[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4983 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4983
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 24, 2014
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To simplify and streamline the information regarding institutions of
higher education made publicly available by the Secretary of Education,
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Strengthening Transparency 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)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``first-time,'';
(B) in paragraph (3) in the matter preceding
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 redesignated) 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
most recent academic year for which satisfactory data are
available, the following information with respect to each
institution of higher education that participates in a program
under title IV:
``(A) A link to the website of the institution.
``(B) An identification of the type of institution
as one of the following:
``(i) A four-year public institution of
higher education.
``(ii) A four-year private, nonprofit
institution 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
institution of higher education.
``(vi) A two-year private, for-profit
institution of higher education.
``(vii) A less than two-year public
institution of higher education.
``(viii) A less than two-year private,
nonprofit institution of higher education.
``(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 applicable.
``(D) The student-faculty ratio.
``(E) The percentage of degree-seeking or
certificate-seeking undergraduate students enrolled at
the institution who obtain a degree or certificate
within--
``(i) 100 percent of 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 receiving Federal student
financial aid under title IV based on an income
category selected by the user from a list containing
the following income categories:
``(i) $0 to $30,000.
``(ii) $30,001 to $48,000.
``(iii) $48,001 to $75,000.
``(iv) $75,001 to $110,000.
``(v) $110, 001 to $150,000.
``(vi) Over $150,000.
``(G) A link to the net price calculator for such
institution.
``(H) The percentage of undergraduate students who
obtained a certificate or degree from the institution
who borrowed Federal student loans and the average
Federal student loan debt incurred by an undergraduate
student who obtained a certificate or degree from the
institution and borrowed Federal student loans in the
course of obtaining such certificate or degree.
``(I) A link to national and regional data from the
Bureau of Labor Statistics on starting salaries in all
major occupations.
``(J) A link to the webpage of the institution
containing campus safety data with respect to such
institution.
``(2) Additional information.--The Secretary 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
respect to each institution of higher education that
participates in a program under title IV:
``(A) Enrollment.--
``(i) The percentages of male and female
undergraduate students enrolled at the
institution.
``(ii) The percentages of undergraduate
students enrolled at the institution--
``(I) full-time; and
``(II) less than full-time.
``(iii) In the case of an institution other
than an institution that provides all courses
and programs through distance education, of the
undergraduate students enrolled at the
institution--
``(I) the percentage of such
students who are from the State in
which the institution is located;
``(II) the percentage of such
students who are from other States; and
``(III) the percentage of such
students who are international
students.
``(iv) The percentages of undergraduate
students enrolled at the institution,
disaggregated by--
``(I) race and ethnic background;
``(II) classification as a student
with a disability;
``(III) recipients of a Federal
Pell Grant;
``(IV) recipients of assistance
under a tuition assistance program
conducted by the Department of Defense
under section 1784a or 2007 of title
10, United States Code, or other
authorities available to the Department
of Defense or veterans' education
benefits (as defined in section 480);
and
``(V) recipients of a Federal
student loan.
``(B) Completion.--The information required 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 Unsubsidized
Stafford Loan) who did not receive a Federal
Pell Grant;
``(iii) persons who did not receive a
Federal Pell Grant or a loan made under part D
(other than a Federal Direct Unsubsidized
Stafford Loan);
``(iv) race and ethnic background;
``(v) classification as a student with a
disability; and
``(vi) recipients of assistance under a
tuition assistance program conducted by the
Department of Defense under section 1784a or
2007 of title 10, United States Code, or other
authorities available to the Department of
Defense or veterans' education benefits (as
defined in section 480).
``(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
undergraduate students enrolled in the
institution less than full time.
``(v) In the case of a public institution
of higher education (other than an institution
described in clause (vi)) 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
residents of such State.
``(vi) In the case of a public institution
of higher education that offers different
tuition rates for students who are residents of
a geographic subdivision smaller than a State
and students not located in such geographic
subdivision and notwithstanding subsection
(b)(1), the costs described in clauses (i) and
(ii) for--
``(I) full-time students enrolled
at the institution who are residents of
such geographic subdivision;
``(II) full-time students enrolled
at the institution who are residents of
the State in which the institution is
located but not residents of such
geographic subdivision; and
``(III) full-time students enrolled
at the institution who are not
residents of such State.
``(D) Financial aid.--
``(i) The average annual grant amount
(including Federal, State, and institutional
aid) awarded to an undergraduate student
enrolled at the institution who receives
financial aid.
``(ii) The percentage of undergraduate
students enrolled at the institution receiving
Federal, State, and institutional 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.
``(iii) The cohort default rate (as defined
in section 435(m)) for such institution.
``(E) Faculty information.--
``(i) The ratio of the number of course
sections taught by part-time instructors to the
number of course sections taught by full-time
faculty, disaggregated by course sections
intended primarily for undergraduate students
and course sections intended primarily for
graduate students.
``(ii) The mean and median years of
employment for part-time instructors.
``(3) Other data matters.--
``(A) Completion data.--The Commissioner of
Education Statistics shall ensure that 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 and students who transfer to another
institution, in a manner that the Commissioner
considers appropriate.
``(B) Adjustment of income categories.--The
Secretary may annually adjust the range of each of the
income categories described in paragraph (1)(F) 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 Secretary shall
include on the College Dashboard website a method for users to
easily compare the information required under paragraphs (1)
and (2) between institutions.
``(5) Updates.--
``(A) Data.--The Secretary shall update the College
Dashboard website not less than annually.
``(B) Technology and format.--The Secretary shall
regularly assess the format and technology of the
College Dashboard website and make any changes or
updates that the Secretary considers appropriate.
``(6) Consumer testing.--
``(A) In general.--In developing and maintaining
the College Dashboard website, the Secretary, in
consultation with appropriate departments and agencies
of the Federal Government, shall conduct consumer
testing with appropriate persons, including current and
prospective college students, family members of such
students, institutions of higher education, and
experts, to ensure that the College Dashboard website
is usable and easily understandable and provides useful
and relevant information to students and families.
``(B) Recommendations for changes.--The Secretary
shall submit to the authorizing committees any
recommendations that the Secretary considers
appropriate for changing the information required to be
provided on the College Dashboard website under
paragraphs (1) and (2) based on the results of the
consumer testing conducted under subparagraph (A).
``(7) Provision of appropriate links to prospective
students after submission of FAFSA.--The Secretary shall
provide to each student that submits a Free Application for
Federal Student Aid described in section 483 a link to the
webpage of the College Dashboard website that contains the
information required under paragraph (1) for each institution
of higher education such student includes on such Application.
``(8) Interagency coordination.--The Secretary, 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 published by such department or agency is
consistent 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 Education 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.
(d) College Navigator Website Maintenance.--The Secretary shall
maintain the College Navigator 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 Dashboard website referred to in subsection (c)
is complete and publicly available on the Internet.
SEC. 3. NET PRICE CALCULATORS.
Subsection (c) of section 132 of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1015a), as redesignated by section 2(a)(4) of this Act, is
amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (6); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new
paragraphs:
``(4) Minimum requirements for net price calculators.--Not
later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of the
Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act, a net price
calculator for an institution of higher education shall meet
the following requirements:
``(A) The link for the calculator shall--
``(i) be clearly labeled as a net price
calculator and prominently, clearly, and
conspicuously posted in locations on the
website of such institution where information
on costs and aid is provided and any other
location that the institution considers
appropriate; and
``(ii) match in size and font to the other
prominent links on the webpage where the link
for the calculator is displayed.
``(B) The webpage displaying the results for the
calculator shall specify at least the following
information:
``(i) The net price (as calculated under
subsection (a)(2)) for such institution, which
shall be the most visually prominent figure on
the results screen.
``(ii) Cost of attendance, including--
``(I) tuition and fees;
``(II) average annual cost of room
and board for the institution for a
full-time undergraduate student
enrolled in the institution;
``(III) average annual cost of
books and supplies for a full-time
undergraduate student enrolled in the
institution; and
``(IV) estimated cost of other
expenses (including personal expenses
and transportation) for a full-time
undergraduate student enrolled in the
institution.
``(iii) Estimated total need-based grant
aid and merit-based grant aid from Federal,
State, and institutional sources that may be
available to a full-time undergraduate student.
``(iv) Percentage of the full-time
undergraduate students enrolled in the
institution that received any type of grant aid
described in clause (iii).
``(v) The disclaimer described in paragraph
(6).
``(vi) In the case of a calculator that--
``(I) includes questions to
estimate the eligibility of a student
or prospective student for veterans'
education benefits (as defined in
section 480) or educational benefits
for active duty service members, such
benefits are displayed on the results
screen in a manner that clearly
distinguishes such benefits from the
grant aid described in clause (iii); or
``(II) does not include questions
to estimate eligibility for the
benefits described in subclause (I),
the results screen indicates that
certain students (or prospective
students) may qualify for such benefits
and includes a link to information
about such benefits.
``(C) The institution shall populate the calculator
with data from an academic year that is not more than 2
academic years prior to the most recent academic year.
``(5) Prohibition on use of data collected by the net price
calculator.--A net price calculator for an institution of
higher education shall--
``(A) clearly indicate which questions are required
to be completed for an estimate of the net price from
the calculator;
``(B) in the case of a calculator that requests
contact information from users, clearly mark such
requests as optional and provide for an estimate of the
net price from the calculator without requiring users
to enter such information; and
``(C) prohibit any personally identifiable
information provided by users from being sold or made
available to third parties.''.
SEC. 4. FUNDING.
(a) Use of Existing Funds.--Of the amount authorized to be
appropriated to the Department of Education to maintain the College
Navigator website, $1,000,000 shall be available to carry out this Act
and the amendments made by this Act.
(b) No Additional Funds Authorized.--No funds are authorized by
this Act to be appropriated to carry out this Act or the amendments
made by this Act.
Passed the House of Representatives July 23, 2014.
Attest:
KAREN L. HAAS,
Clerk.