Higher Education Act

Overview

Status in the House: On December 1, 2017, Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC), chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, introduced H.R. 4508, the Promoting Real Opportunity, Success and Prosperity Through Education Reform (PROSPER) Act.

Status in the Senate: The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee began a series of hearings related to HEA reauthorization in fall 2017 that continued through early 2018. This bill would reauthorize HEA, which was last reauthorized in 2008, and would make significant changes to a number of provisions within the current law.

Advance CTE Recommendations:  Advance CTE advocates for HEA reauthorization based on these recommendations, which reflect the input and priorities of our members and our vision, Putting Learner Success First: A Shared Vision for the Future of CTE.

Purpose: HEA governs nearly all federal financial aid programs for the nation’s postsecondary students. The vast majority of HEA funding flows through Title IV of the legislation, which oversees the administration of the various student loan and grant programs such as the federal Pell grant.

Connection to Career Technical Education (CTE): In addition to CTE at the middle or high school level, students can participate in CTE at postsecondary institutions, including community colleges and technical colleges. HEA expands access to postsecondary education and provides the opportunity to align postsecondary with workforce development.

Resources on Current Law

• Higher Education Act
  Full text of HEA
• U.S. Department of Education Laws & Guidance on Higher Education
  Resources and updates on HEA
• The Higher Education Act (HEA): A Primer (August 2017)
  A summary of HEA’s major provisions from the Congressional Research Service 
• American Council on Education Analysis of HEA (August 2008)
  A summary of the HEA 2008 reauthorization highlighting college costs, financial aid, disclosures and compliance provisions, student loan provisions, professional development and international education

Resources on the Reauthorization Process 

• Advance CTE HEA Reauthorization Recommendations (April 2019)
  A summary of Advance CTE’s recommendations for the renewal of HEA
• Advance CTE Letter to Committee on the PROSPER Act (December 2017)
  A letter to Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairwoman Foxx and Ranking Member Scott in response to the PROSPER Act