Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act

Bill: 114-hr-3178
Sponsor: Rep. Foxx, Virginia [R-NC-5]
Introduced: 2015-07-23 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Consumer affairs
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Inflation and prices
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Student aid and college costs
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2015-07-23
text: 

Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act

 
This bill amends title I (General Provisions) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to modify consumer information disclosure requirements related to college costs and student characteristics. 
 
Specifically, it eliminates the existing restriction that limits calculations of cost of attendance, net price, and tuition and fees to first time students only. 
 
Additionally, it eliminates provisions that require the Department of Education (ED) to make publicly available the following: (1) college affordability and transparency lists, (2) annual summaries of institutional reports, (3) state higher education spending charts; and (4) a multi-year tuition and fees calculator.
 
The bill directs ED to develop, annually update, and make publicly available a College Dashboard website to replace the College Navigator website. 
 
It revises the consumer information ED must make publicly available regarding an institution that participates in title IV federal student aid programs. ED must also publish and link to the College Dashboard website additional information regarding student enrollment, completion rates, costs, use of financial aid, and faculty.
 
The bill establishes certain minimum requirements for an institution's net price calculator, including website location and information provided. Sale or distribution of personally identifiable information collected by a net price calculator is prohibited.

action_date: 2016-07-11
text: 

Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act

 
(Sec. 2) This bill amends title I (General Provisions) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to modify consumer information disclosure requirements related to college costs and student characteristics. 
 
Specifically, it eliminates the existing restriction that limits calculations of cost of attendance, net price, and tuition and fees to first time students only. 
 
Additionally, it eliminates provisions that require the Department of Education (ED) to make publicly available the following: (1) college affordability and transparency lists, (2) annual summaries of institutional reports, (3) state higher education spending charts; and (4) a multi-year tuition and fees calculator.
 
(Sec. 3) The bill directs ED to develop, annually update, and make publicly available a College Dashboard website to replace the College Navigator website. 
 
It revises the consumer information ED must make publicly available regarding an institution that participates in federal student aid programs under title IV (Student Assistance). ED must also publish and link to the College Dashboard website additional information regarding student enrollment, completion rates, costs, use of financial aid, and faculty.
 
The bill establishes certain minimum requirements for an institution's net price calculator, including website location and information provided. Sale or distribution of personally identifiable information collected by a net price calculator is prohibited.
 
(Sec. 4) No additional funds are authorized to carry out the requirements of this bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-07-12
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2016-07-11
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2016-07-11
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4603-4605)
action_date: 2016-07-11
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H4603-4605)
action_date: 2016-07-11
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3178.
action_date: 2016-07-11
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4603-4606)
action_date: 2016-07-11
text: Mr. Messer moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2016-07-11
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 522.
action_date: 2016-07-11
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and the Workforce. H. Rept. 114-674.
action_date: 2016-07-11
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and the Workforce. H. Rept. 114-674.
action_date: 2016-06-22
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2016-06-22
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2015-11-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.
action_date: 2015-07-23
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2015-07-23
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-07-23
text: Introduced in House