Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB221

Introduced
1/9/23  

Caption

Professional Pell Education Learning Act or the PROPEL Act This bill expands student eligibility for Pell Grants by allowing students to use these grants for enrollment in educational programs that consist of vocational or technical training, flight training, apprenticeship, or other on-job training. In addition, the bill expands institutional eligibility under the Federal Pell Grant program, including by allowing these vocational and training programs to be unaccredited.

Impact

The bill expands the definition of 'eligible institution' to include programs that do not require accreditation by a recognized agency and can be shorter in duration, thus broadening access to financial aid for a wider array of educational options. By doing so, the legislation would permit students attending trade schools and similar institutions—many of which may currently be ineligible for federal funding due to lack of accreditation—to apply for Pell Grants, thereby enhancing their educational opportunities and potential job prospects.

Summary

House Bill 221, also known as the Professional Pell Education Learning Act (PROPEL Act), seeks to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 by broadening the eligibility for Federal Pell Grants. This amendment would allow students to utilize these grants for enrollment in various educational programs that include vocational training, technical skills development, flight training, and other forms of on-the-job training. The bill aims to support individuals pursuing non-traditional pathways to education, particularly those seeking careers that do not necessarily require a college degree.

Contention

While proponents of the PROPEL Act argue that this measure will increase educational access and meet the needs of a rapidly changing workforce, critics may raise concerns about the lack of accreditation requirements. They may argue that unaccredited programs could lead to issues regarding the quality of education and training provided, potentially leaving students unprepared for the job market. Additionally, the focus on vocational training over traditional degree programs might lead to debates about the value placed on different educational pathways within the broader context of higher education policy.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB496

Promoting Employment and Lifelong Learning Act or the PELL Act This bill expands student eligibility for Pell Grants by establishing the Workforce Pell Grants Program. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to award Workforce Pell Grants to students enrolled in eligible short-term programs. Eligible programs are those that provide 150 to 600 clock hours of instructional time over a period of 8 to 15 weeks and meet other eligibility criteria. An accrediting agency or association recognized by ED must determine a program's eligibility based on several criteria, including that the program provides education aligned with the requirements of in-demand industry sectors and occupations and meets specified completion and job placement rates. ED must annually collect and publish information on the College Scorecard regarding each eligible program, including job outcomes. The College Scorecard is a comparison tool for information on school sizes, settings, graduation rates, average costs, and salary ranges per field of study.

US HB322

Educational Opportunity and Success Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes through FY2029 and otherwise revises TRIO programs. (These outreach and student-services programs identify and provide services to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.) Among other revisions to the programs, the bill prohibits the Department of Education (ED) from rejecting TRIO grant applications based on certain errors; requires ED to provide additional technical assistance to interested grant applicants; revises the outcome criteria for measuring the quality and effectiveness of the programs, including those programs specifically designed for veterans; allows program administrators to use a student's most recent Free Application for Federal Student Aid to determine TRIO program eligibility; and increases the maximum stipend for students participating in the Upward Bound Program or the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program.

US SB2341

A bill to amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to authorize grants for eligible institutions to carry out agriculture workforce training programs, and for other purposes.

US HB266

Educational Opportunity and Success Act of 2025This bill reauthorizes through FY2030 and otherwise revises TRIO programs. (These outreach and student-services programs identify and provide services to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.)Among other revisions to the programs, the billprohibits the Department of Education (ED) from rejecting TRIO grant applications based on certain errors;requires ED to provide additional technical assistance to interested grant applicants;revises the outcome criteria for measuring the quality and effectiveness of the programs, including those programs specifically designed for veterans;allows program administrators to use a student's most recent Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine TRIO program eligibility; andincreases the maximum stipend for students participating in the Upward Bound Program or the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program.

US SB56

Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act This bill allows individual and corporate taxpayers a tax credit for cash contributions to certain scholarship-granting and workforce training organizations. It imposes a cap of $10 billion on the sum of contributions that qualify for a tax credit under this bill. The bill requires the Department of Education, in coordination with the Departments of the Treasury and Labor, to establish, host, and maintain a web portal that (1) lists all eligible scholarship-granting and workforce training organizations; (2) enables contributions to such organizations; (3) provides information about the benefits of this bill; and (4) enables a state to submit and update information about its programs and educational organizations, including information on student eligibility and allowable educational expenses.

US HB66

Native American Education Opportunity Act This bill addresses education savings account programs and charter schools for tribal students. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Education and the Department of the Interior, at the request of federally recognized Indian tribes, to provide funds to tribes for tribal-based education savings account programs. Tribes must use these funds to award grants to education savings accounts for students who (1) attended or will be eligible to attend a school operated by the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE); or (2) will not be attending a school operated by the BIE, receiving an education savings account from another tribe, or attending public elementary or secondary school while participating in the program. Funds may be used for items and activities such as costs of attendance at private schools, private tutoring and online learning programs, textbooks, educational software, or examination fees. The Government Accountability Office must review the implementation of these education savings account programs, including any factors impacting increased participation in such programs. Additionally, the bill authorizes the BIE to approve and fund charter schools at any school that it operates or funds.

US HB202

States' Education Reclamation Act of 2023 This bill abolishes the Department of Education (ED) and repeals any program for which it has administrative responsibility. The Department of the Treasury shall provide grants to states, for FY2023-FY2031, for elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education purposes permitted by state law. The level of funding is set at the amount provided to states for federal elementary and secondary education programs and the amount provided for federal postsecondary education programs, respectively, for FY2023, minus the funding provided for education programs that the bill transfers to other federal agencies. States must contract for an annual audit of their expenditures or transfers of grant funds. Program administrative responsibility and delegation of authority are transferred as follows: ED's job training programs to the Department of Labor, each special education grant program under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), ED's Indian education programs to the Department of the Interior, each Impact Aid program under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to the Department of Defense, the Federal Pell Grant program and each federal student loan program to Treasury, and programs under the jurisdiction of the Institute of Education Sciences or the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program to HHS.

US A1817

Establishes pilot program in DOE for special education students to attend college courses or vocational training programs.

US A1596

Establishes pilot program in DOE for special education students to attend college courses or vocational training programs.

US HB8807

Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2024

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.