.
    (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $40,000,000 for each of the 
fiscal years 2023 through 2027.

SEC. 5. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

    Nothing in this Act, or an amendment made by this Act, shall be 
construed to repeal, amend, supersede, or affect any pilot training or 
qualification provision under existing law.

SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
Education, in addition to any amounts otherwise available, to carry out 
the amendments made by this Act $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2023 through 2033. Such funds shall be available until expended.
                                 &lt;all&gt;
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