,i #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #cegh ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,june #bg1 #bjai,ms4 ,meng 7for herself1 ,mr4 ,serrano1 ,ms4 ,velzquez1 ,mr4 ,nadler1 ,mrs4 ,carolyn ,b4 ,maloney of ,new ,york1 ,miss ,rice of ,new ,york1 ,ms4 ,clarke of ,new ,york1 ,ms4 ,norton1 and ,mr4 ,espaillat7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,education and ,labor ,a ,,bill ,to direct the ,secretary of ,education to establish and carry out a grant program to make grants to eligible institutions to plan and implement programs that provide comprehensive support services and resources designed to increase transfer and graduation rates at community colleges1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,community ,college ,student ,success ,act4 #b4 ,community ,college ,student ,success ,grant ,program authorized ,from the amounts appropriated under section #aj1 the ,secretary of ,education shall establish and carry out the community college student success grant program to award grants under sections #c and #d1 on a competitive basis1 to eligible institutions to plan and implement community college student success programs designed to increase-- 7#a7 the rate at which eligible students graduate from a program of study at such eligible institution within #aej percent of the normal time for graduation2 and 7#b7 transfer rates of eligible students4 #c4 ,grants to plan community college student success programs 7a7 ,planning grants authorized ,from the amounts appropriated to carry out this section under section #aj for a fiscal year1 the ,secretary shall award planning grants for such fiscal year1 on a competitive basis1 to eligible institutions to develop plans for community college student success programs4 7b7 ,duration ,a grant awarded under this section shall be for a #a-year period4 7c7 ,peer review process2 priority ,in awarding grants under this section for a fiscal year1 the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 carry out a peer review process that-- 7,a7 requires that each application submitted under subsection 7d7 be peer reviewed by a panel of readers composed of individuals selected by the ,secretary1 which shall include-- 7i7 not less than #ej percent of readers-- 7,i7 who are not employees of the ,federal ,government2 and 7,,ii7 who have relevant research or practical experience with respect to student support programs designed to increase graduation rates and transfer rates at public #b-year institutions of higher education2 and 7ii7 to the maximum extent practicable1 individuals who are members of groups underrepresented in higher education1 including ,african ,americans1 ,hispanics1 ,native ,americans1 ,alaska ,natives1 ,asian ,americans1 and ,native ,american ,pacific ,islanders 7including ,native ,hawaiians72 and 7,b7 ensures that no individual assigned under subparagraph 7,a7 to review an application has any conflict of interest with regard to that application that may make the individual unable to impartially conduct such review2 and 7#b7 give priority to eligible institutions that are eligible to receive funding under title ,,iii or ,v of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajea et seq474 7d7 ,application ,an eligible institution desiring 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 require1 which shall include-- 7#a7 the graduation rate and transfer rate for the most recent academic year for which data are available for eligible students and all students1 respectively2 7#b7 an analysis of how implementing a community college student success program may improve the graduation rate or transfer rate for eligible students2 and 7#c7 an analysis of the methods the eligible institution has previously used to improve the graduation rate or transfer rate with respect to eligible students and all students1 respectively4 7e7 ,use of funds ,an eligible institution that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant to develop a plan to implement a community college student success program at the eligible institution4 7f7 ,report ,not later than #a year after the date on which an eligible institution receives a grant under this section1 such eligible institution shall submit to the ,secretary a report that includes-- 7#a7 a plan for implementing a community college student success program at the eligible institution1 including-- 7,a7 the ambitious outcome goals for achieving significant improvements in graduation rates and transfer rates for eligible students and all students1 respectively1 as such rates are defined by the eligible institution1 in consultation with the ,secretary1 before the end of the grant period2 7,b7 the number of such eligible students who will participate in such program1 including how such eligible students will be identified1 referred1 and selected1 in cases where the interest in the program is larger than the budget for the program2 7,c7 the demographics 7including income1 race1 and gender7 of such eligible students2 7,d7 based on the most recent academic year for which data are available1 disaggregated by eligible students and all students-- 7i7 graduation rates2 7ii7 transfer rates2 7iii7 retention rates2 7iv7 rates of completion of remedial courses for students required to complete such courses2 and 7v7 average number of credits attempted and average number of credits earned2 7,e7 an analysis of the financial needs of the eligible students described in subparagraph 7,b72 7,f7 an analysis of how the eligible institution will collaborate across departments at the institution and with external partners to implement a community college student success program1 including the detailed roles and responsibilities of each potential external partner 7including each investor1 ,state or local government entity1 or other stakeholder72 7,g7 a description of how the eligible institution will effectively staff a community college student success program2 and 7,h7 a timeline for the implementation of such program2 7#b7 a budgetary analysis that includes-- 7,a7 a description of how the eligible institution will-- 7i7 provide non-,federal funds for such program under subsection 7d7 of section #d2 and 7ii7 meet the requirement of subsection 7b77#c7 of such section2 and 7,b7 a description of how the eligible institution will continue to fund such program after the end of the grant period for the grant awarded to the institution under section #d2 7#c7 a description of the data system the eligible institution will use to track and evaluate the progress of eligible students participating in such program2 7#d7 an analysis of the institutional barriers that may hinder implementing such program at such eligible institution2 and 7#e7 such other information as the ,secretary may require4 #d4 ,grants to implement community college student success programs 7a7 ,implementation grants authorized 7#a7 ,in general ,from the amounts appropriated to carry out this section under section #aj for a fiscal year1 the ,secretary shall award grants for such fiscal year1 on a competitive basis1 to eligible institutions awarded a grant under section #c to implement community college student success programs4 7#b7 ,consultation ,in awarding grants under this section for a fiscal year1 the ,secretary shall consult with the independent evaluator before finalizing which eligible institutions will receive such a grant for such fiscal year4 7b7 ,requirements for selection ,to be eligible to receive a grant under this section1 an eligible institution shall meet the following requirements3 7#a7 ,the eligible institution was awarded a grant under section #c at least #a year before such eligible institution submits an application under subsection 7e74 7#b7 ,the eligible institution submits an application under subsection 7e74 7#c7 ,the eligible institution demonstrates1 on the date of the application described in subsection 7e71 the availability of non-,federal funding for the matching funds required under subparagraphs 7,a71 7,b71 and 7,c7 of subsection 7d77#a74 7c7 ,duration ,a grant awarded under this section shall be for a #e-year period4 7d7 ,non-,federal contribution 7#a7 ,in general ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 an eligible institution awarded a grant under this section shall contribute in cash from non-,federal sources1 the following3 7,a7 ,for the second year of the grant period1 an amount equal to #bj percent of the cost of carrying out the community college student success program at the institution for such year4 7,b7 ,for the third year of the grant period1 an amount equal to #dj percent of the cost of carrying out such program for such year4 7,c7 ,for the fourth year of the grant period1 an amount equal to #fj percent of the cost of carrying out such program for such year4 7,d7 ,for the fifth year of the grant period1 an amount equal to #hj percent of the cost of carrying out such program for such year4 7#b7 ,exception 7,a7 ,in general ,notwithstanding paragraph 7#a71 with respect to an exempt institution awarded a grant under this section1 for each year of the grant period beginning with the second year through the fifth year1 the ,secretary shall not require the institution to make a cash contribution from non-,federal sources in an amount that is greater than the amount equal to #e percent of the cost of carrying out the community college student success program at the institution for such year4 7,b7 ,definitions ,for purposes of this paragraph3 7i7 ,exempt institution ,the term exempt institution means an eligible institution that is-- 7,i7 a ,tribal college or university2 or 7,,ii7 an institution located in the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico1 ,guam1 ,american ,samoa1 the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands1 the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands1 the ,republic of the ,marshall ,islands1 the ,federated ,states of ,micronesia1 or the ,republic of ,palau4 7ii7 ,tribal college or university ,the term ,tribal college or university has the meaning given the term in section #caf of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;c74 7e7 ,application 7#a7 ,in general ,an eligible institution desiring 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 require1 which shall include a copy of the report described in section #c7;f74 7#b7 ,requirements for eligible institutions that reapply ,an institution that submits an application under paragraph 7#a7 that is not the first application submitted by such institution under such paragraph shall include the following in such application3 7,a7 ,the number of applications such eligible institution has submitted under paragraph 7#a7 and the dates on which such applications were submitted4 7,b7 ,a description of the changes the eligible institution has made since the most recent application submitted under paragraph 7#a7 to improve the plan to implement a community college student success program at such eligible institution4 7#c7 ,review ,not later than #fj days after receiving an application under this subsection1 the ,secretary shall approve or deny such application4 7f7 ,required use of funds ,an eligible institution that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant funds to-- 7#a7 implement a community college student success program2 7#b7 regularly review-- 7,a7 data to monitor the academic progress of eligible students participating in such program2 and 7,b7 the meeting and program participation requirements described in section #i7a72 and 7#c7 cover the employment of administrators for the program whose sole job shall be to administer the program1 without regard to whether the employment is full-time or less than full-time4 7g7 ,permissible use of funds ,an eligible institution that receives a grant under this section may use the grant to-- 7#a7 establish or expand a data tracking system that includes early alerts to complete the regular reviews required under subsection 7f77#b72 7#b7 provide eligible students participating in the community college student success program for which the grant is awarded with financial assistance to cover the costs described in paragraph 7#b71 7#c71 or 7#h7 of section #dgb of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhgll72 7#c7 establish or expand career development services for such students1 such as career workshops or career counseling2 7#d7 establish or expand tutoring services for such students2 and 7#e7 provide financial support for eligible students participating in such program to enroll in courses offered during enrollment periods that are outside the fall and spring semesters 7or equivalent terms74 7h7 ,reports ,an eligible institution that receives a grant under this section shall-- 7#a7 not less than once for each year of the grant period1 submit to the ,secretary an annual performance report for such year of the grant period1 and when data is available1 compares such year with the each of the #b years preceding the date on which the grant was awarded-- 7,a7 the demographics of the eligible students participating in the community college student success program2 7,b7 the average number of credits attempted and average number of credits earned1 rate of retention1 rate of degree completion1 and transfer rates of such eligible students2 7,c7 the graduation rate of such eligible students within-- 7i7 #ajj percent of the normal time for graduation2 7ii7 #aej percent of the normal time for graduation2 and 7iii7 #bjj percent of the normal time graduation2 7,d7 an analysis of the implementation and progress of such program based on the ambitious outcome goals described in the report submitted by the institution under section #c7;f77#a77;,a71 including challenges to and changes made to such program2 7,e7 if according to the analysis under subparagraph 7,d71 the program is not on track to meet such ambitious outcome goals1 a description of the plans to adjust the program to improve the performance of the program2 7,f7 the participation of such eligible students in tutoring1 career services1 and meetings with program advisors2 7,g7 for the report for the third year of the grant period1 the plan to meet the non-,federal contribution requirement under subsection 7d77#a77;,d72 and 7,h7 for the report for the fourth year of the grant period1 a description of-- 7i7 the source of the funds to meet the non-,federal contribution requirement under subsection 7d77#a77;,d72 7ii7 the plans to continue to fund such program after the grant period ends2 and 7iii7 the plans to use this program as a catalyst for institution-wide reform with respect to graduation rates and transfer rates for all students2 and 7#b7 not later than #f years after the date on which the eligible institution received such grant1 submit a final report to the ,secretary that includes an analysis of-- 7,a7 the factors that contributed to the success or failure of the community college student success program in meeting the ambitious outcome goals described in the report submitted by the institution under section #c7;f77#a77;,a72 7,b7 the challenges faced in attempting to implement such program2 7,c7 information on how to improve such program2 7,d7 whether the program has created an institution-wide reform with respect to graduate rates and transfer rates for all students1 and if so1 how such reform was created2 and 7,e7 how the eligible institution will continue to fund such program after the end of the grant period4 #e4 ,evaluations 7a7 ,independent evaluations ,before finalizing which eligible institutions will receive grants under section #d for a fiscal year1 the ,secretary1 acting through the ,director of the ,institute of ,education ,sciences1 shall enter into a contract with an independent evaluator-- 7#a7 to consult with the ,secretary on which eligible institutions should receive the grants2 and 7#b7 to use the ,what ,works ,clearinghouse ,standards 7without reservations7 to evaluate1 throughout the duration of the grant period of such grants-- 7,a7 each community college student success program for which such grant is awarded1 including whether the program met its ambitious outcome goals described in the report submitted by the institution under section #c7;f77#a77;,a72 7,b7 the average impact of community college student success programs on graduation rates and transfer rates for eligible students2 7,c7 the variation in program impacts across eligible institutions with respect to such rates2 and 7,d7 whether such programs lead to higher graduation rates and transfer rates of eligible students per dollar spent for such students by such institutions compared with such rates at eligible institutions without such programs4 7b7 ,results of evaluations ,the results of the evaluations under subsection 7a7 shall be made publicly available on the website of the ,department of ,education4 7c7 ,funding for evaluations ,the ,secretary may reserve not more than #ae percent of the funds appropriated under section #aj for a fiscal year to carry out this section for such fiscal year4 #f4 ,outreach and technical assistance 7a7 ,outreach ,the ,secretary shall conduct outreach activities to notify eligible institutions of the availability of grants under this ,act4 7b7 ,technical assistance ,the ,secretary shall provide technical assistance-- 7#a7 to eligible institutions that may be interested in applying for grants under this ,act1 including assistance with applications for such grants2 and 7#b7 to eligible institutions awarded grants under this ,act1 including assistance with-- 7,a7 establishing ambitious outcome goals described in section #c7;f77#a77;,a72 and 7,b7 the implementation of a community college student success program4 7c7 ,funding for technical assistance for evaluations ,the ,secretary may reserve not more than #g percent of the funds appropriated under section #aj for a fiscal year for technical assistance under this section for such fiscal year4 #g4 ,report to ,congress ,not later than #a year after the date on which the ,secretary receives the final evaluation results under section #e for eligible institutions that were awarded grants under section #d for the same fiscal year1 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report that includes-- 7#a7 the number of grants awarded under section #d for such fiscal year1 and the amount of such grants2 7#b7 the number of grants awarded under section #c to eligible institutions that received or would have been eligible for the grants described in paragraph 7#a71 and the amount of such grants2 and 7#c7 such final evaluation results4 #h4 ,supplement1 not supplant ,funds awarded to an eligible institution under this ,act shall be used only to supplement the amount of funds that would1 in the absence of the ,federal funds provided under this ,act1 be made available from non-,federal sources or other ,federal sources to carry out the activities under this ,act1 and not to supplant such funds4 #i4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,community college student success program ,the term community college student success program means a program carried out by an eligible institution under which the institution carries out the following3 7,a7 ,provides eligible students participating in such program with an amount that covers the cost of tuition and fees that are not covered by any ,federal1 ,state1 or institutional financial assistance received by the student4 7,b7 ,requires eligible students participating in such program to-- 7i7 be enrolled in the eligible institution and carry a full-time academic workload during each fall and spring semester 7or equivalent terms7 during which the student participates in such program2 7ii7 if the eligible student is referred to remedial courses or on academic probation1 meet1 on at least a weekly basis or under an alternate schedule1 as determined by the institution1 with a tutor1 except that in the case of an eligible student who is academically struggling1 but who is not referred to remedial courses or on academic probation1 the student may meet with a tutor as often as the program advisor for such student requires or under an alternate schedule1 as determined by the institution2 7iii7 meet with a program advisor-- 7,i7 twice each month during the first semester 7or equivalent term7 of participation in such program2 and 7,,ii7 as directed by the program advisor in subsequent semesters 7or equivalent terms7 under subparagraph 7,c77ii72 and 7iv7 meet with an on-campus career advisor or participate in a career services event once each semester 7or equivalent term7 or under an alternate schedule1 as determined by the institution4 7,c7 ,provides a program advisor to each eligible student participating in such program who-- 7i7 provides comprehensive academic and personal advising to the eligible student1 including-- 7,i7 the creation and implementation of an academic plan for the student to graduate from a program of study at the eligible institution within #aej percent of the normal time for graduation from such program2 7,,ii7 if an eligible student is referred to remedial courses1 encouraging such student to complete such courses as quickly as possible2 and 7,,iii7 assisting the eligible student with developing and achieving academic goals1 including creating strong transfer pathways that demonstrate programmatic transfer for students interested in transferring to a #d-year institution of higher education2 7ii7 after the eligible student participating in such program completes a semester 7or equivalent term71 creates for the eligible student a needs-based advising schedule that indicates1 based on the eligible student's academic performance1 the frequency with which such eligible student shall be required to meet with a program advisor for each subsequent semester 7or equivalent term7 of program participation2 7iii7 has a caseload of not more than #aej eligible students2 7iv7 tracks the attendance of the eligible student at the meetings described in clauses 7ii71 7iii71 and 7iv7 of subparagraph 7,b72 7v7 monitors the academic progress of the eligible student2 and 7vi7 provides each eligible student who meets the requirements of subparagraph 7,b71 on at least a monthly basis1 with financial incentives1 such as a transportation pass or a gas card4 7,d7 ,provides free tutoring and career services to eligible students participating in such program1 and may reserve places in select courses for such eligible students in order to create community within cohorts of eligible students4 7,e7 ,provides information to eligible students participating in such program about the eligibility of such students for assistance under the supplemental nutrition assistance program under the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjaa et seq47 and the program of block grants for ,states for temporary assistance for needy families established under part ,a of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fja et seq474 7#b7 ,eligible institution ,the term eligible institution means a public #b-year institution of higher education4 7#c7 ,eligible student ,the term eligible student means a student enrolled at an eligible institution who-- 7,a7 on the date such eligible student would begin participation in a community college student success program at such eligible institution-- 7i7 is enrolled in a program of study leading to an associate degree2 7ii7 is enrolled at such institution and carrying a full-time academic workload during each fall and spring semester 7or equivalent terms7 during which the student participates in such program2 7iii7 is-- 7,i7 a first-time undergraduate student2 or 7,,ii7 a continuing or transfer student with not more than #ae credits and a minimum grade point average of #b4j 7or its equivalent72 and 7iv7 is considered by the eligible institution to need no more than two remedial courses2 7,b7 if the student is eligible for financial aid under title ,,iv of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj et seq471 has completed the ,free ,application for ,federal ,student ,aid or other common financial reporting form under section #dhc7;a7 of such ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajij7;a772 and 7,c7 meets any other requirements established by the institution4 7#d7 ,full-time academic workload ,the term full-time academic workload1 when used with respect to an semester or equivalent term1 means at least #ab credits 7or the equivalent74 7#e7 ,institution of higher education ,the term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term under section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja74 7#f7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,education4 7#g7 ,transfer rate ,the term transfer rate1 when used with respect to students enrolled in a program of study at an eligible institution1 means the rate at which such students transfer to a #d-year institution of higher education4 #aj4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this ,act #aj1jjj1jjj1jjj for fiscal years #bjbj through #bjcj1 to be available until expended4