,,ii #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #ahhd ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,december #bj1 #bjac,mr4 ,merkley introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to establish a ,pay ,it ,forward model for funding postsecondary education4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,pay ,it ,forward ,college ,affordability ,act of #bjac4 #b4 ,findings2 ,purpose 7a7 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,postsecondary education has expanded opportunities for people in the ,united ,states to qualify for high-quality jobs and entry into the middle class1 providing clear benefits to the ,nation's economy4 7#b7 ,public investment by the ,states in higher education has decreased significantly1 especially in the past #e years before the date of enactment of this ,act1 as a result of the #bjjh fiscal collapse4 7#c7 ,with college costs rising beyond the reach of many people in the ,united ,states1 financial aid programs are inadequate to reach all students with financial need4 7#d7 ,the increasing unaffordability of a college education has forced students to borrow more money to pay for higher education1 causing two-thirds of college seniors to graduate with an average student debt of #bf1fjj4 7#e7 ,high levels of student debt are damaging not only to the individual student's ability to succeed financially but also will have grave consequences for the future economy of the ,united ,states4 7#f7 ,congress must halt the decrease in ,state support for education and1 over time1 must catalyze increases in ,state funding for higher education4 7#g7 ,there is a need to encourage a new approach to financing the students' share of the cost of higher education that will not result in graduates who are overburdened with student debt4 7#h7 ,the ,pay ,it ,forward model presents a new opportunity for financing and expanding higher education1 through the replacement of tuition and mandatory fees with a post-graduation contribution program that establishes the funding for access to higher education for the next generational cohort of students4 7b7 ,purpose ,the purpose of this ,act is to test and encourage the development of ,pay ,it ,forward model financing programs4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,annual ,income ,the term annual income means an amount equal to the sum of-- 7,a7 annual adjusted gross income1 as defined in section #fb of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf2 and 7,b7 any amount described under section #ajc of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf4 7#b7 ,cost of attendance ,the term cost of attendance has the meaning given the term in section #dgb of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhgll74 7#c7 ,institution of ,higher ,education 7,a7 ,institution of higher education ,the term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section #ajb of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajjb71 except that for purposes of this ,act1 an institution of higher education does not include any program of postsecondary education or training1 including a degree or certificate program1 that is designed to prepare students for entry into a recognized occupation or profession that requires licensing or other established requirements as a pre-condition for entry into such occupation or profession1 unless-- 7i7 the successful completion of the program fully qualifies a student1 in the ,state in which the institution offering the program is located 7and in any ,state in which the institution indicates1 through advertising or marketing activities or direct contact with potential students1 that a student will be prepared to work in the occupation or profession after successfully completing the program71 to-- 7,i7 take any examination required for entry into the recognized occupation or profession in the ,state1 including satisfying all ,state or professionally mandated programmatic and specialized accreditation requirements1 if any2 and 7,,ii7 be certified or licensed or meet any other academically related pre-conditions that are required for entry into the recognized occupation or profession in the ,state2 7ii7 the institution offering the program provides timely placement for all of the academically related pre-licensure requirements for entry into the recognized occupation or profession in the ,state1 such as clinical placements1 internships1 or apprenticeships2 7iii7 in the case of ,state licensing or professionally mandated requirements for entry into the recognized occupation or profession in the ,state in which the institution offering the program is located 7and in any ,state in which the institution indicates1 through advertising or marketing activities or direct contact with potential students1 that a student will be prepared to work in the occupation or profession after successfully completing the program7 that require specialized accreditation-- 7,i7 the program meets that requirement for specialized accreditation through its accreditation or pre-accreditation by an accrediting agency or association recognized by the ,secretary of ,education as a reliable authority as to the quality or training offered by the institution in that program2 and 7,,ii7 if the program is in a pre-accredited1 probation1 or show cause status by an accrediting agency or association described in subclause 7,i71 and the requirement for specialized accreditation is for full accreditation1 the institution-- 7aa7 establishes1 to the satisfaction of the ,secretary of ,education1 that each student who enrolls before the program is fully accredited attests of being advised that the program is in a pre-accredited1 probation1 or show cause status and of being informed of the effect on the student's eligibility for assistance under this ,act and on the student's ability to satisfy ,state or professionally mandated requirements for entry into the recognized occupation or profession if full accreditation is delayed1 denied1 terminated1 or withdrawn2 and 7bb7 publicly and prominently discloses in any advertising1 marketing1 or recruitment materials and activities for the institution1 the institution's pre-accredited1 probation1 or show cause status and the implications of such status for prospective students2 and 7iv7 the institution-- 7,i7 discloses on the application to enroll in the institution that its program does not necessarily satisfy out-of-,state requirements1 if applicable2 and 7,,ii7 upon receipt of an application to enroll in the institution1 notifies the student1 prior to enrollment1 if the program in which the student intends to enroll does not satisfy the requirements of the ,state in which the student is a resident1 if applicable4 7,b7 ,school1 department1 or program ,the term institution of higher education may include a particular school1 department1 or program within an institution of higher education described in subparagraph 7,a74 7#d7 ,pay ,it ,forward model ,the term ,pay ,it ,forward model means a system in which-- 7,a7 the ,secretary1 a ,state1 or an institution of higher education pays all or part of a participating student's cost of attendance1 but not less than an amount equal to the cost of tuition and mandatory fees1 for each such student during some or all of the time that the student is enrolled at an institution of higher education in order to replace the student's need to borrow under the ,federal ,direct ,stafford ,loan and ,federal ,direct ,unsubsidized ,stafford ,loan ,programs under part ,d of title ,,iv of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhg;a et seq472 and 7,b7 such student signs a contract agreeing to contribute to the ,secretary1 a ,state1 or an institution of higher education1 as the case may be1 a certain percentage 7not to exceed #e percent7 of the student's annual income1 for a specified number of years upon graduation or when the student ceases to be enrolled at such institution of higher education1 except that the specified number of years for which the student agrees to contribute according to such contract shall not exceed #be years1 which shall be known as the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan4 7#e7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,education4 7#f7 ,tuition and mandatory fees ,the term tuition and mandatory fees means tuition and fees normally assessed a student carrying the same academic workload as determined by the institution of higher education4 #d4 ,initial ,studies 7a7 ,in ,general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,secretary of the ,treasury-- 7#a7 and the ,director of the ,consumer ,financial ,protection ,bureau1 shall conduct a study on the feasibility of1 and options for1 implementing the ,pay ,it ,forward model1 in a manner that is in the best interests of students2 and 7#b7 shall conduct a study-- 7,a7 on whether the student loan servicer payment program or the ,internal ,revenue ,service income tax withholding mechanism 7such as preauthorized automatic electronic funds transfers7 of collection for the ,pay ,it ,forward model would work best2 7,b7 on how best to establish a participant's agreement described under section #e7;g77#c71 or a similar agreement made under another ,pay ,it ,forward model1 including what percentage of a participant's income the participant should be required to contribute and what is an appropriate time period for contribution2 7,c7 on how the rates of contribution under the ,pay ,it ,forward model may differ-- 7i7 according to different income levels2 and 7ii7 based on whether the student pursues a graduate or professional education program immediately after completing their undergraduate education or at a future time2 7,d7 on how best to streamline the collection process and ensure compliance2 and 7,e7 on ways to prevent increases in tuition and other education costs4 7b7 ,report ,not later than #cj days after the completion of the studies described in subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall prepare and submit a report containing the results of the initial studies described in subsection 7a71 to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate1 the ,committee on ,banking1 ,housing1 and ,urban ,affairs of the ,senate1 the ,committee on ,finance of the ,senate1 the ,committee on ,education and the ,workforce of the ,house of ,representatives1 the ,committee on ,financial ,services of the ,house of ,representatives1 and the ,committee on ,ways and ,means of the ,house of ,representatives4 #e4 ,grants for ,state ,pay ,it ,forward ,pilot ,program 7a7 ,in ,general ,unless the ,secretary determines1 as a result of the initial studies described in section #d1 that the ,pay ,it ,forward model is not feasible or otherwise not in the public interest or in the best interest of students1 the ,secretary shall1 not later than #a year after the completion of such initial study1 award grants1 on a competitive basis1 to not more than #c ,states in the first #b years and not more than #g additional ,states in subsequent years 7while limiting the number of students participating to #ae1jjj annually in the first #b years and #ej1jjj annually in subsequent years in all ,states7 to enable such ,states to establish and carry out a ,pay ,it ,forward model ,state pilot program as described in subsection 7e74 7b7 ,application2 ,duration 7#a7 ,application ,each ,state that desires to receive a grant under this section shall submit an application to the ,secretary at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may reasonably require4 7#b7 ,duration ,grants awarded under this section shall be for a period of not less than #aj years and not more than #be years and the ,secretary shall make grant funds available to each ,state on an annual basis4 7c7 ,state contribution requirement ,a ,state receiving a grant under this section shall provide1 either directly or through private contributions1 non-,federal funds for each award year in an amount that is not less than the greater of-- 7#a7 the difference between-- 7,a7 the amount for an award year that the ,state has agreed to pay for all students participating in the ,state ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan described in subsection 7e72 and 7,b7 the amount of the ,federal funds described in subsection 7e77#b72 or 7#b7 the amount that is #aj percent of the amount of the ,federal funds described in subsection 7e77#b74 7d7 ,maintenance of ,effort ,each ,state receiving a grant under this section for a fiscal year shall provide the ,secretary with an assurance that the aggregate expenditures by the ,state1 from funds derived from non-,federal sources1 for the contribution to higher education costs1 including student loans and grants for higher education for each fiscal year for which a grant is awarded under this section 7excluding funds for a ,state ,pay ,it ,forward model7 are not less than the aggregate expenditures by the ,state for the contribution to higher education costs1 including student loans and grants for higher education1 for the fiscal year preceding the first fiscal year for which a grant was awarded to the ,state under this section1 as adjusted for inflation using the ,consumer ,price ,index for ,all ,urban ,consumers published by the ,department of ,labor 7,,cpi-,u74 7e7 ,state ,pilot ,program 7#a7 ,state ,activities ,in accordance with subsection 7a71 each ,state receiving a grant under this section shall establish and carry out a ,state ,pay ,it ,forward model pilot program1 through which the ,state shall-- 7,a7 select eligible institutions1 in accordance with subsection 7f71 for participation in the program2 7,b7 in coordination with the ,secretary1 establish an application and enrollment process through which a student who is enrolled at a participating eligible institution who wishes to participate in the program1 and fulfills the requirements of the enrollment process1 as determined by the ,state1 shall be enrolled in the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan1 subject to paragraph 7#c72 7,c7 provide each student at each participating eligible institution with a written notice-- 7i7 that such student has the option to participate1 or to decline to participate1 in the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan on an annual renewable basis1 subject to paragraph 7#c72 7ii7 of the application and enrollment process described in subparagraph 7,b72 and 7iii7 of the terms and conditions of the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan1 as described in subsection 7g72 7,d7 ensure that1 subject to subsection 7g77#e77;,a7 and in accordance with paragraphs 7#d7 and 7#e7 of subsection 7g71 an eligible student's cost of attendance will be reduced by the amount of any assistance considered estimated financial assistance1 as defined in section #dbh7;a77#b77;,c7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgh7;a77#b77;,c77 prior to the awarding of aid under the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan toward the student's cost of attendance2 7,e7 award funds1 from amounts made available under subsection 7c71 any other ,state funds1 and amounts made available under paragraph 7#b77;,b7 to pay-- 7i7 each participating institution an amount equal to the tuition and mandatory fees for each student at that institution who is enrolled in the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan1 as described in subsection 7g71 except that such amount shall1 for each student not exceed-- 7,i7 the amount of the tuition and mandatory fees for each such student at the most expensive public institution of higher education in the ,state for the type of institution the participating student attends 7including a #d-year institution1 #b-year institution1 or #a-year institution7 for that award year2 or 7,,ii7 the cost of attendance for each such student to attend the institution at which the student is enrolled2 and 7ii7 each participating student any additional costs of attendance that have been agreed to in the student's contract described in subsection 7g71 except that such additional costs shall be in an amount such that the sum of such additional costs and the amount of tuition and fees described in clause 7i7 shall1 for each such student1 not exceed-- 7,i7 the amount of the tuition and mandatory fees for a student at the most expensive public institution of higher education in the ,state for the type of institution the participating student attends 7including a #d-year institution1 #b-year institution1 or #a-year institution7 for that award year2 or 7,,ii7 the cost of attendance for the student to attend the institution at which the student is enrolled4 7#b7 ,federal ,funds ,the ,secretary shall pay each ,state receiving a grant under this section1 for each award year for the purpose of carrying out paragraph 7#a77;,e71 an amount equal to the product of-- 7,a7 the number of students in the ,state that are enrolled in the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan for that award year2 multiplied by 7,b7 an amount equal to the sum of-- 7i7 the maximum amount that a student is eligible to receive through a ,federal ,direct ,stafford loan under part ,d of title ,,iv of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhg;a et seq47 for that award year2 plus 7ii7 the maximum amount that a student is eligible to receive through a ,federal ,direct ,unsubsidized ,stafford loan under part ,d of title ,,iv of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhg;a et seq47 for that award year4 7f7 ,eligible institutions 7#a7 ,in general ,an eligible institution1 for purposes of this section1 means an institution of higher education1 that-- 7,a7 submits an application to the ,state at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,state may reasonably require2 7,b7 agrees to participate in the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan and commits to participation in research that may be related to the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan2 and 7,c7 agrees to maintain-- 7i7 in the case of an institution of higher education in which the entire institution is participating1 the level of institutional financial aid1 including the level of institutional funding for student grants and loans1 as adjusted for inflation by the ,consumer ,price ,index for ,all ,urban ,consumers published by the ,department of ,labor 7,,cpi-,u71 that the institution provides at the time of the application to participate in the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan throughout the duration of the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan2 or 7ii7 in the case of a department1 school1 or program within an institution of higher education1 maintain the level of aid described in clause 7i7 on a department1 school1 or program-wide basis4 7#b7 ,selection of participating institutions 7,a7 ,in ,general ,if a sufficient number of eligible institutions in a ,state receiving a grant under this section wish to participate in the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan1 such ,state shall establish methods for selecting eligible institutions to participate1 or otherwise set standards for participation1 in such a way that meets the requirements of this paragraph and maximizes the utility of the research that results from the evaluation of the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan4 7,b7 ,criteria ,in selecting eligible institutions under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,state shall consider the extent to which selected institutions will represent varied geographic locations and types of institutions 7such as community colleges1 institutions that offer #d-year programs1 or other variations in the types of institutions that are selected74 7,c7 ,preference ,in selecting eligible institutions under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,state shall give preference to eligible institutions that have a history of making an effort to reduce or hold constant tuition and mandatory fees and cost of attendance or have a plan to reduce or hold constant tuition and mandatory fees and cost of attendance1 as determined by the ,state4 7#c7 ,announcement of participants ,each ,state receiving a grant under this section shall announce each eligible institution that is selected for participation in the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan at a time that provides students at participating eligible institutions with adequate notice in advance of the commencement of the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan at that institution4 7#d7 ,state as grant recipient ,the ,secretary may award grants to ,states that have developed1 or are in the process of developing1 pilot ,pay ,it ,forward grant programs at the ,state level to enable the ,state to carry out the activities described in this ,act as if such ,state were an eligible institution selected for participation in the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan4 7g7 ,terms of the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan ,if a student who attends a participating eligible institution has applied for and enrolled in the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan as described in subsection 7e77#a77;,b7-- 7#a7 the ,state shall pay-- 7,a7 to the participating institution that such student attends not less than an amount equal to the cost of tuition and mandatory fees during the time that the student is enrolled as an undergraduate at the participating eligible institution and is participating in the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan1 and for a period of not more than-- 7i7 #d years2 or 7ii7 another period of time 7such as a certain number of college credits or academic years completed7 that the ,state1 the institution1 and the student shall determine and specify in the agreement described under paragraph 7#c72 and 7,b7 a student who attends a participating eligible institution and has applied for and enrolled in the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan any additional costs of attendance that are agreed to by the ,state1 the institution1 and the student and are established in the contract described in paragraph 7#c71 except that such additional costs shall be in an amount such that the sum of such additional costs and the amount of tuition and fees described in subparagraph 7,a7 shall1 for each such student and for each award year1 not exceed the amount of the tuition and mandatory fees for a student at the most expensive public institution of higher education in the ,state for the type of institution the participating student attends 7including a #d-year institution1 #b-year institution1 or #a-year institution7 for that award year2 7#b7 the ,state shall ensure that variations in the time that a student's tuition and mandatory fees is paid by the ,state shall be reflected in-- 7,a7 the length of the contribution period established in the student's ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan agreement described under paragraph 7#c71 except that the length of such contribution period shall not exceed #be years2 and 7,b7 the percentage of annual income that such student shall contribute1 as established in the student's ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan agreement described under paragraph 7#c72 7#c7 the student shall sign a contract agreement1 which shall include-- 7,a7 the period of time 7such as a certain number of college credits or academic years completed7 during which the ,state will pay the institution that the student attends not less than an amount equal to the cost of tuition and mandatory fees that the student requests to have provided through the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan while the student is enrolled at such participating eligible institution2 and 7,b7 any additional costs of attendance that the ,state agrees to pay for such student through the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan while the student is enrolled at such participating eligible institution2 and 7,c7 a statement that the student will contribute to the ,state a certain percentage 7not to exceed #e percent7 of the student's annual income for a specified number of years upon graduation from such institution of higher education1 successful completion of the student's course of study1 or when such student ceases to be enrolled at such institution of higher education1 as determined by the ,state1 and the student shall be required to begin making such contributions on the date that is the later of-- 7i7 #a calendar year after graduation from such institution of higher education1 successful completion of the student's course of study1 or when such student ceases to be enrolled at such institution of higher education1 as determined by the ,state2 or 7ii7 #a calendar year after the completion of a year that the student is enrolled in the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan2 7#d7 the student shall continue to be eligible to obtain any grants1 scholarships1 or funds that do not have to be repaid 7including ,federal ,pell ,grants or any other ,federal1 ,state1 or institutional grant money7 that the student would otherwise be eligible to receive if the student was not a participant in the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan and that are applied toward the student's tuition and mandatory fees at the eligible institution1 and the amount of such grants1 scholarships1 or funds shall be deducted from the amount that the ,state would otherwise pay toward the student's tuition and mandatory fees under the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan1 thereby proportionately reducing the percentage of a participating student's annual income that the student will be required to contribute or the duration of the student's contribution period1 as described under paragraph 7#c72 7#e7 the student shall continue to be eligible to obtain any other student loans1 including ,federal student loans 7except for ,federal ,direct ,stafford ,loans under part ,d of title ,,iv of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhg;a et seq4771 that the student would otherwise be eligible to receive if the student was not a participant in the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan except that-- 7,a7 any funds received by a student under the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan shall be considered estimated financial assistance for purposes of calculations under section #dbh7;a77#b77;,c7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgh7;a77#b77;,c772 and 7,b7 the amount of such loans shall be deducted from the amount that the ,state would otherwise pay toward the student's tuition and mandatory fees under the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan1 thereby proportionately reducing the percentage of a participating student's annual income that the student will be required to contribute or the duration of the student's contribution period1 as described under paragraph 7#c72 and 7#f7 if the student obtains ,federal student loans1 such student shall remain eligible for applicable ,federal loan repayment1 forgiveness1 or similar programs regarding such ,federal student loans to the same extent that the student would be eligible for such repayment1 forgiveness1 or similar programs if the student were not also participating in the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan4 7h7 ,method of contribution collection ,the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,secretary of the ,treasury or a designee of the ,secretary of the ,treasury1 shall work with appropriate ,state agencies to develop an efficient mechanism for students who enroll in the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan1 including using existing student loan repayment structures1 wage withholding 7such as preauthorized automatic electronic funds transfers71 or other suitable methods as the respective ,state agencies may determine and as approved by the ,secretary4 7i7 ,state ,report ,each ,state receiving a grant under this section shall annually prepare and submit a report to the ,secretary containing such information about the grant program as the ,secretary may require4 #f4 ,advisory ,council 7a7 ,in ,general ,the ,secretary shall establish1 and appoint members to1 a technical advisory council to make recommendations to the ,secretary about-- 7#a7 how to design an evaluation of the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan described under section #e2 7#b7 how to maximize the utility of the research results that may be used to evaluate such program2 and 7#c7 implementation issues and solutions for ,state-based ,pay ,it ,forward model pilot programs1 which may include applying a ,state-based ,pay ,it ,forward model pilot program for nontraditional students1 including students who are older1 already working1 or attending school at night1 and in cases in which graduates voluntarily leave the workforce4 7b7 ,members of the ,council ,the technical advisory council established under this section shall include not more than #aa members1 of whom-- 7#a7 not less than #c members shall be academic researchers with expertise in higher education2 7#b7 not less than #b members shall have expertise in quantitative program evaluation2 7#c7 not less than #b members shall be student advocates2 and 7#d7 not less than #b members shall be experts in budgetary and financial matters4 7c7 ,report ,the technical advisory council established under this section shall prepare and submit a report to the ,secretary containing the recommendations described in subsection 7a74 #g4 ,implementation study 7a7 ,initial ,evaluation ,not later than #e years after the establishment of the ,state ,pay ,it ,forward models under section #e1 the ,secretary shall1 after consideration of the advisory council recommendations regarding how to evaluate the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan described under section #f7;a71 conduct an initial evaluation of the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan1 which may include an evaluation of-- 7#a7 how the rates of contribution under the ,pay ,it ,forward model may differ according to different income levels2 7#b7 the rates of students who fail to contribute funds as agreed to under the ,pay ,it ,forward model2 7#c7 how best to establish a student's agreement described under section #e7;g77#c71 or a similar agreement made under another ,pay ,it ,forward model1 including what percentage of a student's income the student should be required to contribute and what is an appropriate time period for contribution2 7#d7 ways to prevent increases in tuition and other education costs2 and 7#e7 ways to integrate existing ,federal student loan repayment and forgiveness programs into the ,pay ,it ,forward model4 7b7 ,evaluation ,not later than #aj years after the establishment of the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan described under section #e1 the ,secretary shall1 after consideration of the advisory council recommendations regarding how to evaluate the ,pay ,it ,forward ,contribution ,plan-- 7#a7 evaluate whether existing student loan debt could be converted into a ,pay ,it ,forward model2 7#b7 evaluate the impact of the ,pay ,it ,forward model on a student's career choices and employment1 including how such model may impact a student's employment in public service jobs and level of employment 7such as whether a student participating in the ,pay ,it ,forward model will go on to part time or full time employment72 7#c7 evaluate mechanisms through which employers could provide funds toward the contributions that an employee is required to make under a ,pay ,it ,forward model contribution agreement2 7#d7 examine the long-term solvency and feasibility of an expanded ,pay ,it ,forward program2 and 7#e7 examine the distributional implications of allowing students to opt out of participation in a ,pay ,it ,forward model program as compared to requiring all students who are enrolled at a participating institution to participate in a ,pay ,it ,forward model program4 7c7 ,report ,upon completion of the evaluation described under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall prepare and submit a report containing the results of such evaluation to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate1 the ,committee on ,banking1 ,housing1 and ,urban ,affairs of the ,senate1 the ,committee on ,finance of the ,senate1 the ,committee on ,education and the ,workforce of the ,house of ,representatives1 the ,committee on ,financial ,services of the ,house of ,representatives1 and the ,committee on ,ways and ,means of the ,house of ,representatives4 #h4 ,expanded ,implementation ,the ,secretary may expand the ,pay ,it ,forward model1 including by developing ,pay ,it ,forward model pilot programs for students pursuing post-baccalaureate degrees that relate to the medical profession in order to meet the need for more primary medical care providers1 increasing the number or duration of grants to ,states for carrying out a ,pay ,it ,forward ,state pilot program1 or establishing a ,federal program based on the ,pay ,it ,forward model1 if the ,secretary determines that doing so-- 7#a7 will not increase the cost to the ,federal ,government for carrying out ,federal loan programs under title ,,iv of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj et seq472 7#b7 may be carried out using amounts available for the programs under title ,,iv of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj et seq472 and 7#c7 is in the best interests of students and the ,nation in advancing national priorities for education1 health1 and economic development4 #i4 ,waiver 7a7 ,state application for waiver ,a ,state awarded a grant under this ,act may apply to the ,secretary to waive a requirement of the grant4 7b7 ,secretary authority ,the ,secretary may waive any provision in this ,act if the ,secretary determines that doing so would be in the best interest of students and achieve the goals of the ,pay ,it ,forward model4 #aj4 ,pay ,it ,forward ,fund 7a7 ,establishment of a fund ,there is established in the ,treasury a fund1 to be known as the ,pay ,it ,forward ,fund 7referred to in this section as the ,fund71 to be administered by the ,secretary of ,education1 in which all funds received in ,pay ,it ,forward contributions under this ,act shall be deposited4 7b7 ,use ,the amounts in the ,fund shall be made available to the ,secretary of ,education in order to carry out this ,act4 #aa4 ,amounts available for ,pay ,it ,forward from ,stafford ,loan ,program ,amounts made available under any ,act to carry out the ,federal ,direct ,stafford ,loan ,program under part ,d of title ,,iv of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhg;a et seq47 shall be available to the ,secretary of ,education to carry out the ,pay ,it ,forward program under this ,act4