I 
113TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
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. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 26, 2014 
Ms. FOXX (for herself, Mr. MESSER, and Mr. KLINE) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce 
A BILL 
To simplify and streamline the information regarding institu-
tions of higher education made publicly available by the 
Secretary of Education, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Strengthening Trans-
parency 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)— 
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(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘first- 
time,’’; 
(B) in paragraph (3) in the matter pre-
ceding 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 redesig-
nated) 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 
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most recent academic year for which satisfactory 
data are available, the following information with re-
spect to each institution of higher education that 
participates in a program under title IV: 
‘‘(A) A link to the website of the institu-
tion. 
‘‘(B) An identification of the type of insti-
tution as one of the following: 
‘‘(i) A four-year public institution of 
higher education. 
‘‘(ii) A four-year private, nonprofit in-
stitution 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 in-
stitution of higher education. 
‘‘(vi) A two-year private, for-profit in-
stitution of higher education. 
‘‘(vii) A less than two-year public in-
stitution of higher education. 
‘‘(viii) A less than two-year private, 
nonprofit institution of higher education. 
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‘‘(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 applica-
ble. 
‘‘(D) The student-faculty ratio. 
‘‘(E) The percentage of degree-seeking or 
certificate-seeking undergraduate students en-
rolled at the institution who obtain a degree or 
certificate within— 
‘‘(i) 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. 
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‘‘(G) The average Federal student loan 
debt incurred by an undergraduate student who 
has obtained a certificate or degree from the in-
stitution and who borrowed Federal student 
loans in the course of obtaining such certificate 
or degree. 
‘‘(H) The cohort default rate (as defined in 
section 435(m)) for such institution. 
‘‘(I) A link to national and regional data 
from the Bureau of Labor Statistics on starting 
salaries in all major occupations. 
‘‘(2) ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION.—The Sec-
retary 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 re-
spect to each institution of higher education that 
participates in a program under title IV: 
‘‘(A) ENROLLMENT.— 
‘‘(i) The percentages of male and fe-
male undergraduate students enrolled at 
the institution. 
‘‘(ii) 
The 
percentages 
of 
under-
graduate students enrolled at the institu-
tion— 
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‘‘(I) full-time; and 
‘‘(II) less than full-time. 
‘‘(iii) Of the undergraduate students 
enrolled at the institution— 
‘‘(I) the percentage of such stu-
dents who are from the State in which 
the institution is located; 
‘‘(II) the percentage of such stu-
dents who are from other States; and 
‘‘(III) the percentage of such stu-
dents who are international students. 
‘‘(iv) The percentages of students en-
rolled at the institution, disaggregated by 
race and ethnic background. 
‘‘(v) The percentage of undergraduate 
students enrolled at the institution who are 
formally registered with the office of dis-
ability services of the institution (or the 
equivalent office) as students with disabil-
ities, except that if such percentage is 
three percent or less, the institution shall 
report ‘three percent or less’. 
‘‘(vi) The percentage of students en-
rolled at the institution who are veterans 
(as defined in section 480). 
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‘‘(B) COMPLETION.—The information re-
quired 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 Un-
subsidized Stafford Loan) who did not re-
ceive a Federal Pell Grant; and 
‘‘(iii) persons who did not receive a 
Federal Pell Grant or a loan made under 
part D (other than a Federal Direct Un-
subsidized Stafford Loan). 
‘‘(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 
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undergraduate students enrolled in the in-
stitution 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 resi-
dents of such State. 
‘‘(vi) The net price for students re-
ceiving Federal student financial aid under 
title IV, disaggregated by the following in-
come 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 amount of a 
Federal Pell Grant awarded to an under-
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graduate student enrolled at such institu-
tion who receives a Federal Pell Grant. 
‘‘(ii) The average annual amount of 
Federal student loans provided through 
such institution to an undergraduate bor-
rower enrolled at such institution. 
‘‘(iii) 
The 
average 
annual 
grant 
amount (including Federal, State, and in-
stitutional aid) awarded to an under-
graduate student enrolled at the institution 
who receives financial aid. 
‘‘(iv) 
The 
percentage 
of 
under-
graduate students enrolled at the institu-
tion receiving Federal, State, and institu-
tional 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. 
‘‘(v) The percentage of students en-
rolled at the institution receiving Federal 
Pell Grants. 
‘‘(3) OTHER DATA MATTERS.— 
‘‘(A) COMPLETION
DATA.—The Commis-
sioner of Education Statistics shall ensure that 
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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 appro-
priate. 
‘‘(B) 
ADJUSTMENT
OF
INCOME
CAT-
EGORIES.—The Secretary may annually adjust 
the range of each of the income categories de-
scribed 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 Sec-
retary shall include on the College Dashboard 
website a method for users to easily compare the in-
formation required under paragraphs (1) and (2) be-
tween institutions. 
‘‘(5) UPDATES.— 
‘‘(A) DATA.—The Secretary shall update 
the College Dashboard website not less than an-
nually. 
‘‘(B) TECHNOLOGY
AND
FORMAT.—The 
Secretary shall regularly assess the format and 
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technology of the College Dashboard website 
and make any changes or updates that the Sec-
retary considers appropriate. 
‘‘(6) CONSUMER TESTING.—In developing and 
maintaining the College Dashboard website, the Sec-
retary shall conduct consumer testing with appro-
priate persons, including current and prospective col-
lege students, family members of such students, in-
stitutions of higher education, and experts, to ensure 
that the College Dashboard website is usable and 
easily understandable. 
‘‘(7) PROVISION
OF
APPROPRIATE
LINKS
TO 
PROSPECTIVE
STUDENTS
AFTER
SUBMISSION
OF 
FAFSA.—The Secretary shall provide to each stu-
dent that submits a Free Application for Federal 
Student Aid described in section 483 a link to the 
webpage of the College Dashboard website that con-
tains the information required under paragraph (1) 
for each institution of higher education such student 
includes on such Application. 
‘‘(8) INTERAGENCY COORDINATION.—The Sec-
retary, 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 
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published by such department or agency is con-
sistent 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 Edu-
cation 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) (20 U.S.C. 1015(h)), 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. 
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(d) 
COLLEGE
NAVIGATOR
WEBSITE
MAINTE-
NANCE.—The Secretary shall maintain the College Navi-
gator 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 Dash-
board website referred to in subsection (c) is complete and 
publicly available on the Internet. 
Æ 
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