Higher Education Programs Authorization Extension bill

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Title I: General Provisions

Title II: Improving Teacher Quality

Title III: Institutional Aid

Title IV: Student Assistance

Title V: Graduate and Post-Secondary Improvement Programs

Title VI: International Education Programs

Title VII: Related Programs and Amendments to Other Acts

Higher Education Act Amendments of 1998 - Title I: General Provisions - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to repeal the current title I (Partnerships for Educational Excellence).

(Sec. 102) Repeals a disclaimer that nothing in Federal law shall be construed to authorize any Federal agency, officer, or employee to exercise direction, supervision, or control over membership practices or internal operations of fraternal organizations, fraternities, sororities, private clubs, or religious organizations at higher education institutions that are financed exclusively by private funds and have facilities not owned by the institutions.

(Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary of Education to: (1) publish the expiration dates of terms of members of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity; and (2) solicit nominations for vacancies on such Committee.

(Sec. 104) Sets forth provisions relating to prior rights and responsibilities (including authorization of appropriations) and to recovery of payments under HEA title VII (Construction, Reconstruction, and Renovation of Academic Facilities) (as in effect before title VII is repealed by this Act).

Title II: Improving Teacher Quality - Revises, and transfers to title II, various teacher education provisions (currently in title V). Repeals various unfunded programs, replacing them with a comprehensive program to: (1) improve student achievement; (2) improve preparation of prospective teachers and professional development for teachers; and (3) make higher education institutions accountable for preparing teachers.

(Sec. 201) Makes States eligible to compete for Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants to institute State-level reforms to ensure that current and future teachers possess necessary teaching skills and academic content knowledge in the subject areas in which they are assigned to teach.

Provides for one-time Teacher Training Partnership Grants to local partnerships that: (1) shall include a school of arts and sciences, a school or program of education, a local educational agency (LEA), and a kindergarten-through-grade-12 school; (2) shall include a high need local educational agency or kindergarten-through-grade-12 school; and (3) may include a State education agency (SEA), pre-kindergarten program, non-profit group, business, or teacher organization.

Sets forth accountability requirements for Enhancement and Partnership grants.

Directs the Secretary of Education, through the National Center for Education Statistics, to study and report to the Congress on the ways teachers are trained and the extent to which teachers in the United States and other comparable countries (including all participants in the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)) are teaching in areas other than the teachers' field of study or expertise (out-of-field teaching).

Authorizes appropriations through FY 2004.

Directs the Secretary to award competitive grants to eligible partnerships of higher education institutions and LEAs serving underserved areas to award scholarships, and provide support and followup services, to students in a teacher preparation program, who shall within seven years of completing such program teach full-time for at least five years in a high-poverty school in an underserved geographic area, or repay the amount of the scholarship. Authorizes appropriations.

Title III: Institutional Aid - Revises HEA title III to give special consideration to applications for Strengthening Institutions grants which propose to acquire high technology equipment for use in strengthening funds management and academic programs.

(Sec. 303) Allows institutions to use up to 20 percent of such grants to establish or increase an endowment fund.

Requires a two-year wait-out-period between the receipt of consecutive five-year grants.

Eliminates title III part A provisions for Hispanic-serving institutions. (Sets forth new provisions for such institutions under title V part F.)

Directs the Secretary to provide grants and related assistance to American Indian Tribal Colleges and Universities to improve and expand their capacity to serve Indian students. Allows such institutions to use up to 20 percent of part A grants to establish or expand an endowment fund.

(Sec. 304) Allows Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to use up to 20 percent of part B grants to establish or expand an endowment fund.

Revises requirements for eligible professional or graduate institutions to: (1) require matching funds from non-Federal sources only for grants in excess of a specified amount; and (2) allow spending for any qualified graduate program.

(Sec. 305) Revises requirements for endowment challenge funds for institutions eligible for assistance under part A or part B.

(Sec. 306) Revises, and transfers to title III part D, requirements for HBCU Capital Financing (currently under title VII part B). Includes administrative facilities, student centers, and student unions as capital projects. Authorizes the Secretary to sell guaranteed qualified bonds to any party offering the best terms.

(Sec. 307) Revises, and transfers to title III part E, requirements for the Minority Science Improvement Program (currently Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Programs under title X part B). Includes the behavioral sciences under such program.

(Sec. 308) Extends the authorization of appropriations for title III programs through FY 2004.

Title IV: Student Assistance - Part A: Grants to Students in Attendance at Institutions of Higher Education - Revises HEA title IV part A to repeal authority for: (1) Presidential Access Scholarships; (2) model program community partnership and counseling grants; (3) public information; (4) a National Student Savings Demonstration Program; (5) pre-eligibility forms; and (6) technical assistance for teachers and counselors.

(Sec. 411) Repeals authority for special child care services for disadvantaged college students (but establishes a program of campus-based child care for low-income parents in postsecondary education).

Repeals authority for the State postsecondary review program.

(Sec. 412) Revises the Federal Pell Grant program to extend program authority through FY 2004 and increase the Federal Pell Grant maximum awards.

Changes the name of the program from Basic Education Opportunities Grants to the Federal Pell Grant program.

Replaces the current mandatory 85 percent advance payments to institutions with an alternative system (to be determined by the Secretary) that provides accurate and timely Pell grant program payments to institutions.

Revises Pell grant requirements pertaining to maximum and minimum grants.

Limits the period of a student's eligibility to receive a Pell grant to 150 percent of the period normally required to complete a course of study (full-time or part-time, as appropriate), with exceptions for students with disabilities.

Revises requirements relating to Pell grants for separate courses in English language proficiency.

(Sec. 413) Revises requirements Federal Early Outreach and Student Services Programs (which include Federal Trio Programs and National Early Intervention Scholarship and Partnership Program, as well as programs added by this Act).

Increases the minimum grant level for Federal TRIO programs.

Revises procedures for awarding TRIO grants and contracts. Permits TRIO directors to administer more than one program for disadvantaged students.

Extends the authorization of appropriations for TRIO programs through FY 2004.

Includes in the Talent Search Program activities designed to acquaint youth with careers in which individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds are particularly underrepresented.

Revises authorized activities in Upward Bound to include work-study positions where participating youth are exposed to careers requiring a postsecondary degree. Allows those in such work-study positions to receive a $300 monthly stipend during June, July, and August.

Requires the Secretary, in awarding Student Support Services grants to institutions, to consider the institution's efforts and past history in maintaining each student's loan burden at a manageable level when fulfilling the requirement of offering financial assistance to meet full financial need.

Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to TRIO project entities to work in partnership with non-TRIO entities to disseminate and replicate best practices of, and provide technical assistance for, TRIO projects.

(Sec. 414) Extends the authorization of appropriations for the National Early Intervention Scholarship and Partnership program through FY 2004.

(Sec. 415) Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Federal supplemental educational opportunity grants (SEOG) program through FY 2004. Eliminates a specific percentage requirement relating to use of SEOG funds for less-than-full-time or independent students. Revises the formula for distributing SEOG campus-based funds in excess of the base guarantee amounts by eliminating a pro rata requirement and allowing all such distribution to be based on fair share. Provides for carry-over and carry-back authority and reallocation with respect to an institution's SEOG funds.

(Sec. 416) Renames the State Student Incentive Grant (SSIG) program as the Special Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program (LEAP).

Extends the authorization of appropriations for such program through FY 2004.

Directs the Secretary to allot LEAP grants to States for a one-third Federal share of the cost of assisting eligible needy students by: (1) increasing the dollar amount of LEAP aid; (2) carrying out transition programs from secondary to postsecondary education; (3) making funds available for community service work-study activities; (4) creating a postsecondary scholarship program for those who wish to enter teaching; (5) creating a scholarship program for those who wish to enter a program of study leading to a degree in mathematics, computer science, or engineering; (6) carrying out early intervention, mentoring, and career education programs; and (7) awarding merit or academic scholarships.

Sets forth requirements relating to Federal-State relationships and State agreements under such program.

(Sec. 417) Extends the authorization of appropriations through FY 2004 for the high school equivalency program and the college assistance migrant program for students whose families are engaged in migrant and seasonal farmwork.

(Sec. 418) Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program through FY 2004.

(Sec. 419) Establishes a campus-based child care program under a new subpart 7 (Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CAMPUS). Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to institutions of higher education to assist them in providing campus-based child care services to low-income students. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2004.

Part B: Federal Family Education Loan Program - Revises HEA title IV part B (Federal Family Education Loan Program) with respect to advances to reserve funds.

(Sec. 422) Requires each guaranty agency to establish and deposit specified funds for certain uses into a Federal Student Loan Reserve Fund, with such funds to be invested in obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States or a State, or in other similarly low-risk securities selected by the guaranty agency.

(Sec. 423) Requires each guaranty agency to establish and deposit specified funds for certain uses into an Agency Operating Fund, with such funds (except those transferred from the Reserve Fund) to be invested at the guaranty agency's discretion.

(Sec. 424) Revises requirements regarding: (1) applicable interest rates for student loans; and (2) special allowances.

(Sec. 425) Revises requirements for Federal payments to reduce student interest costs with respect to: (1) Federal interest subsidies; (2) insurance program agreements, including options for repayment plans; (3) guaranty agreements for reimbursing losses; (4) payments for the costs of certain activities; (5) lenders-of-last-resort; and (6) default aversion assistance.

Repeals provisions for: (1) payment to guaranty agencies for lender referral services; and (2) a State share of default costs.

(Sec. 426) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into voluntary flexible agreements with guaranty agencies.

(Sec. 427) Revises provisions for Federal PLUS loans to parents to: (1) authorize the Secretary to specify additional eligibility criteria; and (2) make PLUS loan applicants subject to verification of immigration status and social security number.

(Sec. 428) Revises requirements for Federal consolidation loans to exclude from eligibility for consolidating defaulted loans any borrowers from whom involuntary payments are secured through litigation or administrative wage garnishment.

(Sec. 429) Revises conditions for multiple disbursements of student loans. Exempts institutions with low cohort default rates from certain disbursement and endorsement requirements.

(Sec. 431) Revises requirements relating to eligible borrowers of unsubsidized Stafford loans.

(Sec. 432) Repeals the demonstration program for loan forgiveness for nurses and individuals performing national community service (while retaining the program of loan forgiveness for teachers).

(Sec. 433) Authorizes the Secretary to carry out a demonstration program of student loan forgiveness for borrowers who complete a degree in early childhood education and become full-time providers in a child care facility. Directs the Secretary to evaluate, and report to the President and the Congress, on the impact of such program on the field of early childhood education. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2004.

(Sec. 434) Directs the Secretary to prescribe common application forms and promissory notes, or multiyear promissory notes, for student financial assistance. Allows guaranty agencies, borrowers, and lenders to use electronically printed versions of the common forms approved by the Secretary.

(Sec. 435) Revises requirements for lender disclosure of student loan information to borrowers to permit disclosure by electronic means.

(Sec. 436) Requires any institution appealing loss of eligibility to pay the Secretary, during the pendency of the appeal, the equivalent of interest, special allowance, reinsurance, and any related payments the Secretary makes (or is obligated to make) with respect to loans to attending students. Requires any institution exceeding the cohort default rate threshold percentage for two consecutive years to submit to the Secretary a satisfactory default management plan. Formulates a participation rate index. Exempts from loss of eligibility any institution whose participation rate index is equal to or less than 0.0375 for any of the three applicable indices.

Makes an eligible lender any bank that: (1) is a wholly owned subsidiary of a tax-exempt nonprofit foundation; (2) makes loans only to undergraduate students age 22 or younger; and (3) has a portfolio of such loans that is not more than $5 million.

Declares that when appeals are considered with respect to cohort default rates, improperly serviced loans shall be excluded from the calculation of the number of students who entered repayment, and from the calculation of the number of students who default.

(Sec. 437) Prescribes requirements for delegation of functions by an eligible lender or guaranty agency. Repeals the authority of the government of the District of Columbia to establish a student loan insurance program.

(Sec. 438) Revises requirements relating to the Secretary's collection of origination fees through deduction from interest and special allowance subsidies.

(Sec. 439) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to study, and report to specified congressional committees on, market-based mechanisms for determining student loan interest rates.

Part C: Federal Work-Study Programs - Extends the authorization of appropriations for HEA title IV part C Federal Work-Study Programs through FY 2004.

(Sec. 442) Revises work-study program grant requirements with respect to use of funds for independent and less-than-full time students.

Sets the Federal share of work-study compensation for students employed in community service at not more than 90 percent.

(Sec. 443) Revises requirements, and extends through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations, for work colleges.

Part D: William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program - Amends HEA title IV part D (William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program) to revise criteria for selection of institutions for Federal direct loan program participation and origination.

(Sec. 452) Revises the formula for applicable interest rates for Federal direct student loans.

Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe cost-neutral interest rate reductions for such loans to encourage on-time repayment.

(Sec. 453) Revises direct loan program requirements for contracts for origination, servicing, and data systems.

(Sec. 454) Sets forth requirements regarding funds for administrative expenses through FY 2004. Revises the calculation basis for account maintenance fees payable to guaranty agencies.

(Sec. 455) Sets forth requirements for cancellation of Stafford-Ford loans for teachers.

Part E: Federal Perkins Loans - Amends HEA title IV part E (Federal Perkins Loans) to extend the authorization of appropriations for the Perkins Loan program through FY 2004.

(Sec. 462) Revises requirements for: (1) allocation of funds; and (2) institutional default rate calculation and penalties.

(Sec. 463) Revises requirements for agreements with institutions of higher education. Requires institutions to report at least annually to credit bureaus any changes to information previously disclosed.

(Sec. 464) Revises terms and conditions of loans. Eliminates loans to students in institutions that do not have agreements with the Secretary. Provides for loans of up to $8,000 for each of the third and fourth years of undergraduate study, and up to $10,000 for the first year of graduate study, for juniors who state in writing that they will study to become full-time elementary or secondary school teachers in schools meeting certain criteria.

Sets forth conditions for discharge and rehabilitation of loans.

Authorizes participating institutions of higher education to establish incentive repayment programs, with the Secretary's approval.

(Sec. 465) Revises requirements for distribution of assets from student loan funds to extend the program.

(Sec. 466) Repeals authority for a Perkins Loan Revolving Fund, and requires transfer of its funds to the Treasury.

Part F: Need Analysis - Revises HEA title IV part F (Need Analysis) cost of attendance requirements to eliminate specified dollar ceilings on the cost of room and board. Increases income protection allowances for student and family contributions, requiring the Secretary to revise these allowances for each academic year. Replaces current requirements for student financial aid administrator adjustments to loan certifications for special circumstances with general authorization to refuse or adjust loan certifications, with written documentation.

Part G: General Provisions - Revises or establishes HEA title IV part G General Provisions relating to: (1) compliance with a master calendar; (2) delay of effective date for late publications; (3) a common financial aid form; (4) use of applications via electronic forms; (5) payments for data; (6) a multiyear promissory note; (7) student eligibility (to include those who have met State requirements with respect to high school education in a home school setting); (8) verification of income data with the Internal Revenue Service; (9) suspension of eligibility for drug-related offenses; (10) institutional refunds; (11) institutional and financial assistance information for students; (12) electronic media for information dissemination and for exit counseling for borrowers; (13) disclosures required with respect to athletically related student aid; (14) disclosure of campus security policy and campus crime statistics; (15) the national student loan data system; (16) training in financial aid services; (17) specified information on the costs of higher education, and fines for institutions that fail to provide such information; (18) program participation agreements; (19) regulatory relief and improvement; (20) distance education demonstration programs; (21) the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance; and (22) regional meetings and negotiated rulemaking.

Part H: Program Integrity Triad - Revises HEA title IV part H (Program Integrity Triad) to replace authority for the State Postsecondary Review Program with requirements relating to State responsibilities and institutional responsibility.

(Sec. 492) Revises, or establishes, program integrity requirements relating to: (1) standards for accrediting agency recognition; (2) operating procedures; (3) a single application form; (4) financial responsibility standards; (5) financial guarantees from owners; (6) applications and site visits; (7) eligibility time limitations and renewal; (8) provisional certification; (9) treatment of branches; (10) program review and data; and (11) special administrative rules.

Part I: Administrative Provisions for Delivery of Student Financial Assistance - Establishes a performance-based organization (PBO) in the Department of Education to administer various functions relating to student financial assistance programs.

(Sec. 495) Vests management of the PBO in a Chief Operating Officer (COO) appointed by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary and the COO to develop an annual performance agreement for the PBO establishing measurable goals and objectives for the organization.

Authorizes appropriations.

Title V: Graduate and Postsecondary Education Improvement - Sets forth a new HEA title V (Graduate and Postsecondary Education Improvement) programs to replace the current HEA title V (Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Development), hereby repealed.

(Sec. 501) Transfers to title V (from current titles IX, X, and XI): (1) the Jacob K. Javits Fellowship Program; (2) Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need; (3) Urban Community Service; and (4) the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education.

Part A: Jacob K. Javits Fellowship Program - Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Jacob K. Javits Fellowship program through FY 2004.

(Sec. 511) Increases the amount of the payment to an institution with respect to each individual awarded a fellowship under such program.

Revises requirements for award of such fellowships to limit eligibility to students who demonstrate financial need. Sets forth requirements for the process and timing of the fellowship competition. Authorizes the Secretary to contract with a nongovernmental agency to administer the program.

Part B: Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need - Extends the authorization of appropriations for Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need through FY 2004.

(Sec. 521) Increases the amount of the payment to an institution with respect to each individual awarded a fellowship under such program.

Revises requirements for designation of areas of national need and content of applications.

Part C: Urban Community Service - Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Urban Community Service grants program through FY 2004.

(Sec. 531) Requires the Secretary to give priority to applicant eligible institutions that demonstrate commitment to urban community service.

Part D: Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education - Extends through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations for the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, and for its grants for planning and special projects.

(Sec. 541) Allows a greater number of technical employees.

Includes among authorized special projects: (1) institutional restructuring to improve learning and promote cost efficiencies; (2) evaluation and dissemination of model programs; and (3) articulation between two-year and four-year institutions, including developing innovative methods to ensure the successful transfer of students.

Part E: Higher Education Access for Students with Disabilities - Sets forth a new title V part E (Higher Education Access for Students with Disabilities).

(Sec. 551) Directs the Secretary to award competitive grants to higher education institutions to develop model programs to provide technical assistance, training, and professional development for faculty and administrators to teach effectively students with disabilities. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to higher education institutions to disseminate their demonstrated exceptional programs for disabilities. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2004.

Sets forth a new title V part F (Hispanic-Serving Institutions) (replacing current title III provisions for such institutions). Directs the Secretary to provide grants and related assistance to Hispanic-serving institutions to enable them to improve and expand their capacity to serve Hispanic and other low-income students. Defines Hispanic-serving institution as an eligible institution with an undergraduate full-time equivalent enrollment that is: (1) at least 25 percent Hispanic; and (2) provides assurance that at least 50 percent of its Hispanic students are low-income individuals. Authorizes appropriations through FY 2004.

Sets forth a new title V part G (General Provisions), including requirements for part A and B program evaluations and continuation awards.

Title VI: International Education Programs - Extends through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations for part A (International and Foreign Language Studies).

(Sec. 601) Revises or establishes provisions for: (1) graduate and undergraduate national language and area centers and programs and authorized activities; (2) language resource centers; (3) incentives for new and existing undergraduate international studies and foreign language programs, and Federal share and use of funds for such programs; (4) research, studies, and reports; (5) selection of certain grant applicants; (6) equitable distribution of certain funds; (7) American overseas research centers; and (8) development grants for new such centers.

(Sec. 602) Extends the authorization of appropriations for part B (Business and International Education Programs) through FY 2004.

Revises requirements for centers for international business education.

(Sec. 603) Extends through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations for the Institute for International Public Policy. Raises from one-fourth to one-half the non-Federal matching funds requirement for the minority foreign service professional development program. Requires the non-Federal contribution to be from private sector sources. Revises requirements for the study abroad program to extend the program to students completing the third year of study in the case of a summer abroad program.

Provides for an institutional development program of grants to historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally controlled community colleges, and minority institutions, to strengthen their international affairs programs.

(Sec. 604) Repeals provisions relating to preservation of pre-1992 programs.

Title VII: Related Programs and Amendments to Other Laws - Part A: Indian Education Programs - Amends the Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act of 1978 to rename it the Tribally Controlled College or University Act of 1978.

(Sec. 711) Extends such Act's programs to colleges and universities.

Increases the amount per Indian student of grants to such colleges and universities.

Extends through FY 2004 the authorization of appropriations for grants, endowment, and economic development programs.

(Sec. 712) Amends the American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Culture and Art Development Act to extend through FY 1999 the authorization of appropriations for the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development.

Part B: Advanced Placement Incentive Program - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States to reimburse low-income individuals for the cost of advanced placement test fees. (This program is currently under the Higher Education Amendments of 1992.)

(Sec. 721) Revises such program to: (1) encourage States to support advanced placement teacher training and related activities designed to increase the participation of low-income individuals; and (2) permit the use of up to five percent of funds to disseminate information about the availability of test fee payments.

Extends the authorization of appropriations for such program through FY 2004.

Part C: Institute for Peace Act - Amends the United States Institute for Peace Act to extend the authorization of appropriations for the Institute.

Part D: Community Scholarship Mobilization - Community Scholarship Mobilization Act - Directs the Secretary of Education to award an endowment grant, on a competitive basis, to a national organization to support the establishment or ongoing work of regional, State or community program centers that foster development of local entities in high poverty areas to improve high school graduation rates and postsecondary attendance through academic support services and postsecondary scholarship assistance.

(Sec. 745) Directs the Secretary to award one or more such endowment grants pursuant to an agreement with a national association which requires that: (1) 70 percent of endowment fund interest income in any fiscal year be used to assist such centers; (2) 30 percent of such income in any fiscal year be used for scholarships for students from low-income families, to be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis from funds raised by the local entities; and (3) at least 50 percent of all the interest income from the endowment be allocated to establish new local entities or support regional, State, or community program centers in high poverty areas.

(Sec. 746) Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000.

Part E: Grants to States for Workplace and Community Transition Training for Incarcerated Youth Offenders - Directs the Secretary of Education to carry out the program of Grants to States for Workplace and Community Transition Training for Incarcerated Youth Offenders (currently under HEA title X part E).

(Sec. 751) Extends the authorization of appropriations for such program through FY 2004.

Part F: Education of the Deaf - Education of the Deaf Amendments of 1998 - Amends the Education of the Deaf Act (EDA) to: (1) require elementary and secondary programs to comply with certain requirements under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act; (2) revise requirements relating to agreements with Gallaudet University and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID); and (3) revise requirements for audits, reports, investments, and international students.

(Sec. 768) Extends through FY 2003 the authorization of appropriations for monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.

(Sec. 769) Revises requirements for Federal endowment programs payments, and for withdrawals and expenditures. Extends through FY 2003 the authorization of appropriations for Federal endowment programs (for Gallaudet University and NTID).

(Sec. 771) Requires Gallaudet University and the NTID to: (1) establish and disseminate research priorities that reflect public input; and (2) submit reports to the Secretary of Education and specified congressional committees.

(Sec. 772) Extends through FY 2003 the authorization of appropriations for Gallaudet University and NTID programs under EDA.

(Sec. 773) Directs the Secretary of Education to establish a Commission on the Education of the Deaf to identify those education-related factors in the lives of deaf individuals that: (1) result in barriers to successful postsecondary education experiences and employment; or (2) contribute to successful postsecondary education and employment experiences.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1999 and 2000.

Part G: Repeals - Repeals the following HEA provisions: (1) under title VII (Construction, Reconstruction, and Renovation of Academic Facilities), part A (Improvement of Academic and Library Facilities), part C (Loans for Construction, Reconstruction and Renovation of Academic, Housing, and Other Educational Facilities), part D (College Construction Loan Insurance Association), and part E (General Provisions); (2) title VIII (Cooperative Education); (3) under title IX (Graduate Programs), part A (Grants to Institutions and Consortia to Encourage Women and Minority Participation in Graduate Education), part B (Patricia Roberts Harris Fellowship Program), part E (Faculty Development Fellowship Program), part F (Assistance for Training in Legal Profession), and part G (Law School Clinical Experience Programs); (4) under title X (Postsecondary Improvement Programs), part B subpart 2 (Science and Engineering Access Programs), part C (Women and Minorities Science and Engineering Outreach Demonstration Program), and part D (Dwight D. Eisenhower Leadership Program); and (5) under title XI (Community Service Programs), part B (Innovative Projects).

(Sec. 781) Repeals the following provisions under the Higher Education Amendments of 1992: (1) under title XIII (Indian Higher Education Programs), part E (Tribal Development Student Assistance Act), part F (American Indian Postsecondary Economic Development Scholarship), and part G (American Indian Teacher Training); (2) title XIV (Studies and Commissions); and (3) title XV (Related Programs and Amendments to Other Laws), including parts A (National Center for the Workplace), part B (National Clearinghouse for Postsecondary Education Materials), part C (School-Based Decisionmakers), part D (Grants for Sexual Offenses Education), and part E (Olympic Scholarships).

Part H: Miscellaneous - Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Department of Education should: (1) assess immediately the extent of the risk to the operations of the student financial aid system posed by the year 2000 computer problem; (2) give the highest priority to correcting all two-digit date-related problems in the Department's computer systems to ensure that those systems continue to operate effectively in the year 2000 and beyond; and (3) develop contingency plans, with respect to the year 2000 computer problem, for those computer systems that the Department is unable to correct in time.

(Sec. 791) Directs the Secretary of Education to report to specified congressional committees on the compliance status of all mission critical systems at the Department, as well as such contingency plans.