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Title II — community college student success program

S. 5029 · 116th Congress · Dec 16, 2020 · Lineage

II community college student success program

Sec. 201 Definitions

In this title:
(1)
Part time community college student success program— The term part time community college student success program means a program carried out by an eligible institution under which the eligible institution carries out the following:
(A)
Provides students participating in such program with an amount that covers the cost of tuition and fees that are not covered by any Federal, State, or institutional financial assistance received by the student.
(B)
Requires students participating in such program to—
(i)
be enrolled in not less than 12 credits at the eligible institution as a degree-seeking student during each fall and spring semester (or equivalent terms) during which the student participates in such program;
(ii)
if the student is referred to remedial or corequisite courses or on academic probation, meet, not less than on a weekly basis, with a tutor or appropriate academic support, except that in the case of a student who is academically struggling, but who is not referred to remedial courses or on academic probation, the student may meet with a tutor as often as the program advisor for such student requires;
(iii)
meet with a program advisor—
(I)
twice each month during the first semester (or equivalent term) of participation in such program; and
(II)
as directed by the program advisor in subsequent semesters (or equivalent terms) under subparagraph (C)(ii); and
(iv)
meet with a career advisor or participate in a career services event not less than once each semester (or equivalent term).
(C)
Provides a program advisor to each student participating in such program who—
(i)
provides comprehensive academic, career, and personal advising to the student, such as—
(I)
the creation and implementation of an academic plan for the student to graduate from a program of study at the eligible institution within 150 percent of the normal time for graduation from such program;
(II)
if an eligible student is referred to remedial or corequisite courses, taking steps to enable the student to complete college mathematics and English within the first 30 credit hours; and
(III)
assisting the student with developing and achieving academic goals, including creating strong transfer pathways that demonstrate programmatic transfer for students interested in transferring to a 4-year institution of higher education;
(ii)
after the student participating in such program completes a semester (or equivalent term), creates for the student a needs-based advising schedule that indicates, based on the student’s academic performance, the frequency with which such student shall be required to meet with a program advisor for each subsequent semester (or equivalent term) of program participation;
(iii)
has a caseload of not more than 300 students;
(iv)
tracks the attendance of the student at the meetings described in clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv) of subparagraph (B);
(v)
monitors the academic progress of the student; and
(vi)
provides each student who meets the requirements of subparagraph (B), on not less than a monthly basis, with financial incentives, such as a transportation pass, a gas card, or a grocery card.
(D)
Provides tutoring, academic support, and career services at no cost to students participating in such program, and may reserve places in select courses for such students in order to create community within cohorts of students.
(E)
Provides information to eligible students participating in such program about the eligibility of such students for assistance under the supplemental nutrition assistance program under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) and the program of block grants for States for temporary assistance for needy families established under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).
(2)
Eligible student— The term eligible student means a student enrolled at an eligible institution who—
(A)
on the date such eligible student would begin participation in a part time community college student success program at such eligible institution—
(i)
is enrolled in a program of study leading to an associate degree that prepares students to transfer to a 4-year institution of higher education or advance in the labor market; and
(ii)
is—
(I)
a first-time undergraduate student; or
(II)
a continuing or transfer student with not more than 15 credits and a minimum grade point average of 2.0 (or its equivalent);
(B)
completes not less than 24 credits, at least 20 of which must be degree-applicable, at the eligible institution as a degree-seeking student during each academic year during which the student participates in the part time community college student success program;
(C)
if the student is eligible for financial aid under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.), has completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or other common financial reporting form under section 483(a) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1090(a)); and
(D)
meets any other requirements established by the institution.
(3)
Minority-serving institution— The term minority-serving institution means an institution described in section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)).

Sec. 202 Part time community college student success grant program authorized

From the amounts appropriated under section 209, the Secretary of Education shall establish and carry out the part time community college student success grant program to award grants under sections 203 and 204, on a competitive basis, to eligible institutions to plan and implement part time community college student success programs for eligible students that are designed to increase—
(1)
the rate at which program participants graduate from a program of study at such eligible institution within 150 percent of the normal time for graduation;
(2)
transfer rates of program participants; and
(3)
the number of credits that a program participant takes that apply to a degree in the participant's desired major.

Sec. 203 Grants to plan part time community college student success programs

(a)
Planning grants authorized— From the amounts appropriated to carry out this section under section 209 for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall award planning grants for such fiscal year, on a competitive basis, to eligible institutions to develop plans for part time community college student success programs.
(b)
Duration— A grant awarded under this section shall be for a 1-year period.
(c)
Peer review process; priority— In awarding grants under this section for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall—
(1)
carry out a peer review process that—
(A)
requires that each application submitted under subsection (d) be peer reviewed by a panel of readers composed of individuals selected by the Secretary, which shall include—
(i)
not less than 50 percent of readers—
(I)
who are not employees of the Federal Government; and
(II)
who have relevant research or practical experience with respect to student support programs designed to increase graduation rates and transfer rates at public 2-year institutions of higher education; and
(ii)
to the maximum extent practicable, individuals who are members of groups underrepresented in higher education, including African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, and Native American Pacific Islanders (including Native Hawaiians), and individuals with disabilities; and
(B)
ensures that no individual assigned under subparagraph (A) to review an application has any conflict of interest with regard to that application that may make the individual unable to impartially conduct such review; and
(2)
give priority to eligible institutions that are eligible to receive funding under title III or V of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1051 et seq.; 20 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.).
(d)
Application— An eligible institution desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, which shall include—
(1)
the graduation rate, the number of credits completed (disaggregated by remedial credits and college-level credits for each program of study), and the transfer rate for the most recent academic year for which data are available for eligible students and all students, respectively;
(2)
an analysis of how implementing a community college student success program may improve the graduation rate or transfer rate for eligible students; and
(3)
a description of the methods the eligible institution has previously used to improve the graduation rate or transfer rate with respect to eligible students and all students, respectively.
(e)
Use of funds— An eligible institution that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant to develop a plan to implement a part time community college student success program at the eligible institution for eligible students.
(f)
Report— Not later than 1 year after the date on which an eligible institution receives a grant under this section, such eligible institution shall submit to the Secretary a report that includes—
(1)
a plan for implementing a community college student success program at the eligible institution, including—
(A)
the sufficiently ambitious outcome goals for achieving significant improvements in graduation rates and transfer rates for program participants and all students, respectively, as such rates are defined by the eligible institution, in consultation with the Secretary, before the end of the grant period;
(B)
the number of such eligible students who will participate in such program, including—
(i)
how such eligible students will be identified, referred, and selected, in cases where the interest in the program is larger than the budget for the program; and
(ii)
a plan to ensure that economically disadvantaged students receive priority;
(C)
based on the most recent academic year for which data are available, disaggregated by eligible students and all students—
(i)
graduation rates;
(ii)
transfer rates; and
(iii)
average number of credits earned, including remedial and college-level credits, by associate degree earners;
(D)
an analysis of the financial needs of eligible students based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid;
(E)
a description of how the eligible institution will effectively staff a community college student success program; and
(F)
a timeline for the implementation of such program;
(2)
a budgetary analysis that includes—
(A)
a description of how the eligible institution will provide non-Federal funds for such program under section 204(d); and
(B)
a description of how the eligible institution will continue to fund such program after the end of the grant period for the grant awarded to the institution under section 204; and
(3)
such other information as the Secretary may require.

Sec. 204 Grants to implement part time community college student success programs

(a)
Implementation grants authorized—
(1)
In general— From the amounts appropriated to carry out this section under section 209 for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall award grants for such fiscal year, on a competitive basis, to eligible institutions awarded a grant under section 203 to implement part time community college student success programs.
(2)
Consultation— In awarding grants under this section for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall consult with the independent evaluator described in section 205(a) before finalizing which eligible institutions will receive such a grant for such fiscal year.
(b)
Requirements for selection— To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an eligible institution shall meet the following requirements:
(1)
The eligible institution was awarded a grant under section 203 not less than 1 year before such eligible institution submits an application under subsection (e).
(2)
The eligible institution submits an application under subsection (e).
(3)
The eligible institution demonstrates, on the date of the application described in subsection (e), the availability of non-Federal funding for the matching funds required under subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of subsection (d)(1).
(c)
Duration— A grant awarded under this section shall be for a 5-year period.
(d)
Non-Federal contribution—
(1)
In general— Except as provided in paragraph (2), an eligible institution awarded a grant under this section shall contribute in cash from non-Federal sources the following:
(A)
For the second year of the grant period, an amount equal to 10 percent of the cost of carrying out the part time community college student success program for eligible students at the institution for such year.
(B)
For each of the third year through fifth years of the grant period, an amount equal to 20 percent of the cost of carrying out such program for the applicable year.
(2)
Exception—
(A)
In general— Notwithstanding (1), with respect to an exempt institution awarded a grant under this section, for each year of the grant period beginning with the second year through the fifth year, the Secretary shall not require the institution to make a cash contribution from non-Federal sources in an amount that is greater than the amount equal to 5 percent of the cost of carrying out the part time community college student success program at the institution for such year.
(B)
Definitions— For purposes of this paragraph:
(i)
Exempt institution— The term exempt institution means an eligible institution that is—
(I)
a Tribal College or University; or
(II)
an institution located in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau.
(ii)
Tribal College or University— The term Tribal College or University has the meaning given the term in section 316 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c).
(e)
Application— An eligible institution desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, which shall include a copy of the report described in section 203(f).
(f)
Required use of funds— An eligible institution that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant funds to—
(1)
implement a part time community college student success program; and
(2)
regularly review—
(A)
data to monitor the academic progress of eligible students participating in such program; and
(B)
the meeting and program participation requirements described in section 201(1).
(g)
Permissible use of funds— An eligible institution that receives a grant under this section may use the grant to—
(1)
establish or expand a data tracking system that includes early alerts to complete the regular reviews required under subsection (f)(2);
(2)
provide eligible students participating in the part time community college student success program for which the grant is awarded with financial assistance to cover the costs described in paragraph (2), (3), or (8) of section 472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087ll);
(3)
establish or expand career development services for such eligible students, such as career workshops or career counseling;
(4)
establish or expand tutoring and academic support services for such eligible students;
(5)
cover the costs of employment of administrators for the program whose sole job shall be to administer the program, without regard to whether the employment is full-time or less than full-time; and
(6)
provide financial support for such eligible students participating in such program to enroll in courses offered during enrollment periods that are outside the fall and spring semesters (or equivalent terms).
(h)
Reports—
(1)
In General— Using the postsecondary student data system established under section 132(1) or a successor system (whichever includes the most recent data) to streamline reporting requirements and minimize reporting burdens, and in coordination with the National Center for Education Statistics, the Secretary shall, on at least an annual basis, collect data with respect to each community college student success program, including the data described in paragraph (2).
(2)
Data submitted by eligible institutions— Each eligible institution that receives a grant under this title shall provide the following to the Secretary:
(A)
On an annual basis, such information as may be necessary for the Secretary to collect data about—
(i)
the demographic characteristics of the eligible students participating in the part time community college student success program;
(ii)
the average number of credits attempted and average number of credits earned, rate of retention, rate of degree completion, and transfer rates of such eligible students; and
(iii)
the graduation rate of such eligible students.
(B)
An annual performance report for each year of the grant period that includes—
(i)
an analysis of the implementation and progress of such program based on the ambitious outcome goals described in the report submitted by the institution under section 203(f)(1)(A), including challenges to and changes made to such program;
(ii)
if according to the analysis under subparagraph (A), the program is not on track to meet such ambitious outcome goals, a description of the plans to adjust the program to improve the performance of the program;
(iii)
the participation of such eligible students in tutoring, academic support, career services, and meetings with program advisors; and
(iv)
when data is available, information that will allow for a comparison of the data collected for such year under this subparagraph with such data collected for each of the 2 years preceding the date on which the grant was awarded.
(C)
Not later than 6 years after the date on which the eligible institution received such grant, a final report to the Secretary that includes an analysis of—
(i)
the factors that contributed to the success or failure of the community college student success program in meeting the ambitious outcome goals described in the report submitted by the institution under section 203(f)(1)(A);
(ii)
the challenges faced in attempting to implement such program;
(iii)
information on how to improve such program;
(iv)
whether the program has created an institution-wide reform with respect to graduate rates and transfer rates for all students, and if so, how such reform was created; and
(v)
how the eligible institution will continue to fund such program after the end of the grant period.

Sec. 205 Evaluations

(a)
Independent evaluations— Before finalizing which eligible institutions will receive grants under section 204 for a fiscal year, the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Institute of Education Sciences, shall enter into a contract with an independent evaluator—
(1)
to consult with the Secretary on which eligible institutions should receive the grants; and
(2)
to use the What Works Clearinghouse Standards (without reservations) to evaluate, throughout the duration of the grant period of such grants—
(A)
each part time community college student success program for eligible students for which such grant is awarded, including whether the program met its ambitious outcome goals described in the report submitted by the institution under section 203(f)(1)(A);
(B)
the average impact of part time community college student success programs on graduation rates, the average number of credits per associate degree awarded, and transfer rates for eligible students;
(C)
the variation in program impacts across eligible institutions with respect to such rates; and
(D)
whether such programs lead to higher graduation rates and transfer rates of eligible students per dollar spent for such students by such institutions compared with such rates at eligible institutions without such programs.
(b)
Results of evaluations— The results of the evaluations under subsection (a) shall be made publicly available on the website of the Department of Education.
(c)
Funding for evaluations— The Secretary may reserve not more than 15 percent of the funds appropriated under section 209 for a fiscal year to carry out this section for such fiscal year.

Sec. 206 Outreach and technical assistance

(a)
Outreach— The Secretary shall conduct outreach activities to notify eligible institutions of the availability of grants under this title.
(b)
Technical assistance— The Secretary shall provide technical assistance—
(1)
to eligible institutions that may be interested in applying for grants under this title, including assistance with applications for such grants; and
(2)
to eligible institutions awarded grants under this title, including assistance with—
(A)
establishing ambitious outcome goals described in section 203(f)(1)(A); and
(B)
the implementation of a part time community college student success program.
(c)
Funding for technical assistance for evaluations— The Secretary may reserve not more than 7 percent of the funds appropriated under section 209 for a fiscal year for technical assistance under this section for such fiscal year.

Sec. 207 Report to Congress

Not later than 1 year after the date on which the Secretary receives the final evaluation results under section 205 for eligible institutions that were awarded grants under section 204 for the same fiscal year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that includes—
(1)
the number of grants awarded under section 204 for such fiscal year, and the amount of such grants;
(2)
the number of grants awarded under section 203 to eligible institutions that received or would have been eligible for the grants described in paragraph (1), and the amount of such grants;
(3)
the number of grants awarded under section 203 to eligible institutions that would have been eligible but did not receive the grants described in paragraph (1);
(4)
such final evaluation results; and
(5)
any other information the Secretary may determine is relevant.

Sec. 208 Supplement, not supplant

Funds awarded to an eligible institution under this title shall be used only to supplement the amount of funds that would, in the absence of the Federal funds provided under this title, be made available from non-Federal sources or other Federal sources to carry out the activities under this title, and not to supplant such funds.

Sec. 209 Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title $5,000,000,000 for fiscal years 2021 through 2031, to be available until expended.