Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB494

Introduced
1/16/25  

Caption

This bill makes certain changes to the CyberCorps Scholarship for Service program, including increasing available scholarship amounts to cover up to five years of eligible tuition. The program offers scholarships to students pursuing higher education in cybersecurity and related fields, including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and aerospace. Under current law, the scholarship covers up to three years of tuition. Recipients must generally commit to work in cybersecurity for a government agency or institution of higher education following completion of their degree program for a period equivalent to the duration of the scholarship. If a recipient fails to fulfill the postgraduation work requirements, some or all of the scholarship must be repaid or treated as a loan. The bill also provides statutory authority for the National Science Foundation to treat as a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan the full amount of any scholarship award that is treated as a loan. Under current law, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are subject to certain conditions (e.g., interest rates and repayment schedules) and are eligible for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. 

Impact

Should HB 494 pass, it would significantly affect state laws by increasing the support for cybersecurity education at various institutions. The extension of the scholarship usage period could encourage more students to enter the cybersecurity workforce, addressing a growing demand for skilled professionals in both the public and private sectors. Furthermore, the clarification of loan structures may enhance access to federal aid, resulting in greater enrollment and diversity within cybersecurity programs. This, in turn, may contribute to the strengthening of national security through a better-trained cybersecurity workforce.

Summary

House Bill 494 aims to amend the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014 with the intent of enhancing the Federal Cyber Scholarship for Service Program. This program is designed to provide scholarships to students pursuing education in cybersecurity. The proposed changes would extend the period for which recipients can use the scholarships from three years to five years, allowing students more time to complete their education and gain necessary skills in this critical field. Additionally, the bill seeks to clarify the types of loans that can be included in the funding structure for these scholarships, potentially easing financial burdens for participants.

Contention

While the bill has not faced extensive public opposition, it is crucial to recognize that its implications could spark discussions regarding funding priorities within education. Some stakeholders may argue over the allocation of federal resources, questioning whether increased investment in cybersecurity education detracts from funding available for other educational programs. Proponents emphasize the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity capabilities, while critics might raise concerns about the balance of priorities in educational funding and the effectiveness of the scholarship program in producing job-ready graduates.

Congress_id

119-HR-494

Policy_area

Science, Technology, Communications

Introduced_date

2025-01-16

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB10209

To amend the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014 to make improvements to the Federal Cyber Scholarship for Service Program, and for other purposes.

US HB10477

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to improve the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and reduce interest rates.

US HB9517

To direct the Secretary of Education to deem each month for which certain Federal student loans are in deferment during a period of active duty service as months counted toward public service loan forgiveness, and for other purposes.

US HB1436

To provide additional funding for scholarships for students at 1890 institutions.

US SB72

Debt Cancellation Accountability Act of 2023 This bill prohibits the Department of Education from providing class-based loan forgiveness unless funds have been specifically requested and appropriated for this purpose. Class-based loan forgiveness refers to the cancellation, waiver, assumption, discharge, reduction, or other forgiveness of any obligation due on Federal Family Education Loans, Federal Direct Loans, or Federal Perkins Loans (1) on a class-wide basis and for a class of two or more loan borrowers, and (2) that totals more than $1 million. The prohibition does not apply to targeted loan forgiveness programs explicitly established under the Higher Education Act of 1965 and in effect before January 1, 2022, if the loan forgiveness is granted for a single borrower on a case-by-case basis.

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 HB138

Private Student Loan Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2023 This bill modifies the treatment of certain student loans in bankruptcy. Specifically, it allows private student loans to be discharged in bankruptcy regardless of whether a debtor demonstrates undue hardship. Under current law, student loans may be discharged in bankruptcy only if the loans impose an undue hardship on the debtor.

US HB393

Modern GI Bill Act This bill authorizes individuals who are entitled to educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill to apply amounts of such assistance to repay federal student loans for up to 36 months. The bill sets a cap and annual cost-of-living increases for the amount of educational assistance that may be paid to an individual under this bill during FY2024 and the following years.

US HB250

Clean Water SRF Parity Act This bill expands the state revolving fund established under the Clean Water Act, including by allowing low-interest loans to be given to privately owned treatment works to address wastewater. Currently, loans are given to wastewater systems that are publicly owned.

US HB10507

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for a percentage of student loan forgiveness for public service employment, and for other purposes.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.