Higher Education Amendments of 1985

(Measure passed House, amended, roll call #429 (350-67))

Higher Education Amendments of 1985 - Title I: Amendment to Title I of the Act - Amends title I of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) regarding post-secondary programs for non-traditional students and the establishment and awarding of educational program and planning grants. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for such purpose.

Amends provisions of HEA concerning the responsibilities of the Secretary of Education (the Secretary) in the evaluation of national education programs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for such purpose.

Title II: Amendments to Title II of the Act - Redesignates title II of HEA as: Title II: Academic Library and Information Technology Enhancement. Authorizes appropriations for programs under such title for FY 1987 through 1991.

Authorizes the making of grants for the enhancement of college library resources. Repeals provisions concerning the making of special purpose grants.

Establishes a grant program for supporting college library technology and developmental cooperation.

Title III: Amendment to Title III of the Act - Amends title III of HEA in the area of institutional aid through grants and in increasing financial assistance to historically black colleges and universities. Authorizes the Secretary to award challenge grants to certain qualifying institutions. Reserves a specified sum of previously appropriated funds for the use of eligible institutions serving a high percentage of Hispanic, Black, Asian American, and Native American students.

Outlines application requirements for institutions requesting financial assistance. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 to carry out programs under title III.

Title IV: Revisions to Title IV of the Act - Part A: Revision of Part A of Title IV - Amends Part A (Grants to Students in Attendance at Institutions of Higher Education) of title IV (Student Assistance) of HEA to authorize the making of basic educational opportunity grants (Pell grants) to students in attendance at institutions of higher education. Sets out the amount of such grants for each qualifying individual.

Authorizes a program of supplemental educational opportunity grants to qualified students demonstrating financial need. Authorizes appropriations for the making of such grants for FY 1987 through 1991. Outlines selection procedures for the awarding of such grants.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for the purpose of awarding grants to States to enable States to provide grants or State work-study jobs to eligible students attending institutions of higher education. Outlines application procedures for States applying for such grants.

Authorizes the Secretary to provide special programs for students from disadvantaged backgrounds (including talent search, upward bound, student support services, educational opportunity centers, and staff development activities). Authorizes appropriations for 1987 through 1991 for such programs.

Authorizes the establishment of a National Center for Postsecondary Opportunity to ensure the adequate availability of financial aid information.

Maintains and expands secondary and postsecondary high school equivalency program and college assistance migrant program projects. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for such purpose.

Establishes a Federal Merit Scholarship program. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1988 for such program.

Authorizes cost-of-education payments to institutions of higher education. Provides a formula for determining the amounts of such payments.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for the establishment of a veterans education outreach program which would authorize payments to institutions for each veteran enrolled at such institution and receiving veterans' educational assistance. Outlines provisions concerning eligibility for such payments.

Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education to provide special child care services to disadvantaged college students. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for such purpose.

Part B: Revision of Part B of Title IV: - Amends part B (Federal, State, and Private Programs of Low-Interest Insured Loans to Students in Institutions of Higher Education) of title IV to replace it with a new part B (Guaranteed Student Loan Program).

Prohibits discrimination by creditors lending credit under the guaranteed student loan program.

Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the student loan insurance fund; (2) Federal payments to reduce student interest costs; (3) certain State and nonprofit private loan insurance programs; and (4) repayment of loans of bankrupt, deceased, or disabled borrowers.

Outlines provisions concerning payments by the Secretary to the States of advanced funds for the establishment of State and nonprofit private loan insurance programs. Sets forth provisions concerning Federal loan insurance.

Authorizes the payment of Federal interest subsidies to reduce student loan interest costs. Outlines qualifications for students receiving such subsidies. Authorizes payments by the Secretary for the provision of lender referral services for students. Authorizes appropriations for the making of such payments for such referral services.

Authorizes the provision of supplemental loans to students and loans to parents of students. Authorizes the provision of consolidation loans to students for consolidation of all student loans made. Outlines qualifications for students receiving such consolidation loans.

Provides procedures in the event of default by a student on any loan covered under the Federal loan insurance program.

Directs the Secretary to exchange information with credit bureaus and institutions of higher learning for the purpose of promoting responsible repayment of loans under the Federal loan insurance program.

Establishes a student loan insurance fund for use by the Secretary in making payments on defaulted loans under the Federal loan insurance program.

Requires lenders who provide loans under the loan insurance program to provide thorough and accurate loan information concerning such loan to the borrower.

Authorizes Federal credit unions to participate in Federal, State, and private student loan insurance programs.

Authorizes the government of the District of Columbia to establish a student loan insurance program.

Authorizes repayment by the Secretary of loans of bankrupt, deceased, or disabled borrowers.

Establishes the Student Loan Marketing Association (the Association) to serve as a secondary market and warehousing facility for student loans. Authorizes appropriations to establish the Association. Outlines organizational rules, powers, and authorities of the Association, as well as actions to be taken by the Association in securing student loans.

Requires certain studies of: (1) multiple-year lines of credit; and (2) multiple disbursement.

Part C: College Work-Study Amendment - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for the provision of work-study programs for students at eligible institutions. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to eligible institutions for the operation of such work-study programs. Provides for the establishment of work-study programs whereby students perform community services specifically designed to aid low-income individuals and families.

Part D: (Not present)

Part E: Perkins Loans - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 and directs the Secretary to carry out a program for the making of low-interest, direct loans (Perkins loans) to students in order to pursue their courses. Authorizes additional appropriations for FY 1991 through 1996 to enable students to continue or complete their studies. Allocates appropriated funds among fiscal years. Provides procedures for determining an institution's need for the services of Perkins loans.

Outlines provisions to be included in agreements with institutions of higher learning for the payment of Federal capital contributions to student loan programs. Requires institutions to provide adequate loan information on any loans made to borrowers under such program. Outlines the terms of such loans. Authorizes the cancellation of loans for certain public service performed (e.g., teaching, or as a member of the armed forces). Provides for the collection of defaulted loans by the Secretary.

Part F: Need Analysis - Adds a new part F to title IV relating to need analysis (i.e. an analysis of the amount of financial assistance needed by students in order to attend institutions of higher education). Provides for the determination of the expected family contribution to a dependent student's educational costs, based on available income. Provides various tables to assist in the determination of available income. Provides a computation of the family contribution for independent students without dependents, and for such students with dependents. Provides adjustments to such need analysis for purposes of the Pell grant program.

Part G: Revision of General Provisions - Defines "institution of higher education" for purposes of eligibility under certain aforementioned grant programs. Provides a master calendar containing deadline dates for applications, forms, and fund distributions required under the various grant programs. Outlines student eligibility requirements for receiving grants, loans, or work-study assistance. Requires participating institutions of higher education to disseminate information concerning the institution and all financial assistance available.

Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts to provide training in the administration of financial aid and student support services. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1991 for such purposes.

Establishes an Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance to provide advice and counsel to the Congress on student financial aid matters.

Directs the Secretary to survey student aid recipients for the purpose of collecting and disseminating certain student aid information.

Establishes the National Commission on Family Responsibilities for Financing Postsecondary Education to study and report to the Congress on Federal policy regarding the appropriate family role in financing postsecondary education for family members.

Repeals the Student Financial Assistance Technical Amendments Act of 1982.

Title V: Amendment to Title V of the Act - Amends title V (Teacher Corps and Teacher Training Programs) of HEA to replace it with a new title V (Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Development). Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for and establishes programs in: (1) excellence in teacher education programs; (2) school, college, and university partnerships; (3) professional development and leadership programs; (4) teacher scholarships and fellowships; and (5) research, data collection and planning.

Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education to provide institutional support for teacher education programs. Outlines the requirements for such program.

Directs the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education for midcareer teacher training. Outlines the requirements for such program.

Authorizes the making of partnership agreements between eligible institutions of higher education and local education agencies in order to receive grants from the Secretary for the purpose of enhancing local academia. Outlines application requirements for such grants.

Authorizes the Secretary to award four grants for pilot community college partnership projects. Outlines requirements.

Establishes teaching academy demonstration projects in order to provide more effective instruction and guidance in the development of teaching skills through the creation of internships for beginning teachers. Outlines requirements for grant recipients.

Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to establish professional development resource centers for teachers. Outlines grant requirements. Requires each such center to be planned and operated by a professional development policy board.

Directs the Secretary to enter into contracts for the establishment and operation of technical assistance training centers in each State. Outlines general criteria for such contracts.

Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to State educational agencies to enable such agencies to support a fellowship program for teachers to be trained to provide special education for handicapped children. Sets out application requirements and other conditions of such grants.

Authorizes the Secretary to allocate grants to each State for the purpose of awarding Congressional Teacher Scholarships to high school students in such State. Outlines application requirements and selection criteria.

Authorizes the Secretary to award one national talented teacher fellowship to a public or private school teacher in each congressional district of each State, and one in each of the territories and possessions of the United States. Outlines application requirements and selection criteria.

Authorizes the Secretary to utilize specified legislative authority to assess annually the current and future supply and demand for teachers. Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to institutions of higher education for the conduct of research consistent with the collection of such information.

Requires institutions of higher education or other entities in any State, in order to be eligible for teacher training assistance under HEA for any fiscal year after FY 1986, to establish a State task force on teacher training. Outlines organizational rules, powers, and functions of such task forces.

Extends through October 1, 1991, the authorization of appropriations for the making of grants to the Robert A. Taft Institute of Government in New York.

Directs the Secretary to develop standards for the establishment of teacher warranty programs, defined as programs at education colleges that provide free training or support for any of their graduates that receive unsatisfactory evaluations after the first or second year as a teacher.

Title VI: Amendments to Title VI of the Act - Amends title VI (International Education Programs) of HEA to replace it with a new title VI to authorize the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education for the purpose of paying stipends to individuals undergoing advanced training in foreign language training programs or foreign studies programs. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for the establishment, operation, and strengthening of foreign language resource centers. Outlines activities to be carried out by such centers. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education for model programs designed to improve and expand foreign language studies at those institutions. Outlines eligibility requirements for institutions. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to establish intensive summer language institutes. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for such programs.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for the making of grants by the Secretary to educational institutions or libraries for the purpose of acquiring periodicals published outside the United States.

Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education to enable advanced foreign language students to develop their language skills and their knowledge of foreign cultures through study abroad. Permits such study to be combined with an internship in an international business. Sets forth eligibility requirements and the geographic areas in which such study may take place.

Directs the Secretary, at least two times each year, to convene an advisory board on the conduct of programs under Title VI of the Act.

Title VII: Amendment to Title VII of the Act - Directs the Secretary to carry out programs of financial assistance to institutions of higher education and to higher education building agencies for the construction, reconstruction, or renovation of academic facilities in order to bring such facilities in conformity with specified housing and environmental laws and regulations.

Requires States, in order to receive grants for the construction, reconstruction, or conversion of undergraduate academic facilities, to submit annually to the Secretary a State plan containing specified standards and procedures to be followed concerning the allocation of grant funds received by the States. Outlines criteria and allotment procedures. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for such purpose.

Directs the Secretary to make grants to graduate institutions of higher education which meet application requirements. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for such purposes.

Directs the Secretary to make and insure loans to institutions of higher education and to higher education building agencies for the construction, reconstruction, and renovation of academic facilities. Provides the terms for such loans. Establishes in the Treasury a revolving loan fund for the purpose of making and insuring such loans. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for such purposes.

Authorizes the Secretary to make annual interest grants to institutions of higher education and higher education building agencies to reduce the cost of borrowing from other sources for construction, reconstruction, and renovation projects. Sets limits and requirements for such grants.

Authorizes the participation of the U.S. Government and the Student Loan Market Association in a private, for profit College Construction Loan Insurance Association that will: (1) guarantee, insure, and reinsure various securities the proceeds of which are substantially to be used for an education facilities purpose; (2) guarantee, insure, and reinsure leases of property substantially to be used for an education facilities purpose; and (3) issue letters of credit and undertake obligations in order to increase the availability of funds for educational facilities and equipment. Provides for the establishment of the Corporation and for the issuing of annual reports by the Corporation to the President and the Congress.

Authorizes the Secretary to make loans to assist undergraduate postsecondary educational institutions in constructing, reconstructing, or renovating housing, academic facilities, or other educational facilities. Outlines eligibility requirements and the terms and conditions of such loans.

Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance to Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan, for the purpose of the renovation and restoration of Welch Hall. Authorizes appropriations.

Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance to the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York, to pay the Federal share of the cost of construction of a specified facility. Authorizes appropriations.

Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance to Shaw University of Raleigh, North Carolina, for the purpose of the renovation and restoration of Estey Hall. Authorizes appropriations.

Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial aid to a four-year postsecondary institution to renovate, construct and equip an existing electronic instructional network for providing college and advanced level courses to talented and gifted secondary school students. Authorizes appropriations.

Provides for recovery by the United States of payments made for the cost of construction, reconstruction, and renovation of academic facilities.

Repeals title IV of the Housing Act of 1950.

Title VIII: Amendment to Title VIII of the Act - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 to enable the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education for the planning, establishment, and expansion of cooperative education programs. Outlines application procedures for such grants, and sets forth grant limitations.

Title IX: Amendment to Title IX of the Act - Directs the Secretary to make grants to public and private, nonprofit higher education institutions for the purpose of enabling under-represented minorities to participate in graduate studies. Outlines application requirements.

Directs the Secretary to award a one-year graduate fellowship to each student (known as a Patricia Roberts Harris Fellow) who completes a specified undergraduate internship program.

Directs the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education to enable such institutions to offer grant programs of post-baccalaureate study leading to a graduate or professional degree. Outlines grant requirements.

Authorizes the Secretary to award not more than 450 national graduate fellowships per year in accordance with specified guidelines. Directs the President to appoint a National Graduate Fellows Program Fellowship Board to establish the policies of such program and select the fellowship recipients. Outlines organizational rules for such Board.

Directs the Secretary to make grants to academic departments and programs that provide courses of study leading to a graduate degree in areas of national need. Sets out eligibility and application requirements.

Authorizes the Secretary to make grants or enter into contracts with public and private agencies and organizations in order to assist individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds to undertake training for the legal profession.

Authorizes the Secretary to enter into grants or contracts with accredited law schools for the purpose of paying up to 90 percent of the cost of legal clinical experience programs at such law schools.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for the aforementioned programs under Title IX of the Act.

Title X: Amendment to Title X of the Act - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to and contracts with institutions of postsecondary education in order to improve postsecondary educational opportunities by taking specified actions. Establishes a National Board of the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education to act in an advisory capacity in the determination of postsecondary education grant recipients. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for the purpose of making such grants.

Directs the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education that are designed to effect long-range improvement in science and engineering education at predominantly minority institutions and to increase the participation of underrepresented ethnic minorities in scientific and technological careers.

Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for the establishment of programs in: (1) minority support in science and engineering; and (2) special service projects. Outlines eligibility and application requirements. Establishes an Advisory Board for the Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Programs to act as an advisory group to such programs. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991.

Title XI: Amendment to Title XI of the Act - Amends title XI (Urban Grant University Program) of HEA to replace it with new title XI (Community Partnerships and Economic Development) to direct the Secretary to make grants to urban universities to pay the Federal share of the cost of programs designed to address urban issues. Outlines grant application requirements and grant limitations.

Authorizes Federal assistance in the areas of higher education and economic development through the use of planning and research, resource exchange, and certain authorized special projects. Outlines eligibility and application requirements.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1987 through 1991 for carrying out the purposes of this title.

Provides assistance to the City University of New York to establish an institute devoted to the study of urban public policy, to be known as the Robert F. Wagner, Sr. Institute of Urban Public Policy. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose.

Title XII: Amendments to Title XII of the Act - Revises provisions concerning the treatment of U.S. territories and student assistance to such territories.

Extends from 1985 to 1992 the National Advisory Committee on Accreditation and Institutional Eligibility.

Revises provisions concerning the disclosure by educational institutions of any foreign gifts or grants received.

Requires educational institutions to take steps to guarantee the future payment of tuition and fees to such institution by students who are foreign nationals (and not admitted to permanent residence in the United States).

Directs the Secretary to study and report to the Congress on the rising cost of higher education, its causes, its impact, and how the increase can be minimized.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report to the Congress on sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS, among college students.

Title XIII: Native American Culture and Art Development - Institute for Native American Culture and Art Development Act - Establishes the Institute of Native American Culture and Arts Development which shall: (1) provide scholarly study of, and instruction in, the arts and culture of Native Americans; and (2) establish degree programs in the various fields of Native American art and culture. Sets forth administrative provisions governing the Institute. Establishes within the Institute a Center for Culture and Art Studies and a Center for Research and Cultural Exchange. Requires the Institute to: (1) develop research programs; (2) develop programs for the advancement of Native American art and culture; and (3) coordinate efforts to preserve and support evolving forms of Native American art and culture. Transfers to the Institute the functions of the Institute of American Indian Arts. Requires the President of the Institute to report annually to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations. Establishes an endowment for the Institute from such authorization.