jiayi-li23/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Education — Higher
Subject: Education
Date: 2016-02-23 00:00:00

Making College Affordable and Accessible Act of 2016

This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to: (1) extend the authorization of appropriations for the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education through FY2022, and (2) authorize the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to institutions of higher education to carry out credit-based academic transition programs established through partnerships between high schools and such institutions that utilize dual or concurrent enrollment programs or early college high school programs that enable students to earn college credits while in high school.

ED shall give priority in awarding grants to institutions that serve students from low-income families, students from rural communities, or students who are the first in their family to receive postsecondary education.

Institutions shall use grant funds to:

 provide teachers, principals, and other school leaders with professional development activities that enhance or enable the provision of the appropriate coursework through such programs; and support activities including curriculum design, establishment of a course articulation process, outreach programs to provide elementary school and secondary school students information about and academic preparation for the transition programs, helping students meet eligibility criteria for the postsecondary courses, and coordinating secondary and postsecondary support services and academic calendars. Institutions may use grant funds for costs associated with carrying out such transition programs, including the costs of: (1) tuition and fees, books, and required instructional materials; and (2) transportation to and from such programs.
Topic: Education — Higher
Subject: Education
Date: 2016-02-29 00:00:00

Clarity in Lending for Education and Repayment Act or the CLEAR Act

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise federal student loan repayment plan options for new borrowers of Direct Loan (DL) program loans issued on or after July 1, 2016.

Specifically, the bill terminates several existing repayment plan options, including the graduated, extended, income-contingent, and income-based repayment plans. It retains the existing standard repayment plan and establishes a new revised pay-as-you-earn repayment plan that, among other things, caps monthly payments at 10% of discretionary income and sets a 20-year maximum repayment period.

A new borrower of a DL program subsidized Stafford, unsubsidized Stafford, PLUS, or consolidation loan issued on or after July 1, 2016, must enroll in the standard or revised pay-as you earn repayment plan.

The Department of Education must consult with students, family members, institutions of higher education, and other experts to improve the required disclosures with respect to federal Direct Loans.

Finally, the bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from an individual's gross income the amount of federal student loans discharged due to the death or disability of the student.
Topic: Education — Higher
Subject: Education
Date: 2016-03-02 00:00:00

Parent PLUS Loan Improvement Act of 2016

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to modify the applicable terms and conditions with respect to Federal Direct PLUS Loans to parent borrowers (i.e., parent PLUS loans).

Specifically, it reduces the interest rate and eliminates the origination fee for a parent PLUS loan disbursed on or after July 1, 2016.

 The Department of Education must ensure, prior to disbursement, that a parent PLUS loan borrower receives counseling that includes comprehensive information on the terms, conditions, and responsibilities with respect to the loan.

The bill makes a parent PLUS loan eligible for the income-contingent and income-based repayment plans. Additionally, it makes a consolidation loan that repays parent PLUS loan eligible for the income-based repayment plan.
Topic: Education — Higher
Subject: Education
Date: 2016-03-03 00:00:00

Child Care Access Means Parents in School Reauthorization Act or the CCAMPIS Reauthorization Act

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise and permanently reauthorize the Child Care Access Means Parents in School grant program.

The Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education must report to Congress on plans to better serve postsecondary students with dependents.
Topic: Education — Higher
Subject: Education
Date: 2016-03-17 00:00:00

Pell for Performance Act

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to modify the Federal Pell Grant program.

Specifically, if a Pell Grant recipient fails to complete an education program within the maximum timeframe for completion, then the Pell Grants received for such program convert to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan and are subject to repayment, in accordance with applicable terms and conditions.
Topic: Education — Higher
Subject: Education
Date: 2016-03-23 00:00:00

HBCU Innovation Fund Act

This bill amends title VII (Graduate and Postsecondary Improvement Programs) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a competitive grant program for historically black colleges and universities to plan, develop, and implement innovations that enable disadvantaged students to enroll in, persist through, and graduate from college.
Topic: Education — Higher
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2016-03-23 00:00:00

Save for Success Act 

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) modify the American Opportunity Tax Credit to include an increased credit amount for college savings contributions, and (2) direct the Departments of the Treasury and Education to jointly establish a pilot program to make periodic payments of educational expenses for a student as such expenses are incurred during the taxable year.

Treasury shall establish a taxpayer awareness program to inform the public of the availability of the American Opportunity Tax Credit.
Topic: Education — Higher
Subject: Education
Date: 2016-03-23 00:00:00

Tuition Use Information Transparently Identified Online Act or the TUITION Act

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand disclosure requirements for an institution of higher education (IHE) that participates in federal student aid programs.

Specifically, it requires an IHE to publish annually on its website for students and parents: (1) the total revenue it generated from tuition and fees, disaggregated by the proportion of such revenue it applied to any type of institutional expense (e.g., faculty salaries); and (2) a description of each such expense. 

This requirement takes effect in academic year 2016-2017.
Topic: Education — Higher
Subject: Education
Date: 2016-04-13 00:00:00

Teacher Debt Relief Act

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow an eligible teacher to use the same teaching service to qualify for both the teacher and public service loan forgiveness programs.
Topic: Education — Higher
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2016-04-14 00:00:00

This bill provides that the monthly stipend under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance program for a member of the reserve components of the Armed Forces who is pursuing a program of education using assistance under such program and performing certain active duty service shall be payable on a pro rata basis for the period of such month in which the individual is not performing active duty service.
Topic: Education — Higher
Subject: Education
Date: 2016-04-20 00:00:00

Financial Literacy for Financial Aid Act

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Department of Education to maintain a consumer-tested online counseling tool that provides required entrance counseling to a student who is a first-time federal student loan borrower.
Topic: Education — Higher
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2016-04-25 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.)

Protecting Veterans' Educational Choice Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill requires Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) counselors who provide specified educational or vocational counseling services to provide a requesting veteran or member of the Armed Forces with information about the articulation agreements (agreements governing the transferability of credits toward meeting specific degree or program requirements) of each institution of higher learning in which the individual is interested.

The VA shall: (1) provide a veteran who is certified as eligible for VA educational assistance with information on education counseling services and articulation agreements, and (2) implement this bill within 90 days after its enactment.
Topic: Education — Higher
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2016-04-26 00:00:00

Safe Prescribing for Veterans Act

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to require a VA employee (including a temporary full-time, part-time, or without-compensation employee) who is authorized to prescribe any controlled substance to complete at least one accredited continuing education course on pain management every two years.

Such requirement shall:

 apply to an employee who is employed by the VA for at least 180 days during any 24-month period; and not apply to an employee licensed or certified by a state licensure or specialty board that requires the completion of pain management or substance use disorder management continuing education. Continuing education courses shall include information on safe prescribing practices, controlled substance disposal, pain management principles, and identification of potential substance use disorders and addiction treatment.
Topic: Education — Higher
Subject: Education
Date: 2016-04-28 00:00:00

In the Red Act of 2016

This bill authorizes and appropriates specified funds to the Department of Education (ED) for FY2016-FY2025 and each succeeding year for grants: (1) to waive tuition and fees for eligible students at community colleges, and (2) to waive or reduce tuition and fees for low-income students at four-year historically black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions.

It amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct ED to establish a program to refinance outstanding federal student loans for borrowers of Direct Loan program loans disbursed before July 1, 2016, and Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program loans. (FFELs were not disbursed after June 30, 2010.)

The bill modifies, for academic year 2018-2019 and succeeding years, the calculation of the mandatory add-on amount used to determine the total maximum Federal Pell Grant award.

It also amends various provisions of the Internal Revenue Code to, among other things: (1) expand the expenses eligible for the American Opportunity Tax Credit to include the amount of a Federal Pell Grant used to pay for living expenses; and (2) include, as a qualified scholarship excludible from gross income, any amount received as a Federal Pell Grant.

Finally, the bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal royalty relief for: (1) deep gas wells in shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and (2) deep water oil and gas leases in the central and western Gulf of Mexico.
Topic: Education — Higher
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2016-05-10 00:00:00

Veterans Education Enhancement Act of 2016

This bill revises the fee that is deducted from a veteran's education entitlement under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post-9/11 educational assistance program from a monthly to a prorated fee for: (1) certain license and certification tests, and (2) national tests.

The Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education is extended through December 31, 2021.

The VA shall, in consultation with state approving agencies, prescribe training requirements for a school certifying official (SCO) employed by a covered educational institution offering approved veterans education courses. The VA may disapprove any course of education offered by a covered educational institution that does not ensure that an SCO meets such requirements. (A covered educational institution is an institution that has enrolled 20 or more individuals using veterans educational assistance.)

The bill extends the applicability of provisions requiring rounding down, and delays the applicability of provisions requiring rounding up, of veterans educational assistance increases for: (1) the All-Volunteer Force, and (2) survivors and dependents.

The VA shall reduce the monthly housing stipend on a pro rata basis for a student who reduces his or her course load, effective for a month that begins on or after August 1, 2017.

A reporting fee paid by the VA to an educational institution or joint apprenticeship training committee with respect to an institution that has 75 or more enrollees may not be used for or merged with amounts available for the general fund of the educational institution or joint apprenticeship training committee.
Topic: Education — Higher
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2016-05-10 00:00:00

GI Bill Oversight Act of 2016

This bill directs the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to apply heightened scrutiny to any program of education if any federal or state agency has made a final determination or settlement that the program used advertising, sales, or enrollment practices that are erroneous, deceptive, or misleading.

The VA shall provide notice of such heightened scrutiny and the reasons for it to an individual who is entitled to VA educational assistance and is enrolled in a course under such program.

The VA shall: (1) monitor allegations of deceptive and misleading program practices, including federal and state investigations; and (2) include information about allegations on the GI Bill Comparison Tool or any similar VA website.

The VA shall: (1) disapprove an educational course provided by an institution of higher learning if the VA determines pursuant to heightened scrutiny that such institution has engaged in erroneous, deceptive, or misleading practices; and (2) provide counseling services to assist affected individuals in transferring to another institution of higher learning.

The VA shall establish an interagency working group to: (1) share information about educational programs that employ deceptive or misleading practices; and (2) enter into information sharing memoranda of understanding with the Inspector Generals of relevant agencies to determine if funds from other federal programs are affected when one agency investigates a program for employing deceptive or misleading practices.
Topic: Education — Higher
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2016-05-10 00:00:00

Veterans Success on Campus Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) provide educational and vocational counseling services for veterans at VA-selected institutions of higher learning, and (2) select locations where the maximum number of veterans would have access to such services.

(Sec. 3) The bill revises the fee that is deducted from a veteran's education entitlement under the Post-9/11 educational assistance program from a monthly to a prorated fee for: (1) certain license and certification tests, and (2) national tests.

(Sec. 4) The bill extends provisions requiring rounding down to the next lower dollar amount through FY2024, and rounding to the nearest whole dollar amount after FY2024, with respect to veterans educational assistance increases for: (1) the All-Volunteer Force, and (2) survivors and dependents.

(Sec. 5) The Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education is extended through December 31, 2021.

(Sec. 6) The VA shall, in consultation with state approving agencies, prescribe training requirements for a school certifying official (SCO) employed by a covered educational institution offering approved veterans education courses. The VA may disapprove any course of education offered by a covered educational institution that does not ensure that an SCO meets such requirements. (A covered educational institution is an institution that has enrolled 20 or more individuals using veterans educational assistance.)

(Sec. 7) A reporting fee paid by the VA to an educational institution or joint apprenticeship training committee after the date of enactment of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2011 with respect to an institution that has 75 or more enrollees may not be used for or merged with amounts available for the general fund of the educational institution or joint apprenticeship training committee.

(Sec. 8) The VA Inspector General shall apply heightened scrutiny to any education program if any federal or state agency has made a final judgment or settlement that the program used deceptive or misleading practices that are potentially in violation of advertising, sales, and enrollment practices.

 The VA shall: (1) provide notice of, and the reasons for, such heightened scrutiny to an individual who is enrolled in an approved course and entitled to educational assistance; and (2) advise such individual to request a transcript and seek counseling about transferring any credits earned.

 The VA shall: (1) monitor allegations of deceptive and misleading practices made against educational programs; and (2) include information about any such allegation on the GI Bill Comparison Tool or any similar VA website.

(Sec. 9) The VA shall: (1) disapprove a course of education provided by an institution of higher learning if the VA determines, pursuant to such heightened scrutiny, that the institution has engaged in deceptive or misleading practices; and (2) provide transfer counseling services to individuals enrolled in a disapproved course.
Topic: Education — Higher
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2016-05-11 00:00:00

Higher Education Loan Payments for Students and Parents Act or the HELP for Students and Parents Act 

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the tax exclusion for employer-provided educational assistance programs to exclude from the gross income of an employee: (1) employer payments of principal or interest on loans for higher education expenses incurred by an employee, and (2) any qualified dependent 529 contributions made by the employer. (Under current law, the maximum exclusion for educational assistance programs is $5,250 per year.)

A "qualified dependent 529 contribution" is any amount contributed by an employer to a qualified tuition program the designated beneficiary of which is an employee's child who: (1) has not attained the age of 19 at the time of the contribution, or (2) is a student who has not attained the age of 24 at the time of the contribution.

The bill also allows a business tax credit for employer-provided higher education assistance, including: (1) 50% of the student loan repayment expenditures of the taxpayer for the year, and (2) 50% of the qualified dependent 529 contributions made by the taxpayer for the year. The amount taken into account for each expenditure with respect to any employee for any taxable year may not exceed $5,250.
Topic: Education — Higher
Subject: Education
Date: 2016-05-11 00:00:00

Fairness in Forgiveness Act of 2016

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include as a public service job for purposes of the public service loan forgiveness program a full-time job as an employee of a management and operating contractor of a national laboratory owned by the Department of Energy.

This Act and the amendments made by this Act take effect as if enacted on October 1, 2007.
Topic: Education — Higher
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2016-05-12 00:00:00

Stop Taxing Death and Disability Act 

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of an individual the discharge of student loans or private education loans due to the death or disability of the student.

The bill also amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Department of Education (ED) to discharge the liability on loans that parents received on behalf of a student who: (1) has become permanently and totally disabled, or (2) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity due to a physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or has lasted or is expected to last continuously for at least 60 months. (Under current law, ED is required to discharge the loans to parents if the student dies.)
Topic: Education — Higher
Subject: Education
Date: 2016-05-18 00:00:00

Student Loan Refinancing and Recalculation Act

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Department of Education to establish a program to refinance the outstanding principal, interest, and late charges on Federal Direct Loans (DLs) and Federal Family Education Loans (FFELs).

A refinanced loan has a fixed interest rate equal to the 10-year Treasury note rate plus 1 percentage point.

Additionally, the bill modifies the formula to calculate interest rates on new Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized, and PLUS Loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2017.

Finally, it eliminates the origination fee on Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized, and PLUS Loans disbursed (and on Consolidation Loans applied for) after enactment of this bill.
Topic: Education — Higher
Subject: Education
Date: 2016-05-23 00:00:00

Creating Higher Education Affordability Necessary to Compete Economically Act or the Middle Class CHANCE Act This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to modify provisions related to the Federal Pell Grant program.

Specifically, it increases the maximum Federal Pell Grant award for academic year 2017-2018 and adjusts it in subsequent award years to account for changes in the Consumer Price Index.

Additionally, the bill increases from one to two the number of Pell Grants an eligible student may receive in a single award year (i.e., it restores year-round Pell Grants). An eligible student is a student who: (1) has already received one Pell Grant for an award year, (2) is enrolled in an eligible program for an additional payment period (e.g., a summer term) during the same award year, (3) is enrolled on at least a part-time basis, and (4) has completed a full-time course load prior to receiving an additional Pell Grant.

A student's total amount of Pell Grants must not exceed 150% of the maximum Pell Grant for that award year. Also, any period during which a student receives an additional Pell Grant counts toward that student's lifetime Pell Grant eligibility period.

Finally, the bill increases from 12 to 15 semesters a student's lifetime Federal Pell Grant eligibility period.
Topic: Education — Higher
Subject: Education
Date: 2016-05-27 00:00:00

This bill authorizes and appropriates additional funds for the Chicago State University, in Chicago, Illinois, to improve its academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability. Specifically, it authorizes and appropriates $10 million for FY2016 and $20 million for FY2017 and each subsequent fiscal year.
Topic: Education — Higher
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2016-06-03 00:00:00

College Preparation Tax Credit Act of 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual taxpayer a tax credit for up to $500 of qualified college preparation expenses. An individual may use the credit for up to three years for qualified college preparation expenses that include:

 the fees required for taking any Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exam, the SAT, the ACT, or any SAT subject test; expenses related to preparation for the exams; fees and expenses related to applications for admission to pursue a postsecondary course of study at an institution of higher education; and similar expenses and fees prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service in regulations.