Higher Education Amendments

Higher Education Amendments - Extends the authorization for appropriations in the amout of $110,000,000 to carry out the provisions of the Higher Education Act of 1965. Removes specified limitations for grants under such Act to developing institutions on Indian reservations or if such grant will increase higher education for Spanish speaking people. Increases the membership of the Advisory Council on Developing Institutions from nine members to twelve.

Includes as a purpose of the student assistance program under such Act the providing of educational opportunity grants to students who would otherwise be unable to obtain the benefits of a postsecondary education.

Extends basic educational opportunity grants under such Act through fiscal year 1979. Provides that the amount of the basic grant shall not exceed 50 percent of the difference between the cost of attendance at an eligible educational institution and the expected family contribution with respect to that student. Authorizes the Commissioner of Education to prescribe by regulation an average cost of attendance at such institution in lieu of the actual cost if such regulation will assist in the administration of such programs. Includes social security benefits as a criteria for determining the expected family contribution.

Repeals the supplemental education opportunity grants program under such Act. Authorizes appropriations of $44,000,000 annually through fiscal year 1979 for payments to States for educational grants to students. Provides that no student shall be excluded from eligibility for State grants solely by the reason of the public or nonprofit private character of the institution of higher education attended.

Authorizes appropriations of $60,331,000 annually through fiscal year 1979 for special programs for disadvantaged students under such Act. States that such programs shall include projects to identify qualified youths and to assist such youths: (1) in reentering or completing secondary school or the equivalent; (2) in preparing to enter post secondary study; (3) in deciding on a post secondary program and gaining admission to such program; and (4) in obtaining financial assistance to pursue such a program.

Repeals provisions under such Act relating to Assistance to Institutions of Higher Education. Extends appropriations for guaranteed student loan programs under such Act through fiscal year 1979. Extends the Federal insurance on such loans to September 30, 1983.

Authorizes the Commissioner to increase the loan limitation to an aggregate sum of $25,000 for students engaged in specialized training which requires exceptionally high costs of education.

Authorizes the Secretary to extend repayment of loans exceeding $10,000 for more than ten years. Provides for repayments in variable installments for such loans.

Directs the Commissioner to make any necessary determinations (except for good standing) for Federal interest subsidy payment loans to students attending eligible institutions outside the United States. Directs the State to make such determination for state student loans.

Permits the compounding of interest on student loans. Increases the maximum annual interest rate on such loans from seven percent to eight percent.

Allows the Commissioner to enter into guaranty agreements with State loan programs to reimburse such agencies for loss of accrued interest on the loan in case of default.

Increases the maximum insurance premiums the Commissioner may charge for insurance on guaranteed student loans from one-fourth of one percent to one percent.

Allows the Commissioner to delegate specified functions to the regional offices of the Office of Education including: (1) reviewing applications for loan insurance and issuing contracts for Federal loan insurance; and (2) receiving and approving claims for payments on student loans in default.

Increases the special allowance paid by the Commissioner to holders of loans under the Emergency Insured Student Loan Act of 1969 from three to four percent per annum on any loan made prior to 180 days after enactment of this Act. Extends the Emergency Insured Student Loan Act until October 1, 1979.

Authorizes appropriations of $250,000,000 annually through fiscal year 1979 for work study programs under the Higher Education Act. Directs that one-third of such appropriations be directed at programs for children of families at the poverty level as determined under this Act.

Authorizes the Commissioner to reallot amounts to States provided under such Act if the amount exceeds that which is required for work study programs at institutions of higher education. Includes as being eligible for grants under such programs, persons who are beyond the age of compulsory school attendance and have the ability to benefit from such programs. Provides that the Federal share of the compensation for students in work study programs shall not exceed 80 percent for fiscal year 1976, 70 percent for fiscal year 1977, 60 percent for fiscal year 1978, and 50 percent for fiscal year 1979. Allows the Commissioner to increase such percentage if required to further the purposes of such programs.

Authorizes appropriations of $8,000,000 annually through fiscal year 1979 for cooperative education programs under such Act.

Requires, under the National Direct Student Loan Program, institutions which were granted funds under such program to maintain the fund established under such program for the purpose of making loans to needy students. Requires that any proceeds from the sale of student loans made out of such fund be deposited into the student loan fund. Exempts student loans from specified provisions of such Act. Increases the interest rates on such loans to eight percent. Provides that the liability to repay any student loans shall be cancelled upon the death or permanent and total disability of the borrower.

Provides that any student loan fund established under such Act may continue in existence under the control of the institution of higher education at which such fund was established.

Provides for a capital distribution of such fund if the liquid assets of the fund exceed the amount required for loans or the fund is no longer being used solely for the purposes set forth in such Act. Specfies how such fund shall be distributed.

Requires as a criteria of eligibility for institutions under such Act that such institution: (1) permit the Commissioner to have access to the financial, attendance, admission and other records maintained by the institution; (2) comply with standards of financial responsibility and institutional capability for administration of such student financial aid programs prescribed by the Commissioner; and (3) comply with regulations concerning the maintenance of specified records.

Authorizes the Commissioner to establish regulations regarding eligibility, termination, and participation in programs under such Act. Directs the Commissioner to publish a list of State agencies which are determined to be reliable authority as to the quality of public post secondary vocational education or training to determine eligibility for such programs. Includes in the definition of "institution of higher learning" under such Act institutions which admit students beyond the age of compulsory school attendance who have an ability to benefit from the training offered by such institution.

Directs the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Eligibility to advise the Commissioner regarding standards to qualify institutions or programs in such category to participate in programs under such Act.

Authorizes the Commissioner to prescribe, by regulation, coordinated procedures to reduce paperwork, and exchange information with agencies, institutions, and other organizations participating in student assistance programs to coordinate the administration of such programs.

Includes as a purpose of the education development programs under such Act the providing of in-service training to currently qualified or tenured teachers to meet new and emerging problems in education and providing additional skills to assist administrative personnel in carrying out such programs.

Authorizes appropriations of $37,500,000 for fiscal year 1979, for provisions relating to the attracting and qualifying of teachers to work in low income areas under such Act.

Repeals provisions of such Act relating to: (1) fellowships for teachers and related educational personnel; and (2) training programs for educational personnel in higher education, vocational education, and other than higher education institutions.

Includes as a purpose of the Teacher Corps program under such Act the training of educational personnel other than teachers and teacher aides in elementary and secondary schools. Directs the Commissioner to promulgate regulations setting forth criteria for the funding of demonstration projects under such program.

States that the fund for higher education academic facilities loans and loan insurance established under such Act shall be available to the Commissioner for the purpose of meeting obligations with respect to loans and loan commitments for the construction of academic facilities made or entered into prior to July 1, 1975.

Authorizes the Commissioner to award fellowships under such Act to enable veterans to resume study under college teacher fellowships interrupted by service in the Armed Forces. Repeals provisions regarding graduate school programs under such Act which relate to grants to institutions of higher education, public service fellowships and general assistance to graduate schools.

Establishes a National Advisory Committee on Institutional Eligibility in the Office of Education to advise and make recommendations to the Commissioner with respect to all matters pertaining to institutional and program eligibility. Requires such committee to make an annual report to Congress with a summary of the committee's activities, findings, and recommendations.

Repeals the following titles of the Higher Education Act of 1965: (1) Community Service Program Grants; (2) Library Assistance; (3) Financial Assistance for the Improvement of Undergraduate Instruction; (4) Education for the Public Service; (5) Law School Clincial Experience Programs; and (6) General Provisions.

Authorizes appropriations of $8,640,000 annually through fiscal year 1979 for language development programs under the National Defense Education Act of 1958. Repeals the International Education Act of 1966.

Authorizes appropriations under the General Education Provision Act of $17,500,000 annually through fiscal year 1979.

Makes available to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, one-half of one percent of the amount appropriated for programs under such Act or $25,000,000 whichever is less for carrying out planning and evaluation activities described under such Act. States that such amount shall be used for the evaluation of programs under specified Acts relating to education.