,,ii #aadth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #bhei ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,april #bg1 #bjaf,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 competitive 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 high school 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 #bjaf4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,,esea definitions ,the terms high school1 local educational agency1 secondary school1 and ,state educational agency have the meanings given the terms in section #haja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja74 7#b7 ,accelerated learning model ,the term accelerated learning model means a program that-- 7,a7 is designed to help students in high 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 high school4 7#c7 ,adult education ,the term adult education means services or instruction below the postsecondary level for individuals who-- 7,a7 have attained #af years of age2 7,b7 are not enrolled or required to be enrolled in high school under ,state law2 and 7,c7 7i7 lack sufficient mastery of basic educational skills to function effectively in society2 7ii7 do not have a high 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#d7 ,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#e7 ,dual enrollment program ,the term dual enrollment program means an academic program through which a high school student is able to simultaneously earn credit toward a high school diploma and a postsecondary degree or certificate4 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 awarded 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-- 7,a7 with respect to a postsecondary student1 a student who is eligible for a ,federal ,pell ,grant2 and 7,b7 with respect to a high school student1 a student who is eligible for free or reduced price lunch under the ,richard ,b4 ,russell ,national ,school ,lunch ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #agea et seq474 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-- 7,a7 is in the public domain2 or 7,b7 is made available under a permanent copyright license to the public to freely adapt1 distribute1 and otherwise use the work with attribution to the author as designated4 7#ac7 ,open textbook ,the term open textbook means an open educational resource or set of open educational resources that-- 7,a7 is a textbook for a course at an institution of higher education2 or 7,b7 can be used in place of a textbook for a postsecondary course at an institution of higher education4 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 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,education4 7#ag7 ,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 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 ,states to enable such ,states to develop or implement a comprehensive plan described in section #e to improve postsecondary outcomes for all students1 especially low-income students and first generation college students4 7b7 ,planning and implementation grants ,in accordance with subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall award-- 7#a7 planning grants1 on a competitive basis1 to ,states to enable the ,states to develop a comprehensive plan described in section #e2 and 7#b7 implementation grants1 on a competitive basis1 to ,states and without regard to whether the ,states have received a planning grant under paragraph 7#a71 to implement a comprehensive plan described in section #e4 7c7 ,limitation ,a ,state shall not have more than #a planning grant or more than #a implementation grant at any given time4 ,a ,state 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 ,state receiving such implementation grant has not made sufficient progress in-- 7i7 implementing a comprehensive 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 #g7;a77#b74 #e4 ,comprehensive plan 7a7 ,in general ,to carry out the objectives of this ,act1 a ,state 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 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 plan for each ,state receiving a grant under this ,act shall include each of the following reforms3 7,a7 ,implementing measures to maintain or increase fiscal support for postsecondary education that shall include-- 7i7 significantly increasing the percentage of student financial need met by need-based grant aid for postsecondary education2 and 7ii7 for public and participating private institutions of higher education that have1 for the most recent year for which data are available that precedes the date of application1 a percentage of students who are eligible for ,federal ,pell ,grants that is less than #be percent1 increasing such percentage throughout the grant period in order to attain a percentage of #be percent or more by the end of the grant period4 7,b7 ,increasing the transparency of information provided to students and the families of such students about the costs and outcomes of attaining a postsecondary credential at the institutions of higher education in the ,state1 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 the ,state 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 the institutions of higher education in the ,state 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 school1 by requiring that each secondary school student served by a local educational agency participating in the reforms carried out of this subsection and when possible1 not less than #a parent or legal guardian of the student1 meet with a secondary school counselor to understand the classes the student should take in order to graduate on time and the options available to them to afford postsecondary education2 7iv7 reporting accurate student graduation rates for each institution of higher education in the ,state1 disaggregated by-- 7,i7 enrollment status as a full-time student or a part-time student2 7,,ii7 status as a transfer student2 7,,iii7 status as a low-income student2 and 7,,iv7 status as a first generation college student2 7v7 reporting the percentages of students receiving institutional financial aid who are in-- 7,i7 each of the income categories described in clauses 7i7 through 7iv7 of section #acb7;i77#f77;,a72 7,,ii7 the income category of #aaj1jja-bjj1jjj2 7,,iii7 the income category of #bja1jja-cjj1jjj2 and 7,,iv7 the income category of #cjj1jja and more2 and 7vi7 developing practices for the continuous assessment of student learning at the postsecondary level and public reporting of student learning outcomes2 7vii7 developing multi-year tuition and fee schedules2 and 7viii7 providing a free degree audit to any student4 7#b7 ,selective reforms ,the comprehensive plan under section #e of each ,state receiving a grant under this ,act shall include #a or more of the following reforms1 as chosen by such ,state in accordance with paragraph 7#c73 7,a7 ,removing barriers to innovation in postsecondary education1 which 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 resources1 including open textbooks4 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 increasing participation in accelerated learning models1 which may include-- 7i7 subsidizing the cost of advanced placement program examinations for low-income students2 7ii7 training teachers to offer advanced placement program courses2 7iii7 training secondary school counselors in accelerated learning options as related to high school graduation requirements and opportunities to earn postsecondary education credits2 7iv7 training school counselors in the areas of academic advising and postsecondary financial aid options2 7v7 subsidizing the cost of international baccalaureate examinations and programs for low-income students2 7vi7 increasing access to dual enrollment programs for low-income students2 and 7vii7 developing programs to bring advanced placement program courses to rural schools4 7,c7 ,reforming postsecondary remediation by taking measures1 which may include-- 7i7 reducing the need for remediation by-- 7,i7 creating targeted interventions to occur in high school or adult education that align with higher education2 and 7,,ii7 waiving placement testing2 7ii7 improving the quality of remediation courses and developmental education based on emerging research-based practices2 7iii7 improving the process for identifying the foundational skills needs of students for remediation or developmental education while such students are in high school or adult education2 and 7iv7 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 the institutions of higher education in the ,state4 7,d7 ,any other reform1 developed by the ,state and approved by the ,secretary1 that-- 7i7 removes barriers to innovation in postsecondary education2 7ii7 improves the transition of students to and from postsecondary institutions and increases the rate of graduation of students from postsecondary institutions1 particularly the rate of such students graduating on time2 or 7iii7 reforms postsecondary education remediation4 7#c7 ,requirement for selecting reforms ,a ,state receiving a grant under this ,act shall only select a reform under paragraph 7#b7 that the ,state does not already have in place on the date on which such grant is received4 7#d7 ,requirements for net price calculator ,the net price calculator adopted under paragraph 7#a77;,b77i7 by each institution of higher education in a ,state 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 match1 in size and font1 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 ,a prompt for the student1 in prominent lettering1 that the student will need to fill out the ,free ,application for ,federal ,student ,aid1 in accordance with section #dhc of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajij71 in order to receive ,federal financial assistance under title ,,iv of such ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj et seq474 7v7 ,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 7vi7 ,the disclaimer described in section #acb7;h77#d7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajae;a7h77#d774 7vii7 ,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 #aife 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 ,a ,state 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 minimum-- 7#a7 a demonstration that the ,state 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 an assurance that the ,state-- 7,a7 will include1 in carrying out all of the reforms required under section #e7;b71 all public institutions of higher education in the ,state and all ,state agencies with governing authority over postsecondary education in the ,state2 and 7,b7 will include private institutions of higher education located in the ,state in carrying out the reforms applicable to such institutions4 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 ,state will develop and establish a comprehensive plan to implement the reforms under section #e7;b72 7#b7 a description of how the ,state will include1 in developing the comprehensive plan-- 7,a7 all public institutions of higher education in the ,state2 7,b7 private nonprofit organizations1 including private institutions of higher education1 that choose to participate in the development of such plan2 7,c7 the ,state educational agency and the local educational agencies that will be participating in the reforms carried out under section #e7;b72 and 7,d7 other stakeholders1 as designated by the ,governor of the ,state2 and 7#c7 a description of the ,state agencies and other entities that will control the programs funded by the grant and how such entities will interact in carrying out the activities of the planning grant1 as determined by the ,governor for the ,state4 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 ,state will use the implementation grant to-- 7,a7 carry out the reforms required under section #e7;b71 in accordance with the comprehensive plan2 and 7,b7 meet the annual targets established by the ,state under section #g7;a77#b71 at a rate that the ,secretary determines will result in reaching the goals of the grant established by such ,state under such section2 and 7#b7 a description of the ,state agencies and other entities that the ,governor of the ,state 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 ,award basis 7,a7 ,priorities ,in awarding grants under this ,act1 the ,secretary shall give priority to-- 7i7 ,states that show a stronger capacity to use the funds made available under this ,act to implement a comprehensive plan under section #e2 7ii7 ,states that commit1 in the application submitted under this section-- 7,i7 in the case of a planning grant1 to develop and establish a comprehensive plan that implements the universally required reforms under section #e7;b77#a7 and the selective reforms described in subparagraphs 7,a71 7,b71 and 7,c7 of section #e7;b77#b72 or 7,,ii7 in the case of an implementation grant1 to carry out a comprehensive plan that implements the universally required reforms under section #e7;b77#a7 and the selective reforms described in subparagraphs 7,a71 7,b71 and 7,c7 of section #e7;b77#b72 and 7iii7 ,states that agree to provide substantial matching funds toward the activities funded under the grant4 7,b7 ,consideration ,in awarding grants under this ,act1 the ,secretary shall give special consideration to ,states that enter into a partnership with #a or more private institutions of higher education in order to carry out the reforms described in section #e7;b7 that are to be planned or carried out under the grant in both public and private institutions4 7#c7 ,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 #g4 ,performance indicators2 annual targets2 goals 7a7 ,in general ,each ,state receiving a planning grant under this ,act1 and each ,state applying for an implementation grant under this ,act1 shall establish1 in accordance with subsection 7c7 and subject to approval by the ,secretary-- 7#a7 performance indicators that measure the progress of such ,state 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 ,state to reach the goals under paragraph 7#c72 and 7#c7 goals1 to be met by such ,state 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 ,state 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 education in the ,state2 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 in the ,state and attain a baccalaureate degree2 and 7,c7 the number and percentage of students attending institutions of higher education in the ,state who are eligible for ,federal ,pell ,grants4 7#c7 ,reducing the net price of attaining a postsecondary credential4 7c7 ,implementation grants 7#a7 ,options for ,state that has received a planning grant ,a ,state that has received a planning grant under this ,act shall 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 7#b7 ,requirements for other entities ,a ,state that has not received a planning grant under this ,act shall-- 7,a7 establish performance indicators1 annual targets1 and goals described in subsection 7a7 prior to applying for an implementation grant under this ,act2 and 7,b7 verify such establishment in the application for such implementation grant4 #h4 ,uses of funds 7a7 ,in general ,a ,state receiving funds from a grant under this ,act shall use such funds to carry out the activities of the grant4 7b7 ,additional partners ,a ,state receiving funds from a grant under this ,act may enter into a partnership or agreement with a nonprofit organization1 such as a nonprofit organization that specializes in financial literacy or other subjects1 to carry out the activities under the grant4 7c7 ,prohibitions ,a ,state 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 the appropriations for higher education made by the ,state4 7d7 ,terminated grants ,if an implementation grant is terminated under section #d7;d77#b77;,b71 the ,state 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 ,states4 #i4 ,reports and evaluation 7a7 ,reports 7#a7 ,in general ,a ,state 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 ,state in achieving the annual targets established under section #g2 and 7,b7 a description of the challenges that such ,state has faced in carrying out the grant and how such ,state 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