1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “College Access Act of 2014”.
College Access Act of 2014
A BILL
To establish a grant program to incentivize States to implement comprehensive reforms and innovative strategies to significantly improve postsecondary outcomes for low-income and first generation college students, including increasing postsecondary enrollment and graduation rates, to reduce the need of postsecondary students for remedial education, to increase alignment of elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education, and to promote innovation in postsecondary education, and for other purposes.
2. Definitions
In this Act:
Accelerated learning model— The term accelerated learning model means a program that—
is designed to help students in secondary school learn at a faster and more rigorous pace; and
offers students the opportunity to earn postsecondary credits and, in some cases, obtain an occupational certificate or degree (including an associate degree), while such students are in secondary school.
Adult education— The term adult education means services or instruction below the postsecondary level for individuals—
who have attained 16 years of age;
who are not enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school under State law; and
who—
lack sufficient mastery of basic educational skills to function effectively in society;
do not have a secondary school diploma, or the recognized equivalent of such diploma, and have not achieved an equivalent level of education; or
are unable to speak, read, or write in the English language.
Community college— The term community college has the meaning given the term junior or community college in section 312(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1058(f)).
Dual enrollment program— The term dual enrollment program means an academic program through which a secondary school student is able to simultaneously earn credit toward a secondary school diploma and a postsecondary degree or certificate.
Eligible entity— The term eligible entity means a State or a consortium of States.
Enrollment status— The term enrollment status has the meaning given the term in section 690.2(c) of title 34, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on July 1, 2011).
Federal Pell Grant— The term Federal Pell Grant means a Federal Pell Grant under section 401 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a).
First generation college student— The term first generation college student has the meaning given the term in section 402A(h) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a–11(h)).
Institution of higher education— The term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002).
Low-income student— The term low-income student means a student with a taxable family income for the preceding year that did not exceed 80 percent of the median taxable family income for a family of the same size as the student in the State in which the student is a resident.
Net price— The term net price has the meaning given the term in section 132(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1015a(a)).
Open educational resource— The term open educational resource means an educational resource that is licensed under an open license and freely available online to the public.
Open license— The term open license means a worldwide, royalty-free, nonexclusive, perpetual, and irrevocable copyright license that grants the public permission to access, reproduce, publicly perform, publicly display, adapt, distribute, and otherwise use the work governed by such license and adaptations of such work for any purpose, conditioned only upon the requirement that an author of such work receives appropriate attribution.
Postsecondary credential— The term postsecondary credential means an associate degree, a baccalaureate degree, or a certificate provided by a community college or a postsecondary vocational institution.
Postsecondary vocational institution— The term postsecondary vocational institution has the meaning given such term in section 102(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002(c)).
Secondary school— The term secondary school has the meaning given the term in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
Secretary— The term Secretary means the Secretary of Education.
State— The term State has the meaning given the term in section 103 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1003).
3. Reservation of funds
From amounts made available to carry out this Act for each fiscal year, the Secretary may reserve not more than 2 percent of such amounts to carry out activities in accordance with this Act related to technical assistance, evaluation, outreach, and dissemination.
4. Authorization of State grant program
In general— For each fiscal year for which funds are appropriated under section 11 and from such amounts not reserved under section 3, the Secretary shall award planning and implementation grants to eligible entities to enable such entities to develop or implement a comprehensive State plan described in section 5 to improve postsecondary outcomes for all students, especially low-income and first generation college students.
Planning and implementation grants— In accordance with subparagraph (a), the Secretary shall award—
planning grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to enable such entities to develop a comprehensive State plan described in section 5; and
implementation grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities and without regard to whether the entities have received a planning grant under paragraph (1), to implement a comprehensive State plan described in section 5.
Limitation— A State or a consortium of States shall not have more than 1 planning grant or more than 1 implementation grant at any given time. A State or a consortium of States awarded a planning grant or an implementation grant may reapply for such grant after the termination of such grant.
Duration—
Planning grants— Each planning grant awarded under subsection (b)(1) shall be for a period of not more than 18 months.
Implementation grants—
In general— Each implementation grant awarded under subsection (b)(2) shall be for a period of not more than 5 years, subject to the requirement under subparagraph (B).
Sufficient progress— An implementation grant awarded under subsection (b)(2) shall terminate after a period of 2 years, if the Secretary determines that the eligible entity receiving such implementation grant has not made sufficient progress in—
implementing a comprehensive State plan described in section 5, at a rate that the Secretary determines will result in complete implementation of such plan during the remainder of the grant period; and
meeting the annual targets under section 7.
5. Comprehensive State plan
In general— To carry out the objectives of this Act, an eligible entity that receives a grant under this Act shall develop, in the case of a planning grant, and implement, in the case of an implementation grant, a comprehensive State plan to—
enhance the affordability of postsecondary education; and
increase the number and percentage of students attaining a postsecondary credential, particularly first generation college students and low-income students.
Reforms—
Universally required reforms— The comprehensive State plan for each eligible entity receiving a grant under this Act shall include each of the following reforms:
Increasing the transparency of information provided to students and the families of such students about the costs and outcomes of attaining a postsecondary credential in each State participating in the eligible entity, and increasing access to such information for students and their families, by taking measures that shall include—
requiring the institutions of higher education in each State participating in the eligible entity to adopt a net price calculator under section 132(h) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1015a(h)) that meets the requirements of paragraph (4);
adopting a common letter developed by the Secretary under section 484(a) of the Higher Education Opportunity Act (20 U.S.C. 1092 note) for institutions of higher education in each State participating in the eligible entity to use in awarding financial aid to students;
enhancing the financial literacy of students and the families of such students regarding the costs of postsecondary education and financial aid opportunities, beginning when such students enter secondary school;
reporting accurate student graduation rates for institutions of higher education in each State participating in the eligible entity, disaggregated by status as a full-time student, or a part-time student, and status as a transfer student;
developing practices for the continuous assessment of student learning at the postsecondary level and public reporting of student learning outcomes;
developing multi-year tuition and fee schedules; and
providing free degree audits to students residing in each State participating in the eligible entity.
Implementing measures to maintain or increase fiscal support for postsecondary education that shall include—
increasing need-based grant aid for postsecondary education; and
restricting the increase in tuition at public institutions of higher education in each State participating in the eligible entity to a rate that is below the rate of inflation.
Selective reforms— The comprehensive State plan of each eligible entity receiving a grant under this Act shall include 1 or more of the following reforms, as chosen by such eligible entity in accordance with paragraph (3):
Removing barriers to innovation in postsecondary education that shall include—
developing innovative education delivery models, such as using technology to enhance online and classroom learning aimed to increase participation and retention of students, particularly first generation college students and low-income students;
promoting the use of technology to increase personalized learning, advising, and support services for students; and
creating programs to create and expand the use of open educational resources.
Improving the transition of students to and from postsecondary institutions and increasing the rate of graduation of students from postsecondary institutions, particularly such students graduating on time, by—
increasing participation in accelerated learning models, which may include—
subsidizing the cost of advanced placement program examinations for low-income students;
training teachers to offer advanced placement program courses;
subsidizing the cost of international baccalaureate examinations and programs for low-income students;
increasing access to dual enrollment programs for low-income students; and
developing programs to bring advanced placement program courses to rural schools;
reforming postsecondary remediation by taking measures, which may include—
reducing the need for remediation, by creating targeted inventions to occur in secondary school or adult education that align with higher education and waiving placement testing;
improving the quality of remediation courses and developmental education based on emerging research-based practices; and
improving the process for identifying the foundational skills needs of students for remediation or developmental education while such students are in secondary school or adult education;
improving the credit transfer policies and articulation agreements, as defined in section 486A(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1093a(a)), between or among institutions of higher education in each State participating in the eligible entity; and
incentivizing institutions of higher education in each State participating in the eligible entity to increase the number and percentage of Federal Pell Grant recipients who attain a postsecondary credential at such institutions of higher education.
Requirement for selecting reforms— An eligible entity receiving a grant under this Act shall only select a reform under paragraph (2) that each State participating in the eligible entity does not have in place on the date on which such eligible entity receives such grant.
Requirements for net price calculator— The net price calculator, adopted under paragraph (1)(A)(i) by each institution of higher education in each State participating in an eligible entity, shall meet each of the following requirements:
The link to the net price calculator made publicly available on the website of such institution—
shall be labeled as a “net price calculator” in a prominent, clear, and conspicuous manner, using a size and contrast (such as shade) that is readily noticeable and readable;
shall be posted on the website of such institution in locations that provide information on costs and aid (such as web pages for financial aid, prospective students, or tuition and fees);
shall match in size and font to the other prominent links on the primary web page of such website; and
may be included on the web page of such institution that contains information relating to compliance with Federal, State, and local laws.
The results screen for the net price calculator shall specify each of the following:
The individual net price (as calculated under section 132(h)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1015a(h)(2))) for an individual student, which shall be the most visually prominent figure on such screen.
The cost of attendance at such institution of higher education for a first-time, full-time undergraduate student enrolled in the institution, including—
tuition and fees;
the average annual cost of room and board;
the average annual cost of books and supplies; and
the estimated cost of other expenses (including personal expenses and transportation).
The estimated total need-based grant aid and merit-based grant aid, from Federal, State, and institutional sources, that may be available to an individual student, showing the subtotal for each such category and the total of all sources of grant aid.
The percentage of the first-time, full-time undergraduate students enrolled in the institution that received any type of grant aid described in clause (iii).
The disclaimer described in section 132(h)(4) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1015a(h)(4)).
In the case of a calculator that—
includes questions to estimate the eligibility of a student (or prospective student) for veteran's education benefits (as defined in section 480(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1956 (20 U.S.C. 1087vv(c))) or educational benefits for active duty service members, the results screen shall display such benefits in a manner that clearly distinguishes them from the grant aid described in clause (iii); or
does not include questions to estimate eligibility for the benefits described in subclause (I), the results screen shall indicate that certain students (or prospective students) may qualify for such benefits and include a link to information about such benefits.
The institution shall populate the calculator with data from not earlier than 2 academic years prior to the most recent academic year completed on the date of enactment of this Act.
The net price calculator shall clearly indicate which questions are required to be answered for a net price estimate.
In the case of a calculator that requests contact information from users, the net price calculator shall clearly indicate that such request is “optional”.
The net price calculator shall protect the confidentiality of users by including mechanisms to prevent any personally identifiable information from being sold or made available to third parties. The net price calculator shall clearly state: “Any information that you provide on this site is confidential.”.
The net price calculator shall not store responses, shall not require any personal identifying information from users, and shall clearly state: “The Net Price Calculator does not store your responses and does not require personal identifying information of any kind.”.
6. Applications
Submission— An eligible entity desiring a planning grant or an implementation grant under this Act shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require.
Contents for all grants— Each application for a planning grant or an implementation grant under this Act shall include, at a minimum, a demonstration that the eligible entity—
has established mechanisms and the ability to use funds made available under this Act and other sources of funding, including Federal, State, and local funds, to implement the reforms under section 5(b); and
will include, in carrying the reforms under section 5(b), all public institutions of higher education within each State participating in the eligible entity and all State agencies with governing authority over postsecondary education in each such State.
Planning grants— An application for a planning grant awarded under section 4(b)(1) shall include, in addition to the requirements described in subsection (b)—
a proposal describing how the eligible entity will develop and establish a comprehensive State plan to implement the reforms under section 5(b);
a description of how the eligible entity will include, in developing the comprehensive State plan—
all public institutions of higher education in each State participating in the eligible entity;
private nonprofit organizations that choose to participate in the development of such plan;
each State educational agency and local educational agency (as such terms are defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)) in each State participating in the eligible entity; and
other stakeholders, as designated by the Governor of each State participating in the eligible entity; and
a description of the State agencies and other entities that the Governor of each State participating in the eligible entity has determined will control the programs funded by the grant and how such entities will interact in carrying out the activities of the planning grant.
Implementation grants— An application for an implementation grant awarded under section 4(b)(2) shall include, in addition to the requirements described in subsection (b)—
a proposal describing how the eligible entity will use the implementation grant to—
carry out the reforms under section 5(b), in accordance with the comprehensive State plan; and
meet the annual targets established by the eligible entity under section 7, at a rate that the Secretary determines will result in reaching the goals of the grant established by such eligible entity under such section; and
a description of the State agencies and other entities that the Governor of each State participating in the eligible entity has determined will control the programs funded by the grant and how such entities will interact in carrying out the activities of the implementation grant.
Application review—
In general— The Secretary shall award grants under this Act on a competitive basis considering the quality of the applications submitted.
Publication of explanation— The Secretary shall prepare and submit to Congress and publish on the website of the Department of Education an explanation of the application process, including the fairness, equity, transparency, and objectivity of the process.
Priority— In awarding grants under this Act, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that show a stronger capacity to use the funds made available under this Act to implement a comprehensive State plan under section 5.
7. Performance indicators; annual targets; goals
In general— Each eligible entity receiving a planning grant under this Act, or each eligible entity described in subsection (c) that is applying for an implementation grant under this Act, shall establish, subject to approval by the Secretary—
performance indicators that measure the progress of such eligible entity in each of the areas described in subsection (b);
annual targets, for the programs and activities carried out under this Act, that will enable such eligible entity to reach the goals under paragraph (3); and
goals, to be met by such eligible entity at the end of the implementation grant period, for achieving progress in each of the areas described in subsection (b).
Progress areas— The performance indicators, annual targets, and goals described in subsection (a) shall, at a minimum, track the progress of the eligible entity in each of the following areas:
Implementing the reforms under section 5(b).
Increasing—
the student graduation rate of first generation college students and low-income students at institutions of higher education; and
the number and percentage of students from community colleges and postsecondary vocational institutions who transfer to a 4-year institution of higher education and attain a baccalaureate degree.
Reducing the net price of attaining a postsecondary credential.
Implementation grants— An eligible entity that has received a planning grant under this Act may use the performance indicators, annual targets, and goals developed by such entity using the funds of such planning grant to apply for and carry out the activities of an implementation grant under this Act. An eligible entity that has not received a planning grant under this Act shall establish performance indicators, annual targets, and goals described in subsection (a) prior to applying for an implementation grant under this Act and verify such establishment in the application for such implementation grant.
8. Uses of funds
In general— An eligible entity receiving funds from a grant under this Act shall use such funds to carry out the activities of the grant.
Prohibitions— An eligible entity receiving funds from a grant under this Act shall not use such funds to—
promote any lender's loans; or
compensate for a decrease in State appropriations for higher education.
Terminated grants— If an implementation grant is terminated under section 4(d)(2)(B), the eligible entity that received such grant shall return any unused funds of the grant to the Secretary. The Secretary shall use such funds to—
increase funds made available to other grants awarded under this Act; or
award additional grants to other eligible entities.
9. Reports and evaluation
Reports—
In general— An eligible entity that receives an implementation grant under this Act shall submit to the Secretary an annual report that, at a minimum, includes—
data on the progress of such eligible entity in achieving the annual targets established under section 7; and
a description of the challenges that such eligible entity has faced in carrying out the grant and how such eligible entity has addressed or plans to address such challenges.
Evaluation— The Secretary shall—
acting through the Director of the Institute of Education Sciences, evaluate the implementation and impact of the activities carried out by this Act; and
disseminate research on best practices for carrying out activities to achieve the objectives of this Act.
10. Supplement and not supplant
The funds authorized under this Act shall supplement, and not supplant, other Federal, State, and local funds that are available to enhance the affordability of attaining a postsecondary credential and increase the student graduation rates for institutions of higher education.
11. Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.