Earn to Learn Act

To establish a matched savings program for low-income students. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Earn to Learn Act 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Skyrocketing costs of higher education are outpacing available financial aid. Individuals in the United States owe more than $1,700,000,000,000 in student loan debt, and more than 3,000 student loan borrowers default on a student loan every day, many of whom did not complete their educational program before obtaining a degree. (2) The cost of paying for public higher education and workforce training programs continues to rise while the purchasing power of Federal Pell Grant aid has significantly diminished. (3) The confluence of these issues forces prospective students to make the tough choice between foregoing postsecondary education and borrowing enough money to pay for it, an amount that is often many times their annual salary and can remain a financial burden for decades after these students graduate. (4) The higher rates of loan delinquencies and default among low- and moderate-income populations often lead to increased financial hardship, fewer assets, and lower net worth. (5) In 2013, the Brookings Institute found that the increasing debt burden represents a drag on recent graduates and also serves as a deterrent to would-be students who may question the trade-off between the debt burden and the payoff of a college degree. (6) During the 2015–2016 academic year, the Department of Education found that nearly 3 in 4 students experienced unmet need, and that unmet need among postsecondary students had risen by 23 percent since the 2011–2012 academic year. (7) The Federal Reserve System has determined student loan payments are displacing retirement savings, home ownership, small business development, and other forms of building wealth. (8) The Report on the Economic Well-Being of United States Households in 2018 by the Federal Reserve found that 2 in 3 graduates with a bachelor’s degree or higher feel that their educational investment paid off financially, but only 3 in 10 students who started higher education programs but did not complete a degree share this view. (9) The United States urgently needs a new, innovative approach to financial aid to help low-income students achieve their educational goals, graduate with affordable amounts of student loan debt, and improve their financial capability. 3. Purpose It is the purpose of this Act to— (1) establish a proven and innovative matched savings program for low-income students that provides the financial resources and support those students need to attain their educational goals; (2) provide a much-needed supplement to traditional financial aid options through matched savings; (3) give students the tools to succeed by giving students the opportunity to invest in their education and to improve their financial capability through financial empowerment training and success coaching; and (4) help students— (A) develop healthy financial habits and life skills; (B) prepare to embark on a lifetime of healthy financial practices after graduation; and (C) minimize or eliminate student loan debt. 4. Definitions In this Act: (1) 529 account The term 529 account section 529(b) (2) Eligible educational institution The term eligible educational institution (A) an institution of higher education, as defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1002 (B) an area career and technical education school, as defined in section 3(3) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 ( 20 U.S.C. 2302(3) (3) Eligible entity The term eligible entity (4) Eligible student The term eligible student (A) is selected to participate in a postsecondary education match savings account program; (B) has been admitted to an eligible educational institution; (C) is a student from a low-income family, as determined by the eligible entity; (D) successfully completes a required prerequisite personal finance training program; (E) agrees to contribute savings to the postsecondary education match savings account administered by the eligible entity under this section; and (F) meets any other eligibility criteria as defined by the eligible entity. (5) Financial capability training platform The term Financial Capability Training Platform (A) delivers financial capability training to participating students that is designed to help students improve their financial capability and overall financial well-being; (B) includes an initial assessment to identify individual learning goals and objectives; (C) creates a personal and dynamic learning experience for each individual participant, including ongoing assessments and interim milestones related to learning objectives and longer-term goals; and (D) includes modules on student loans, financial aid, budgeting and credit, consumer debt, housing costs, retirement, the importance of emergency savings, banking (including checking and savings accounts), credit use and interest rates, predatory lending practices, privacy, and security, which shall be conducted by or at the direction of the eligible entity. (6) Postsecondary education match savings account The term postsecondary education match savings account (A) a custodial account; or (B) a 529 account. (7) Program guide The term Program Guide (8) Reporting dashboard The term Reporting Dashboard (A) allows eligible entities to monitor student progress, track achievement, and measure relevant behavioral change; (B) standardizes and facilitates student evaluation across participating eligible educational institutions; and (C) is in compliance with the requirements of section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act (commonly known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 20 U.S.C. 1232g (9) Secretary The term Secretary (10) Student with preliminary eligibility The term student with preliminary eligibility (A) is from a low-income family, as determined by an eligible entity; (B) plans to attend an eligible educational institution; and (C) meets the requirements described in subparagraphs (E) and (F) of paragraph (4). (11) Success coaching model The term Success Coaching Model (A) financial capability training to address budgeting, managing student debt, savings, debit management, credit cards, retirement readiness, and credit reports; (B) postsecondary education readiness training that provides mentoring to help students be better prepared for the challenges of postsecondary education; and (C) workforce readiness training to learn interviewing, resume skills, and career exploration. 5. Postsecondary education match savings account demonstration grant program (a) Grant established (1) In general Not later than 9 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a postsecondary education match savings account demonstration grant program described in this section, through which the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to enable those eligible entities to carry out the activities described in subsection (e). (2) Tools for grantees The Secretary shall develop the Reporting Dashboard, Financial Capability Training Platform, Program Guide, and Success Coaching Model and make those tools available to grantees. (3) Pell eligibility not affected The Secretary shall ensure that, notwithstanding any other provision of law— (A) participation in the grant program shall not affect a student's eligibility for a Federal Pell Grant under section 401 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1070a (B) funds deposited in a postsecondary education match savings account by a participating student, as well as any matching funds under this section, shall not be considered when a determination is made about that student's eligibility for Federal student aid under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq. (b) Application An eligible entity that desires to participate in the grant program under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may determine, including, at a minimum— (1) a demonstration of— (A) a commitment of non-Federal matching funds at a ratio of 1:1 (which non-Federal funds may be provided by an entity other than the eligible entity); (B) the ability to launch and implement the program; and (C) a plan for compliance with evaluation and program monitoring; and (2) an assurance that the applicant will utilize the Reporting Dashboard, Financial Capability Training Platform, and Success Coaching Model developed by the Secretary under subsection (a)(2). (c) Selection (1) Priority In selecting eligible entities to participate in the grant program under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that— (A) target eligible students and students with preliminary eligibility at a statewide level with networks of participating eligible educational institutions; and (B) commit to supporting selected students through the student's graduation from an eligible educational institution. (2) Diversity of projects The Secretary shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that the eligible entities awarded grants under this section include eligible entities that represent a range of communities (both rural and urban) and diverse populations. (d) Amount A grant awarded under this section shall be in an amount not to exceed the lesser of— (1) the aggregate amount of funds committed as matching contributions from non-Federal public or private sector sources; or (2) $10,000,000. (e) Uses of funds (1) In general An eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall use the grant funds to— (A) select eligible students, or students with preliminary eligibility, in the State in which the eligible entity is located to participate in the grant program; (B) provide selected students with financial literacy education using the Success Coaching Model; (C) after ensuring that a selected eligible student or selected student with preliminary eligibility has completed an agreement regarding the terms and conditions of the postsecondary education match savings account, establish a postsecondary education match savings account for each participating eligible student or student with preliminary eligibility and allow students and their families to deposit funds in that account to save for attendance at an eligible educational institution; and (D) reserve matching funds for participating students in accordance with paragraph (2). (2) Matching funds (A) In general Upon a participating student or student's family depositing $100 into a postsecondary education match savings account for the appropriate academic year, the eligible entity shall provide a match of $8 into the student's postsecondary education match savings account for each subsequent dollar deposited by the student or student's family. (B) Withdrawal from school If a participating student withdraws from an eligible educational institution during the drop-add period at that eligible educational institution, the student shall be responsible for any amounts owed for that academic period and will not receive matching funds for that academic period. (C) Delay of attendance; extenuating circumstances Subject to paragraph (3), each eligible entity shall describe in the agreement under paragraph (1)(C) the eligible entity's policy regarding the availability of matching funds in the event a student decides to delay attendance at an eligible educational institution or in the case of extenuating circumstances, such as illness of a student. (3) Return of deposited funds (A) In general Each eligible entity shall ensure that a participating eligible student, or a student with preliminary eligibility, who does not meet or maintain the requirements of paragraph (4) or (10) of section 4, respectively, shall be entitled to withdraw funds that the student or the student's family contributed to the postsecondary education match savings account in accordance with the terms and conditions that are contained in the agreement for that postsecondary education match savings account, as described in paragraph (1)(C). (B) Expiration (i) In general The participation of an eligible student or student with preliminary eligibility in the postsecondary education match savings account demonstration grant program shall terminate on the expiration date described in clause (ii). The eligible entity shall cease reserving matching funds on behalf of that student as described in paragraph (1)(D). Any remaining funds that the student or the student's family deposited in a postsecondary education match savings account shall be made available for withdrawal in accordance with subparagraph (A). (ii) Expiration date The expiration date described in this clause is— (I) the date that is 8 years after the date on which a participating eligible student first enrolled in an eligible educational institution; or (II) in the case of a student with preliminary eligibility, or a participating eligible student who does not enroll in an eligible educational institution, the date that is 4 years after the date on which the student first agrees to participate in the postsecondary education match savings account demonstration grant program. (4) Management costs An eligible entity receiving a grant under this section may use not more than 5 percent of grant funds for management costs, which may include nonadministrative and administrative functions, including program management, reporting requirements, recruitment and enrollment of individuals, and monitoring. (f) Data sharing An eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall enter into a data sharing agreement with eligible educational institutions in order to exchange data necessary to carry out the activities described in this section. Such data sharing shall be carried out in a manner that complies with the requirements of section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act (commonly known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 20 U.S.C. 1232g (g) Annual progress reports Each eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall prepare and submit to the Secretary an annual progress report containing the following information, in the aggregate and in a manner that protects personally identifiable information in accordance with Federal privacy laws: (1) The number and characteristics of participating students making a deposit into a postsecondary education match savings account supported under this section. (2) Data on program goals and achievements including enrollment rates, first-year retention rates, program completion, average Federal student loan debt, and share of participating eligible students borrowing Federal student loans. (3) The amount that the eligible entity has reserved in accordance with subsection (e)(1)(D). (4) The aggregate amounts deposited in postsecondary education match savings accounts by participating students and their families. (5) What service configurations of the eligible entity (such as configurations relating to peer support, structured planning exercises, mentoring, and case management) increased the rate and consistency of participation in the demonstration project and how such configurations varied among different populations or communities. (6) Such other information as the Secretary may require to evaluate the demonstration project. (h) Report to congress Not later than 1 year after the establishment of the demonstration project under this section, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to Congress a report containing the following information: (1) The effects of incentives and organizational or institutional support on postsecondary retention in the demonstration project. (2) The savings rates of individuals in the demonstration project, in the aggregate and disaggregated by demographic characteristics including gender, age, family size, race or ethnic background, and income. (3) The effects of postsecondary education match savings accounts on savings rates and postsecondary education retention and completion, and how such effects vary among different populations or communities. (4) The lessons to be learned from the demonstration projects conducted under this section and whether a permanent postsecondary education savings grant program should be established. (5) The characteristics of postsecondary education match savings accounts (such as threshold amounts and match rates) required to stimulate participation in the demonstration project, and how such characteristics vary among different populations or communities. (6) Such other factors as may be prescribed by the Secretary. (i) Technical assistance The Secretary may reserve not more than 10 percent of the amounts appropriated under section 6 to provide technical assistance to eligible entities receiving grants under this section. 6. Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2024 and each of the succeeding 4 years.

Summary: Earn to Learn Act This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to establish a postsecondary education match savings account demonstration grant program, through which ED must award competitive grants to states and nonprofit organizations to provide certain low-income students with postsecondary education match savings accounts (e.g., 529 plans). Further, ED must (1) develop and make available to grant recipients certain tools, including a training platform, a program guide, an online data portal, and certain trainings (e.g., on workforce readiness); (2) ensure that participation in the grant program does not affect student eligibility for Federal Pell Grants; and (3) provide technical assistance. Grant recipients must use funds to (1) select eligible students to participate in the grant program, (2) provide selected students with financial literacy education, (3) establish a postsecondary education match savings account for each participating student and allow such students and their families to deposit funds in their account to save for attendance at an institution of higher education or an area career and technical education school, and (4) reserve matching funds for participating students. Additionally, grant recipients must ensure that participating students are entitled to withdraw funds from their accounts under certain circumstances.