,,ii #aacth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #beah ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,june #bd1 #bjad,mr4 ,franken introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,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 students1 including increasing postsecondary enrollment and graduation rates1 to reduce the need of postsecondary students for remedial education1 to increase alignment of elementary1 secondary1 and postsecondary education1 and to promote innovation in postsecondary education1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,college ,access ,act of #bjad4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,accelerated learning model ,the term accelerated learning model means a program that-- 7,a7 is designed to help students in secondary school learn at a faster and more rigorous pace2 and 7,b7 offers students the opportunity to earn postsecondary credits and1 in some cases1 obtain an occupational certificate or degree 7including an associate degree71 while such students are in secondary school4 7#b7 ,adult education ,the term adult education means services or instruction below the postsecondary level for individuals-- 7,a7 who have attained #af years of age2 7,b7 who are not enrolled or required to be enrolled in secondary school under ,state law2 and 7,c7 who-- 7i7 lack sufficient mastery of basic educational skills to function effectively in society2 7ii7 do not have a secondary school diploma1 or the recognized equivalent of such diploma1 and have not achieved an equivalent level of education2 or 7iii7 are unable to speak1 read1 or write in the ,english language4 7#c7 ,community college ,the term community college has the meaning given the term junior or community college in section #cab7;f7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajeh7;f774 7#d7 ,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 certificate4 7#e7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means a ,state or a consortium of ,states4 7#f7 ,enrollment status ,the term enrollment status has the meaning given the term in section #fij4b7;c7 of title #cd1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7as in effect on ,july #a1 #bjaa74 7#g7 ,federal ,pell ,grant ,the term ,federal ,pell ,grant means a ,federal ,pell ,grant under section #dja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj;a74 7#h7 ,first generation college student ,the term first generation college student has the meaning given the term in section #djb;,a7h7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj;a-#aa7;h774 7#i7 ,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 #ajjb74 7#aj7 ,low-income student ,the term low-income student means a student with a taxable family income for the preceding year that did not exceed #hj 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 resident4 7#aa7 ,net price ,the term net price has the meaning given the term in section #acb7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajae;a7a774 7#ab7 ,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 public4 7#ac7 ,open license ,the term open license means a worldwide1 royalty-free1 nonexclusive1 perpetual1 and irrevocable copyright license that grants the public permission to access1 reproduce1 publicly perform1 publicly display1 adapt1 distribute1 and otherwise use the work governed by such license and adaptations of such work for any purpose1 conditioned only upon the requirement that an author of such work receives appropriate attribution4 7#ad7 ,postsecondary credential ,the term postsecondary credential means an associate degree1 a baccalaureate degree1 or a certificate provided by a community college or a postsecondary vocational institution4 7#ae7 ,postsecondary vocational institution ,the term postsecondary vocational institution has the meaning given such term in section #ajb7;c7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajjb7;c774 7#af7 ,secondary school ,the term secondary school has the meaning given the term in section #iaja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja74 7#ag7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,education4 7#ah7 ,state ,the term ,state has the meaning given the term in section #ajc of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajjc74 #c4 ,reservation of funds ,from amounts made available to carry out this ,act for each fiscal year1 the ,secretary may reserve not more than #b percent of such amounts to carry out activities in accordance with this ,act related to technical assistance1 evaluation1 outreach1 and dissemination4 #d4 ,authorization of ,state grant program 7a7 ,in general ,for each fiscal year for which funds are appropriated under section #aa and from such amounts not reserved under section #c1 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 #e to improve postsecondary outcomes for all students1 especially low-income and first generation college students4 7b7 ,planning and implementation grants ,in accordance with subparagraph 7a71 the ,secretary shall award-- 7#a7 planning grants1 on a competitive basis1 to eligible entities to enable such entities to develop a comprehensive ,state plan described in section #e2 and 7#b7 implementation grants1 on a competitive basis1 to eligible entities and without regard to whether the entities have received a planning grant under paragraph 7#a71 to implement a comprehensive ,state plan described in section #e4 7c7 ,limitation ,a ,state or a consortium of ,states shall not have more than #a planning grant or more than #a implementation grant at any given time4 ,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 grant4 7d7 ,duration 7#a7 ,planning grants ,each planning grant awarded under subsection 7b77#a7 shall be for a period of not more than #ah months4 7#b7 ,implementation grants 7,a7 ,in general ,each implementation grant awarded under subsection 7b77#b7 shall be for a period of not more than #e years1 subject to the requirement under subparagraph 7,b74 7,b7 ,sufficient progress ,an implementation grant awarded under subsection 7b77#b7 shall terminate after a period of #b years1 if the ,secretary determines that the eligible entity receiving such implementation grant has not made sufficient progress in-- 7i7 implementing a comprehensive ,state plan described in section #e1 at a rate that the ,secretary determines will result in complete implementation of such plan during the remainder of the grant period2 and 7ii7 meeting the annual targets under section #g4 #e4 ,comprehensive ,state plan 7a7 ,in general ,to carry out the objectives of this ,act1 an eligible entity that receives a grant under this ,act shall develop1 in the case of a planning grant1 and implement1 in the case of an implementation grant1 a comprehensive ,state plan to-- 7#a7 enhance the affordability of postsecondary education2 and 7#b7 increase the number and percentage of students attaining a postsecondary credential1 particularly first generation college students and low-income students4 7b7 ,reforms 7#a7 ,universally required reforms ,the comprehensive ,state plan for each eligible entity receiving a grant under this ,act shall include each of the following reforms3 7,a7 ,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 entity1 and increasing access to such information for students and their families1 by taking measures that shall include-- 7i7 requiring the institutions of higher education in each ,state participating in the eligible entity to adopt a net price calculator under section #acb7;h7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajae;a7h77 that meets the requirements of paragraph 7#d72 7ii7 adopting a common letter developed by the ,secretary under section #dhd7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,opportunity ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajib note7 for institutions of higher education in each ,state participating in the eligible entity to use in awarding financial aid to students2 7iii7 enhancing the financial literacy of students and the families of such students regarding the costs of postsecondary education and financial aid opportunities1 beginning when such students enter secondary school2 7iv7 reporting accurate student graduation rates for institutions of higher education in each ,state participating in the eligible entity1 disaggregated by status as a full-time student1 or a part-time student1 and status as a transfer student2 7v7 developing practices for the continuous assessment of student learning at the postsecondary level and public reporting of student learning outcomes2 7vi7 developing multi-year tuition and fee schedules2 and 7vii7 providing free degree audits to students residing in each ,state participating in the eligible entity4 7,b7 ,implementing measures to maintain or increase fiscal support for postsecondary education that shall include-- 7i7 increasing need-based grant aid for postsecondary education2 and 7ii7 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 inflation4 7#b7 ,selective reforms ,the comprehensive ,state plan of each eligible entity receiving a grant under this ,act shall include #a or more of the following reforms1 as chosen by such eligible entity in accordance with paragraph 7#c73 7,a7 ,removing barriers to innovation in postsecondary education that shall include-- 7i7 developing innovative education delivery models1 such as using technology to enhance online and classroom learning aimed to increase participation and retention of students1 particularly first generation college students and low-income students2 7ii7 promoting the use of technology to increase personalized learning1 advising1 and support services for students2 and 7iii7 creating programs to create and expand the use of open educational resources4 7,b7 ,improving the transition of students to and from postsecondary institutions and increasing the rate of graduation of students from postsecondary institutions1 particularly such students graduating on time1 by-- 7i7 increasing participation in accelerated learning models1 which may include-- 7,i7 subsidizing the cost of advanced placement program examinations for low-income students2 7,,ii7 training teachers to offer advanced placement program courses2 7,,iii7 subsidizing the cost of international baccalaureate examinations and programs for low-income students2 7,,iv7 increasing access to dual enrollment programs for low-income students2 and 7,v7 developing programs to bring advanced placement program courses to rural schools2 7ii7 reforming postsecondary remediation by taking measures1 which may include-- 7,i7 reducing the need for remediation1 by creating targeted inventions to occur in secondary school or adult education that align with higher education and waiving placement testing2 7,,ii7 improving the quality of remediation courses and developmental education based on emerging research-based practices2 and 7,,iii7 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 education2 7iii7 improving the credit transfer policies and articulation agreements1 as defined in section #dhf;,a7a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajic;a7a771 between or among institutions of higher education in each ,state participating in the eligible entity2 and 7iv7 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 education4 7#c7 ,requirement for selecting reforms ,an eligible entity receiving a grant under this ,act shall only select a reform under paragraph 7#b7 that each ,state participating in the eligible entity does not have in place on the date on which such eligible entity receives such grant4 7#d7 ,requirements for net price calculator ,the net price calculator1 adopted under paragraph 7#a77;,a77i7 by each institution of higher education in each ,state participating in an eligible entity1 shall meet each of the following requirements3 7,a7 ,the link to the net price calculator made publicly available on the website of such institution-- 7i7 shall be labeled as a net price calculator in a prominent1 clear1 and conspicuous manner1 using a size and contrast 7such as shade7 that is readily noticeable and readable2 7ii7 shall be posted on the website of such institution in locations that provide information on costs and aid 7such as web pages for financial aid1 prospective students1 or tuition and fees72 7iii7 shall match in size and font to the other prominent links on the primary web page of such website2 and 7iv7 may be included on the web page of such institution that contains information relating to compliance with ,federal1 ,state1 and local laws4 7,b7 ,the results screen for the net price calculator shall specify each of the following3 7i7 ,the individual net price 7as calculated under section #acb7;h77#b7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajae;a7h77#b777 for an individual student1 which shall be the most visually prominent figure on such screen4 7ii7 ,the cost of attendance at such institution of higher education for a first-time1 full-time undergraduate student enrolled in the institution1 including-- 7,i7 tuition and fees2 7,,ii7 the average annual cost of room and board2 7,,iii7 the average annual cost of books and supplies2 and 7,,iv7 the estimated cost of other expenses 7including personal expenses and transportation74 7iii7 ,the estimated total need-based grant aid and merit-based grant aid1 from ,federal1 ,state1 and institutional sources1 that may be available to an individual student1 showing the subtotal for each such category and the total of all sources of grant aid4 7iv7 ,the percentage of the first-time1 full-time undergraduate students enrolled in the institution that received any type of grant aid described in clause 7iii74 7v7 ,the disclaimer described in section #acb7;h77#d7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajae;a7h77#d774 7vi7 ,in the case of a calculator that-- 7,i7 includes questions to estimate the eligibility of a student 7or prospective student7 for veteran's education benefits 7as defined in section #dhj7;c7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aief 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhgvv7c777 or educational benefits for active duty service members1 the results screen shall display such benefits in a manner that clearly distinguishes them from the grant aid described in clause 7iii72 or 7,,ii7 does not include questions to estimate eligibility for the benefits described in subclause 7,i71 the results screen shall indicate that certain students 7or prospective students7 may qualify for such benefits and include a link to information about such benefits4 7,c7 ,the institution shall populate the calculator with data from not earlier than #b academic years prior to the most recent academic year completed on the date of enactment of this ,act4 7,d7 ,the net price calculator shall clearly indicate which questions are required to be answered for a net price estimate4 7,e7 ,in the case of a calculator that requests contact information from users1 the net price calculator shall clearly indicate that such request is optional4 7,f7 ,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 parties4 ,the net price calculator shall clearly state3 ,any information that you provide on this site is confidential44 7,g7 ,the net price calculator shall not store responses1 shall not require any personal identifying information from users1 and shall clearly state3 ,the ,net ,price ,calculator does not store your responses and does not require personal identifying information of any kind44 #f4 ,applications 7a7 ,submission ,an eligible entity desiring a planning grant or an implementation grant under this ,act shall submit an application to the ,secretary at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may reasonably require4 7b7 ,contents for all grants ,each application for a planning grant or an implementation grant under this ,act shall include1 at a minimum1 a demonstration that the eligible entity-- 7#a7 has established mechanisms and the ability to use funds made available under this ,act and other sources of funding1 including ,federal1 ,state1 and local funds1 to implement the reforms under section #e7;b72 and 7#b7 will include1 in carrying the reforms under section #e7;b71 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 ,state4 7c7 ,planning grants ,an application for a planning grant awarded under section #d7;b77#a7 shall include1 in addition to the requirements described in subsection 7b7-- 7#a7 a proposal describing how the eligible entity will develop and establish a comprehensive ,state plan to implement the reforms under section #e7;b72 7#b7 a description of how the eligible entity will include1 in developing the comprehensive ,state plan-- 7,a7 all public institutions of higher education in each ,state participating in the eligible entity2 7,b7 private nonprofit organizations that choose to participate in the development of such plan2 7,c7 each ,state educational agency and local educational agency 7as such terms are defined in section #iaja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja77 in each ,state participating in the eligible entity2 and 7,d7 other stakeholders1 as designated by the ,governor of each ,state participating in the eligible entity2 and 7#c7 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 grant4 7d7 ,implementation grants ,an application for an implementation grant awarded under section #d7;b77#b7 shall include1 in addition to the requirements described in subsection 7b7-- 7#a7 a proposal describing how the eligible entity will use the implementation grant to-- 7,a7 carry out the reforms under section #e7;b71 in accordance with the comprehensive ,state plan2 and 7,b7 meet the annual targets established by the eligible entity under section #g1 at a rate that the ,secretary determines will result in reaching the goals of the grant established by such eligible entity under such section2 and 7#b7 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 grant4 7e7 ,application review 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall award grants under this ,act on a competitive basis considering the quality of the applications submitted4 7#b7 ,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 process1 including the fairness1 equity1 transparency1 and objectivity of the process4 7#c7 ,priority ,in awarding grants under this ,act1 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 #e4 #g4 ,performance indicators2 annual targets2 goals 7a7 ,in general ,each eligible entity receiving a planning grant under this ,act1 or each eligible entity described in subsection 7c7 that is applying for an implementation grant under this ,act1 shall establish1 subject to approval by the ,secretary-- 7#a7 performance indicators that measure the progress of such eligible entity in each of the areas described in subsection 7b72 7#b7 annual targets1 for the programs and activities carried out under this ,act1 that will enable such eligible entity to reach the goals under paragraph 7#c72 and 7#c7 goals1 to be met by such eligible entity at the end of the implementation grant period1 for achieving progress in each of the areas described in subsection 7b74 7b7 ,progress areas ,the performance indicators1 annual targets1 and goals described in subsection 7a7 shall1 at a minimum1 track the progress of the eligible entity in each of the following areas3 7#a7 ,implementing the reforms under section #e7;b74 7#b7 ,increasing-- 7,a7 the student graduation rate of first generation college students and low-income students at institutions of higher education2 and 7,b7 the number and percentage of students from community colleges and postsecondary vocational institutions who transfer to a #d-year institution of higher education and attain a baccalaureate degree4 7#c7 ,reducing the net price of attaining a postsecondary credential4 7c7 ,implementation grants ,an eligible entity that has received a planning grant under this ,act may use the performance indicators1 annual targets1 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 ,act4 ,an eligible entity that has not received a planning grant under this ,act shall establish performance indicators1 annual targets1 and goals described in subsection 7a7 prior to applying for an implementation grant under this ,act and verify such establishment in the application for such implementation grant4 #h4 ,uses of funds 7a7 ,in general ,an eligible entity receiving funds from a grant under this ,act shall use such funds to carry out the activities of the grant4 7b7 ,prohibitions ,an eligible entity receiving funds from a grant under this ,act shall not use such funds to-- 7#a7 promote any lender's loans2 or 7#b7 compensate for a decrease in ,state appropriations for higher education4 7c7 ,terminated grants ,if an implementation grant is terminated under section #d7;d77#b77;,b71 the eligible entity that received such grant shall return any unused funds of the grant to the ,secretary4 ,the ,secretary shall use such funds to-- 7#a7 increase funds made available to other grants awarded under this ,act2 or 7#b7 award additional grants to other eligible entities4 #i4 ,reports and evaluation 7a7 ,reports 7#a7 ,in general ,an eligible entity that receives an implementation grant under this ,act shall submit to the ,secretary an annual report that1 at a minimum1 includes-- 7,a7 data on the progress of such eligible entity in achieving the annual targets established under section #g2 and 7,b7 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 challenges4 7b7 ,evaluation ,the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 acting through the ,director of the ,institute of ,education ,sciences1 evaluate the implementation and impact of the activities carried out by this ,act2 and 7#b7 disseminate research on best practices for carrying out activities to achieve the objectives of this ,act4 #aj4 ,supplement and not supplant ,the funds authorized under this ,act shall supplement1 and not supplant1 other ,federal1 ,state1 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 education4 #aa4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this ,act4