Senate Republicans have made major changes to higher education policy by making improvements to their plans to expand the qualifications of students enrolled in the latest version of the comprehensive budget Megabill.
Other changes to legislation towards the final vote include adjustments to accountability measures for student outcomes, added protections for small business owners when calculating student aid eligibility, and changes to end taxes that soften the financial blow across the institution, especially the small Liberal Arts Academy.
The change in the Workforce Pell proposal came after a nonpartisan Senate official, known as a member of the congress, which violated the Senate’s provisions on legislative proceedings, known as a settlement. (The process allows the Senate to pass the bill by 51 votes instead of the typical 60 votes.) The MP did not explain her decision, but usually passes a sniff test, and each part must be focused on budget spending, savings and income, not other policies.
The Senate originally planned to visit federal aid to gain uncertified providers, but now those plans will be excluded from the workforce Pell.
When the original workforce Pell proposal was denied, advocates of higher education were shocked because it was largely bipartisan support. They hope these changes are enough to save them in Megabill.
“Community University Thanks very much [Health, Education, Labor and Pensions] The Commission found a way to ensure that the workforce Pell grants were included in the settlement bill. “This means that thousands of students will now be able to access a range of workforce education programs that will benefit them and the financially. ”
The Senate aims to vote on legislation for the A Big Beauty Act bill that will be held Monday night or early Tuesday, although it is not yet clear whether the bill will pass. The latest version was only promoted to the Senate debate after a 51-49 vote Saturday night. When the Senate resumed Monday morning, it began a one-vote vote on the proposed amendment.
But just because the bill is on the floor doesn’t mean it will eventually get on President Donald Trump’s desk, as some Republicans hesitate about the last vote. Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine, voted to advance the bill, telling multiple news organizations that she is “inclined to” vote in the final paragraph. If four Republicans vote not, the bill will fail.
The legislation also faces growing criticism from House Republicans, who also need to sign to make the bill self-implemented July 4 deadline law.
In addition to Workforce Pell, these are three key changes to the latest version of the Senate bill.
Donation Tax
Wealthy small colleges are stuck in discounts in the new bill, which now exempts students who have donated 3,000 students or less.
The investment tax originally introduced under the first Trump administration in 2017 only applies to some of the wealthiest universities, with donations worth more than $500,000. Under the first draft of the Senate bill, universities will pay different rates based on the value of each student’s donation, some people can pay up to 8%. The tax applies to any university receiving federal financial aid and recruits more than 500 students.
But there are many driving forces to speed up, especially from small liberal arts colleges, who believe taxes will debilitate and damage their ability to provide scholarships to low-income students. The Senate Finance Committee seems to have listened.
Grinnell College Dean Anne Harris is an Iowa private institution that registers about 1,750 students but is hesitant. With negotiations still in progress, Harris said she could not “confidently predict” how the bill would affect its institutions.
However, we “thank you to the Iowa delegation for their attention on this matter.”
Meanwhile, the Senate lifted its immunity to religious institutions and lawmakers went on strike. (The conservative Christian institution Hillsdale College will still be exempted as it does not participate in any federal student aid programs.)
University Responsibility Measures
Senate Republicans of the rescue committee have slightly adjusted their plans to keep colleges accountable, a key issue for higher education lobbyists.
The proposed quality test (called the “no harm” standard) is attracted to ensure a positive return on investment in college admissions by comparing the median salary to the salaries of adults with high school diplomas.
In the first version of the bill, senators used all undergraduate income four years after stopping classes, whether they completed their degree or not. But now, under the latest version of the bill, the test is only for graduate students.
Emmanual Guillory, senior director of government relations at the U.S. Board of Education, told Internal Advanced ED It is unfair to consider the income of a student who dropped out of school. He describes this change as a demonstration of “responsiveness” on the mountain.
“It’s clear that staff are listening to stakeholders and working to develop the most balanced, realistic approach,” Gilory said.
Graduate programs will also be evaluated based on the new criteria by comparing students’ income to those of bachelor’s degree holders. Initially, students will compare six to ten years after the student stops attending class, depending on the type of course. Now, it will be conducted four years after graduation.
FAFSA Assets
When Congress passed a law that ordered the Department of Education to simplify free federal student aid applications, it adjusted the student aid index formula, requiring farmers and small business owners to list their property and equipment as assets.
Senators have planned to reverse the change in the initial settlement bill, but the updated version has taken a step further by increasing the exemption for commercial fishermen. It states that there is no need to list the fishing boats, permits and any other related fees owned by the family.
