JOBS Act of 2015

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow the Secretary of Education to award job training Federal Pell Grants. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students Act of 2015 JOBS Act of 2015 2. Job training federal pell grants Section 401 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1070a (k) Job training federal pell grant program (1) In general For award years beginning on or after award year 2016–2017, the Secretary shall carry out a program through which the Secretary shall award job training Federal Pell Grants to students in job training programs. Each job training Federal Pell Grant awarded under this subsection shall have the same terms and conditions, and be awarded in the same manner, as a Federal Pell Grant awarded under subsection (a), except as follows: (A) A student who is eligible to receive a job training Federal Pell Grant under this subsection is a student who— (i) has not yet attained a baccalaureate degree or postbaccalaureate degree; (ii) attends an institution of higher education as defined in section 102; (iii) is enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, in a job training program at such institution of higher education; and (iv) meets all other eligibility requirements for a Federal Pell Grant (except with respect to the type of program of study, as provided in clause (iii)). (B) The amount of a job training Federal Pell Grant for an eligible student shall be determined under subsection (b)(2)(A), except that— (i) the maximum Federal Pell Grant awarded under this subsection for an award year shall be 50 percent of the maximum Federal Pell Grant awarded under subsection (b) applicable to that award year; (ii) no increase shall be calculated under subsection (b)(7)(B) for a student receiving a job training Federal Pell Grant under this subsection; and (iii) subsection (b)(4) shall not apply. (2) Inclusion in total eligibility period Any period during which a student receives a job training Federal Pell Grant under this subsection shall be included in calculating the student’s period of eligibility for Federal Pell Grants under subsection (c), and any regulations under such subsection regarding students who are enrolled in an undergraduate program on less than a full-time basis shall similarly apply to students who are enrolled in a job training program at an eligible institution on less than a full-time basis. (3) Definitions In this subsection, the following definitions apply: (A) Eligible career pathways program The term eligible career pathway program 29 U.S.C. 3102(7) (i) aligns with the skill needs of industries in the State or regional economy involved; (ii) prepares an individual to be successful in any of a full range of secondary or postsecondary education options, including apprenticeships registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the National Apprenticeship Act 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq. (iii) includes counseling to support an individual in achieving the individual’s education and career goals; (iv) includes, as appropriate, education offered concurrently with and in the same context as workforce preparation activities and training for a specific occupation or occupational cluster; (v) organizes education, training, and other services to meet the particular needs of an individual in a manner that accelerates the educational and career advancement of the individual to the extent practicable; (vi) enables an individual to attain a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent, and at least 1 recognized postsecondary credential; and (vii) helps an individual enter or advance within a specific occupation or occupational cluster. (B) Job training program The term job training program (i) provides not less than 150 clock hours of instructional time over a period of not less than 8 weeks; (ii) provides training aligned with the requirements of employers in the State or local area, which may include in-demand industry sectors or occupations in the State or local area, as defined under section 3(23) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3102(23) (iii) provides a student, upon completion of the program, with a recognized postsecondary credential, as defined under section 3(52) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3102(52) (iv) has been determined, by the institution of higher education, to provide academic content, an amount of instructional time, and a recognized postsecondary credential that are sufficient to— (I) meet the hiring requirements of potential employers; and (II) allow the students to apply for any licenses or certifications that may be required to be employed in the field for which the job training is offered; (v) may include integrated or basic skills courses; and (vi) may be offered as part of an eligible career pathways program. .

Summary: Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students Act of 2015 or the JOBS Act of 2015 This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish the Job Training Federal Pell Grant Program. The Department of Education must award job training Federal Pell Grants to eligible students. An eligible student is one who does not have a degree, attends an institution of higher education (IHE), is enrolled in a job training program at such IHE, and meets all other eligibility requirements for a Federal Pell Grant. The maximum job training Federal Pell Grant award is 50% of the discretionary base maximum award specified in annual appropriations law. Any period during which a student receives a job training Federal Pell Grant counts toward that student's Federal Pell Grant eligibility period.