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FY2016 Extension of the Higher Education Act:
An Overview
David P. Smole
Specialist in Education Policy
Alexandra Hegji
Analyst in Social Policy
September 28October 14, 2015
Congressional Research Service
7-5700
www.crs.gov
R44206
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Summary
The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA; P.L. 89-329), authorizes the operation of
numerous federal aid programs that provide support both to individuals pursuing a postsecondary
education and to institutions of higher education (IHEs). It also authorizes certain activities and
functions. The HEA was first enacted in 1965. It has since been amended and extended numerous
times, and it has been comprehensively reauthorized eight times. The most recent comprehensive
reauthorization occurred in 2008 under the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA; P.L. 110315), which authorized most HEA programs through FY2014. Many of the programs with
authorizations set to expire at the end of FY2014 were automatically extended through FY2015
under Section 422 of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA). Additionally, many HEA
programs due to expire at the end of FY2015 were extended through December 11, 2015, under
P.L. 114-53, the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2016.
This report identifies provisions under the HEA that were set to expire at the end of FY2015. It also
also discusses authorization and appropriations options for extending the statutory authorities that are
are scheduled to lapse. These options include an explicit extension of, or an appropriation of funds
funds for, these programs either through a regular appropriations measure or a continuing
resolution.
Finally, for all HEA mandatory and discretionary programs and activities, the report provides
provides information on the authorization of appropriations or mandatory budget authority, the
duration for
which such authority is provided, the applicability of extensions under GEPA, and FY2015
FY2015 appropriations and mandatory budget authority.
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FY2016 Extension of the Higher Education Act: An
Overview.
Contents
Higher Education Act Authorization ............................................................................................... 1
General Education Provisions Act............................................................................................. 1
Advisory Committees ......................................................................................................... 12
Other HEA Programs .......................................................................................................... 2
Authorization and Appropriations Options for Addressing the Expiring HEA Provisions ............. 2
Explicit Extension ..................................................................................................................... 3
Continued Appropriation of Funds ............................................................................................ 3
Continuing Resolutions ....................................................................................................... 4
FY2016 Continuing Resolution .......................................................................................... 4
Lapse in Appropriations ...................................................................................................... 45
The Freely Associated States..................................................................................................... 5
Higher Education Act Provisions and Authorizations ............................................................... 56
Tables
Table 1. Higher Education Act Provisions and Authorizations ....................................................... 67
Contacts
Author Contact Information .......................................................................................................... 2526
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Higher Education Act Authorization
The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA; P.L. 89-329), authorizes the operation of
numerous federal aid programs that provide support both to individuals pursuing a postsecondary
education and to institutions of higher education (IHEs). It also authorizes certain activities and functions.
The most recent comprehensive reauthorization of the HEA was in 2008 under the Higher Education
Opportunity Act (HEOA; P.L. 110-315).
As amended by the HEOA, appropriations were authorized for most HEA discretionary spending
programs through FY2014. However, under generally applicable provisions in the General Education
Provisions Act (GEPA), the authorization periods for most HEA programs were effectively extended
through the end of FY2015, at which point they lapse. Legislative action must occur for all of the expiring
provisions if they are to continue for additional years beyond the end of FY2015. Under P.L. 114-53, the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2016, Congress
provided additional appropriations for many of these programs through December 11, 2015, such that
they will continue operation until that date.1 Additional legislative action must occur for the provisions
extended by P.L. 114-53 to continue beyond December 11, 2015.
Not all authorizations of appropriations in the HEA expire inwere set to expire at the end of FY2015. For some
HEA programs,
authorization of appropriations or mandatory budget authority is permanent,12 while for others
others authorization is provided through a date beyond the end of FY2014.23 For a number of programs, the
the period during which appropriations are authorized to be provided has ended.34 For instance, the
authorizations of appropriations for Teacher Quality Partnership Grants expired at the end of FY2011. In a
few other instances that are discussed below, program authority hashad a sunset date (e.g., the end of
FY2014, the end of FY2015).
General Education Provisions Act
The General Education Provisions Act (GEPA)45 contains a broad array of statutory provisions that are
applicable to the majority of federal education programs administered by the U.S. Department of
Education (ED). GEPA Section 422 provides that, in the absence of the enactment of a law to extend or
repeal a program administered by ED, the authorization of appropriations for, or the duration of, a
program is extended for one additional fiscal year beyond its terminal year.56 The authorization of
appropriations for such programs in the additional year shall be the same as that for the terminal year of
the program.
Advisory Committees
Section 422 of GEPA explicitly states that the automatic one-year extension does not apply to the
authorization of appropriations for commissions, councils, or committees that are required by statute to
terminate on a specific date. Under the HEA, there are two committees with specific termination dates:
Under Section 114(f), the authority for the National Advisory Committee on Institutional
Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) terminates on September 30, 2015.6
1
1
For HEA programs, P.L. 114-53 provides funding through the earlier of December 11, 2015, or the enactment of a law that
either provides additional funding or does not fund the applicable program, at the rate of operations as provided in the
Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015 (P.L. 113-235), and under the authority and conditions so
provided, but subject to a 0.2108% reduction.
2
For instance, the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program’s authorization of appropriations makes available “such sums
as may be necessary ... to make loans to all eligible students ... in attendance at participating institutions of higher education ...
during the period beginning July 1, 1994”; HEA §451(a).
23
For instance, mandatory appropriations for various HEA, Title III-A, III-B, and III-F programs (minority-serving institutions
programs) are authorized through FY2019.
34
See HEA §209.
45
20 U.S.C. §§1221, et seq.
56
For more information on GEPA, see CRS Report R41119, General Education Provisions Act (GEPA): Overview and Issues, by
Rebecca R. Skinner and Jody Feder.
6
Both of these committees originally were to terminate at the end of FY2014. However, on September 26, 2014, under P.L. 113(continued...)
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Advisory Committees
Section 422 of GEPA explicitly states that the automatic one-year extension does not apply to the
authorization of appropriations for commissions, councils, or committees that are required by statute to
terminate on a specific date. Prior to the enactment of P.L. 114-53, two HEA committees had specific
termination dates:
Under Section 114(f), the authority for the National Advisory Committee on Institutional
Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) terminated on September 30, 2015.7
Under Section 491(k), the authority for the Advisory Committee for Student Financial
Assistance (ACSFA) iswas provided until October 1, 2015.78
Other HEA Programs
Congress has not extended or repealed many of the provisions authorized by the HEA through FY2014.
Thus, except for the advisory committees noted above, GEPA automatically extended most of these HEA
programs and authorizations of appropriations through FY2015 at the same levels as were authorized to
be provided for FY2014. However, because GEPA Section 422 only provides an additional one-year
extension to HEA programs and many of those programs that were set to expire at the end of FY2014
were automatically extended through FY2015 under GEPA, —and subsequently through December 11,
2015, under the continuing resolution—legislative action must occur if these expiring
provisions are to continue for additional years beyond the end of FY2015
continue beyond December 11, 2015.
Authorization and Appropriations Options for
Addressing the Expiring HEA Provisions
Most HEA provisions that were set to expire at the end of FY2014 werehad been provided an additional one-year
oneyear extension under GEPA. This additional one-year extension will terminateterminated at the end of FY2015. The
implications of this expiration in the context of a particular program or activity depend on the nature of
the provision that expired.
In general, there is a distinction between an authorization provision that establishes the authority for a
program, policy, project, or activity and a provision that explicitly authorizes subsequent congressional
action to provide appropriations. The Comptroller General has explained that there is no constitutional or
general statutory requirement that an appropriation must be preceded by a specific act that authorized it.89
“Congress may ... appropriate funds for a program or object that has not been previously authorized or
which exceeds the scope of a prior authorization, in which event the enacted appropriation, in effect,
carries its own authorization and is available to the agency for obligation and expenditure.”9 That is, in the
event that an authorization of appropriations has lapsed, an appropriation would generally provide the
necessary legal authorization for the agency to spend money for the particular purpose specified in the
appropriations act. Furthermore, if an authorization of appropriations for an activity expires but the
underlying authority for that activity does not, those statutory authorities still exist and the agency may
continue to take actions pursuant to them, assuming that appropriations are available for those purposes.10
(...continued)
1747
Both of these committees originally were to terminate at the end of FY2014. However, on September 26, 2014, under P.L. 113174, Congress reauthorized both committees for an additional fiscal year.
78
Additionally, unless excepted, federal advisory committees are subject to provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act
(FACA; P.L. 92-463). Section 14(a)(2) provides that each advisory committee “shall terminate not later than the expiration of the
two-year period beginning on the date of its establishment unless ... (B) in the case of an advisory committee established by an
Act of Congress, its duration is otherwise provided for by law.” The HEA specifically states that FACA Section 14 does not
apply to NACIQI (HEA §114(d)(4)), while for the ACSFA it states that “notwithstanding the sunset and charter provisions of the
[FACA] ... [ACSFA] shall be authorized until October 1, 2015”; HEA §491(k). Thus, for both NACIQI and the ACSFA, it
appears that FACA Section 14 does not apply and, therefore, that without additional congressional action both committees would
terminate on the dates provided for in
law—September 30, 2015, and October 1, 2015, respectively.
8 law. In fact, under P.L. 114-53, Congress extended NACIQI’s authorization through
December 11, 2015; Congress did not extend ACSFA’s authorization.
9
Government Accountability Office, Office of the General Counsel, Principles of Federal Appropriations Law, volume I, at 2-41
(3d ed. 2004) (hereinafter, "“GAO Red Book").
9
GAO Red Book, at 1-21, 1-39.
10
For further information, see CRS Report R42098, Authorization of Appropriations: Procedural and Legal Issues, by Jessica
Tollestrup and Brian T. Yeh.
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Extension of the HEA authorization provisions that expire”).
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carries its own authorization and is available to the agency for obligation and expenditure.”10 That is, in
the event that an authorization of appropriations has lapsed, an appropriation would generally provide the
necessary legal authorization for the agency to spend money for the particular purpose specified in the
appropriations act. Furthermore, if an authorization of appropriations for an activity expires but the
underlying authority for that activity does not, those statutory authorities still exist and the agency may
continue to take actions pursuant to them, assuming that appropriations are available for those purposes.11
Extension of the HEA authorization provisions that expired at the end of FY2015, the vast majority of
which are discretionary authorizations of appropriations, could be addressed in a variety of ways through
either the authorization or appropriations processes (or both). For instance, one or more laws could be
enacted that extend the authorization of appropriations for an individual program or multiple programs.
Alternatively, a program for which the authorization of appropriations has expired may continue to
operate if Congress continues to appropriate funds for it. In a few other instances, however, where the
authority for
the program itself terminates, an explicit extension of that program would be required for it
to continue to
operate.
Explicit Extension
For the HEA provisions set to expirethat expired at the end of FY2015, a law could be enacted to explicitly extend the
authorization. For instance, prior to the enactment of the HEOA (P.L. 110-315) in 2008, the most recent
reauthorization of the HEA, HEA programs were extended beyond their prior terminal authorization date
of FY2003 through a series of Higher Education Extension Acts that temporarily extended the HEA.1112
These extension acts broadly extended the authorization of appropriations for and the duration of each
program authorized under the HEA for an additional period of time beyond their prior terminal
authorization dates.
Continued Appropriation of Funds
As an alternative to an explicit authorization extension, for many of the HEA provisions set to expirethat expired at
the end of FY2015, additional funds could be appropriated for periods beyond FY2015 to ensure a
program’s continued operation. As was previously mentioned, in general, an appropriation for the
purposes of a program with an expired authorization of appropriations would ensure the continued
operation of that program. For example, although the authorization of appropriations under HEA, Title II,
Part A, for Teacher Quality Partnership Grants was provided only through FY2011 (and extended under
GEPA through FY2012), the program remains operational due to continued funding provided in
appropriations acts through FY2015.
While it seems that most of the HEA programs set to expirethat expired at the end of FY2015 could continue
operations with the appropriation of funds for FY2016, it appears that an explicit extension would be
required for the advisory committees mentioned above to ensure continued operation in their current form
beyond the end of FY2015.12
11
13
10
GAO Red Book, at 1-21, 1-39.
For further information, see CRS Report R42098, Authorization of Appropriations: Procedural and Legal Issues, by Jessica
Tollestrup and Brian T. Yeh.
12
The original termination date for most of the HEA provisions was September 30, 2003. The termination date was extended
through FY2004 by GEPA Section 422. Subsequently, 14 laws that temporarily extended the HEA were enacted: P.L. 108-366,
P.L. 109-81, P.L. 109-150, P.L. 109-212, P.L. 109-238, P.L. 109-292, P.L. 110-44, P.L. 110-51, P.L. 110-109, P.L. 110-198, P.L.
110-230, P.L. 110-238, P.L. 110-256, and P.L. 110-300.
1213
As described previously, both NACIQI and the ACSFA are advisory committees with specified termination dates to which the
GEPA Section 422 automatic one-year extension does not apply. Both of these committees had been set to terminate at the end of
FY2014; however, on September 26, 2014, under P.L. 113-174, Congress reauthorized both committees for an additional fiscal
year. NACIQI does not have an explicit authorization of appropriations. For the ACSFA, under HEA Section 491(i), from funds
appropriated for the salaries and expenses of ED, no less than $800,000 shall be available to the ACSFA for its operations. While
this provision provides an authorization of funds for the ACSFA, FACA Section 14(a)(2)(B) provides that each advisory
committee established by an act of Congress remains in effect until the duration provided for by law. Thus, it appears that under
this FACA language, coupled with the ACSFA’s termination date provided in the HEA, the ACSFA would require an explicit
extension from Congress to remain in operation and the funds that are generally appropriated for ED’s salaries and expenses
would be insufficient to sustain the committee.
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In addition, regarding the Federal Perkins Loan program, it is unclear whether the appropriation of funds
for FY2016 for federal capital contributions would be necessary or sufficient to forestall the requirement
to begin a distribution of federal assets from Perkins revolving loan funds.13
Continuing Resolutions
Congress uses an annual appropriations process to fund routine activities of most federal agencies. This
process anticipates regular appropriations bills to fund activities before the beginning of the fiscal year.
When this process is delayed beyond the start of the fiscal year, one or more continuing appropriations
acts (continuing resolutions) can be used to provide funding until action on regular appropriations is
completed.14
In the event a regular appropriations bill to authorize funding for the expiring HEA provisions is not
enacted by October 1, 2015, a continuing resolution (CR) could be enacted to appropriate funds for these
expiring provisions. In most cases, the appropriation of funds for a program through a CR would be
sufficient for a program’s continued operation.15 However, for those programs with explicit termination or
sunset dates, a CR or other appropriations law would likely need to contain specific language, beyond the
appropriation of funds, indicating Congress’s intent to continue the operation of the program. Thus, for
certain provisions described above (e.g., NACIQI, ACSFA, and the Perkins Loan program) the extension
of the explicit authorization for the program or activity may be required for continued operations.
Lapse in Appropriations
In the event FY2016 funding is not provided for the HEA programs set to expire at the end of FY2015,
either through regular appropriations or a CR, a funding gap would follow. Should this occur, an agency
must suspend operations of affected programs, except in certain situations when law authorizes continued
activity, until the enactment of appropriations.16 The programs may resume once funds for them are
(continued...)
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Continuing Resolutions
Congress uses an annual appropriations process to fund routine activities of most federal agencies. This
process anticipates regular appropriations bills to fund activities before the beginning of the fiscal year.
When this process is delayed beyond the start of the fiscal year, one or more continuing appropriations
acts (continuing resolutions) can be used to provide funding until action on regular appropriations is
completed.14
In the event a regular appropriations bill to appropriate funding for the expiring HEA provisions is not
enacted prior to their expiration date, a continuing resolution (CR) could be enacted to provide continued
funding for these expiring provisions. In most cases, the appropriation of funds for a program through a
CR would be sufficient for a program’s continued operation.15 However, for those programs with explicit
termination or sunset dates, a CR or other appropriations law would likely need to contain specific
language, beyond the appropriation of funds, indicating Congress’s intent to continue the operation of the
program. Thus, for certain provisions, the extension of the explicit authorization for the program or
activity may be required for continued operations.
FY2016 Continuing Resolution
On September 30, 2015, Congress passed, and the President signed, the Continuing Appropriations Act,
2016 (P.L. 114-53), which, in general, provides continuing appropriations for federal programs through
December 11, 2015.16 Thus, many of the HEA programs that were set to expire at the end of FY2015 will
continue through December 11, 2015, or until another appropriations measure is enacted. In addition,
Congress explicitly extended NACIQI through December 11, 2015. Under P.L. 114-53, in general, HEA
programs are funded at the same rate and under the same conditions as they were in FY2015, minus an
across-the-board reduction of 0.2108%.
Congress did not, however, extend the authorization of or provide additional funding for the following
two programs:
the Federal Perkins Loan program, and
the Advisory Committee for Student Financial Assistance.
Because neither additional funding nor an extension of authorization was provided for these two
programs, they may not continue. For the Federal Perkins Loan program, this means that IHEs may no
longer award new Perkins Loans to new borrowers,17 and must begin returning federal capital
(...continued)
FY2014; however, on September 26, 2014, under P.L. 113-174, Congress reauthorized both committees for an additional fiscal
year. NACIQI does not have an explicit authorization of appropriations. For the ACSFA, under HEA Section 491(i), from funds
appropriated for the salaries and expenses of ED, no less than $800,000 shall be available to the ACSFA for its operations. While
this provision provides an authorization of funds for the ACSFA, FACA Section 14(a)(2)(B) provides that each advisory
committee established by an act of Congress remains in effect until the duration provided for by law. Thus, it appears that under
this FACA language, coupled with the ACSFA’s termination date provided in the HEA, the ACSFA would require an explicit
extension from Congress to remain in operation and the funds that are generally appropriated for ED’s salaries and expenses
would be insufficient to sustain the committee.
14
For additional information on continuing resolutions, see CRS Report R42647, Continuing Resolutions: Overview of
Components and Recent Practices, by Jessica Tollestrup.
15
It is unclear whether a CR or other appropriations law would reset the automatic one-year GEPA Section 422 extension such
that, in the absence of legislation to extend or repeal a program, the authorization of appropriations for, or the duration of, a
program would be extended for one additional fiscal year beyond the terminal fiscal year of the new appropriations.
16
For additional information, see CRS Report R44214, Overview of the FY2016 Continuing Resolution (H.R. 719), by Jessica
Tollestrup.
17
A limited grandfathering provision applies, which allows institutions to award Perkins Loans through FY2019 to allow prior
(continued...)
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contributions that have been provided to institutions over the years.18 For the Advisory Committee on
Student Financial Assistance, the absence of an authorization or appropriation means it must disband and
cease operations immediately.19
Lapse in Appropriations
In the event additional funding is not provided beyond December 11, 2015 for those HEA programs that
were funded through P.L. 114-53, either through regular appropriations or another CR, a funding gap
would follow. Should this occur, an agency must suspend operations of affected programs, except in
certain situations when law authorizes continued activity, until further appropriations are provided.20 The
programs may subsequently resume once funds for them are appropriated, unless otherwise provided.
In many past instances, a CR following a funding gap has contained authorization extensions and
provided that those extensions shall be considered to have been enacted on the date that the funding gap
commenced, as if no funding gap occurred. For instance, under the Continuing Appropriations Act of
2014 (P.L. 113-46), which followed the FY2013 16-day funding gap from October 1, 2013, to October 16,
2013, appropriations were provided for federal programs and the time covered by the joint resolution was
“considered to have begun on October 1, 2013.”1721 This may be especially relevant for programs with a
13
specific termination date, such as the advisory committees discussed above. While additional action
beyond providing appropriations is likely needed to continue their operation, should these programs not
receive an explicit extension prior to the termination, it appears that Congress would have the ability to
restore the committees through provisions in a CR as if a lapse in authorization never occurred, such that
it may be unnecessary to reform the committees completely (e.g., appoint new committee members).
The Freely Associated States
In addition to the HEA, the Compact of Free Association contains several provisions that relate to the
eligibility of students and IHEs of the Freely Associated States to participate in the HEA programs.22 In
accordance with the Compact of Free Association, students and IHEs in the Federated States of
Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau are eligible to receive
appropriations for and participate in many federal student aid programs through FY2023 (e.g., Pell
Grants). With respect to the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program and
the Federal Work Study (FWS) program, however, the Compact of Free Association, as amended by the
Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015 (P.L. 113-235), extended eligibly for
(...continued)
Perkins Loan recipients to continue their courses of study. HEA §461(a)(2).
18
Upon ending participation in the Federal Perkins Loan program, an IHE is required to repay the Secretary of Education a
portion of the balance of its revolving loan that is proportional to the amount of federal capital contributions received. This is
referred to as a distribution of assets. In addition, HEA Section §466(b) states that IHEs were to begin distributing collections on
outstanding Perkins loans received after October 1, 2012. However, ED determined that HEA Section §461, which authorized
appropriations for Perkins Loan program federal capital contributions through FY2014 and the automatic one-year extension
under GEPA Section §422 supersede the October 1, 2012, distribution of loan collections provisions. Under ED’s interpretation,
the the
Perkins Loan program was authorized through FY2014 and then through FY2015 under GEPA Section 422. Additionally, a
limited grandfathering provision applies that allows the awarding of continuation Perkins Loans through FY2019 to allow prior
Perkins Loan recipients to continue their courses of study. §422. For additional information on the status of the
on the Perkins Loan program,
see CRS Report R43959, Status of the Federal Perkins Loan Program: Frequently Asked
Questions, by Alexandra Hegji.
14
For additional information on continuing resolutions, see CRS Report R42647, Continuing Resolutions: Overview of
Components and Recent Practices, by Jessica Tollestrup.
15
It is unclear whether a CR or other appropriations law would reset the automatic one-year GEPA Section 422 extension such
that, in the absence of legislation to extend or repeal a program, the authorization of appropriations for, or the duration of, a
program would be extended for one additional fiscal year beyond the terminal fiscal year of the new appropriations.
1619
For more information about how this is unfolding, see Kelly Field, “Group That Shaped Federal Student-Aid Policy is
Disbanded,” The Chronicle of Higher Education, October 1, 2015.
20
A full discussion of a lapse in appropriations and potential shutdown of the federal government are beyond the scope of this
report. For additional information, see CRS Report RS20348, Federal Funding Gaps: A Brief Overview, by Jessica Tollestrup.
1721
P.L. 113-46, §118.
22
48 U.S.C. §§1921, et seq.
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specific termination date, such as the advisory committees discussed above. While additional action
beyond providing appropriations is likely needed to continue their operation, should these programs not
receive an explicit extension prior to the termination, it appears that Congress would have the ability to
restore the committees through provisions in a CR as if a lapse in authorization never occurred, such that
it may be unnecessary to reform the committees completely (e.g., appoint new committee members).
The Freely Associated States
In addition to the HEA, the Compact of Free Association contains several provisions that relate to the
eligibility of students and IHEs of the Freely Associated States to participate in the HEA programs.18 In
many instances, students and IHEs in the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall
Islands, and the Republic of Palau are eligible to receive appropriations for and participate in federal
student aid programs through FY2023 (e.g., Pell Grants). However, students and IHEs in Palau are
eligible to receive appropriations for and participate in the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity
Grant (FSEOG) and the Federal Work Study (FWS) programs only through FY2015.19 Thus, it appears
the provisions of the 5
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students and IHEs in Palau to receive appropriations for and participate in the programs only through the
end of FY2015.23 While it appears that P.L. 114-53 may have temporarily extended the provisions of the
Compact of Free Association pertaining to students and IHEs in Palau and their
eligibility to receive
appropriations for and participate in the FSEOG and FWS programs would expire at
the end of FY2015, this extension would expire
December 11, 2015 without additional legislative action.2024
Higher Education Act Provisions and Authorizations
Table 1 presents information on the discretionary authorization of appropriations or mandatory budget
authority for HEA programs and activities. For each program, it identifies
the HEA section authorizing the appropriation of funds or providing mandatory budget
authority;
whether budget authority for these funds is classified as discretionary (D) or mandatory
(M);
the amount authorized to be appropriated during specified fiscal years;
the period or duration for which the authorization of appropriations or mandatory budget
authority is provided;
whether the authorization provision is extended by GEPA; and
for discretionary spending authorizations of appropriations, the amount appropriated for
FY2015 under P.L. 113-235;2125 for mandatory programs, budget authority for FY2015.2226
Generally, the provisions are presented in the order in which they appear in the HEA.
18
48 U.S.C. §§1921, et seq.
48 U.S.C. §1924d Finally, unless
otherwise noted, the Continuing Appropriations Act of 2016 (P.L. 114-53) provides funds for each
provision at the same rate as provided in FY2015, less an across-the-board decrease of less than 1%
(0.2108%), through December 11, 2015.
23
48 U.S.C. §1921d(f)(1)(B)(ix), in accordance with Division G, Title III, §306 of the Consolidated and Further Continuing
Appropriations Act of 2015 (P.L. 113-235).
2024
Originally, the eligibility to participate in the FSEOG and FWS programs for students and IHEs in Palau was authorized
through FY2007. This date has been amended on numerous occasions since then, each time through appropriations legislation.
See, for example, Division G, Title III, §306 of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015 (P.L. 113235).
2125
For information on recent amounts appropriated for individual HEA programs, see CRS Report R43351, The Higher Education
Act (HEA): A Primer, by Alexandra Hegji.
2226
Where applicable, mandatory outlaysbudget authority reflect the 7.3% sequester that went into effect October 1, 2014, pursuant to the Budget
Budget Control Act of 2011 (P.L. 112-25). For additional information on sequestration, see CRS Report R42972, Sequestration
as a
Budget Enforcement Process: Frequently Asked Questions, by Megan S. Lynch.
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Table 1. Higher Education Act Provisions and Authorizations
Program or Activity,
by HEA Title and Part
Authorization of
Appropriations
or Mandatory
Budget Authority
for Program or
Activity
(HEA section)
Budget Authority
Classification:
Discretionary (D)
or Mandatory (M)
Amount Authorized
to be Appropriated
or Mandatory Budget
Authority
($ thousands)
Period or
Duration for
Authorization of
Appropriations or
Mandatory
Budget Authority
(HEA)
Contingent
Extension of
Program or
Activity
(GEPA)
FY2015
Discretionary
Appropriation
or Mandatory
Budget
Authoritya
($ thousands)b
Title I: General Provisions
Title I, Part B: Additional General Provisions
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National Advisory
Committee on
Institutional Quality and
Integrity
§114(f)
n/a
n/a
September 30, 2015
GEPA §422
does not apply
n/a
Alcohol & Drug Abuse
Prevention Grants
§120
D
IndefinitebIndefinitec
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
College Housing and
Academic Facilities Loans
Program Account: Federal
Administration
§121
D
Indefinite
Permanent
n/a
435
College Housing and
Academic Facilities Loans
Program Account:
Reestimate of Existing
Loan Subsidies
§121
M
Indefinite
Permanent
n/a
0
College Housing and
Academic Facilities Loans
Liquidating Account
§121
M
Indefinite
Permanent
n/a
(364)
Higher Education Facilities
Loans Liquidating Account
§121
M
Indefinite
Permanent
n/a
(227)
College Housing Loans
Liquidating Account
§121
M
Indefinite
Permanent
n/a
(1,176)
CRS-6
7
.
Program or Activity,
by HEA Title and Part
Authorization of
Appropriations
or Mandatory
Budget Authority
for Program or
Activity
(HEA section)
Budget Authority
Classification:
Discretionary (D)
or Mandatory (M)
Amount Authorized
to be Appropriated
or Mandatory Budget
Authority
($ thousands)
Period or
Duration for
Authorization of
Appropriations or
Mandatory
Budget Authority
(HEA)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Contingent
Extension of
Program or
Activity
(GEPA)
FY2015
Discretionary
Appropriation
or Mandatory
Budget
Authoritya
($ thousands)b
Title I, Part C: Cost of Higher Education
State Higher Education
Information System Pilot
Program
§136
0
Title I, Part D: Administrative Provisions for Delivery of Student Financial Assistance
Performance-Based
Organization: Student Aid
Administrative Functions
§141
D
Indefinite allocation
from amount
appropriated under
§458.
FY2014cFY2014d
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
See §458
(below)de
Performance-Based
Organization
§141
D
Indefinite
Permanent
n/a
See §458
(below)de
D
Indefinite
FY2011
No
40,592
Title II, Part A: Teacher Quality Partnership Grants
Teacher Quality
Partnership Grants
§209
40,592
Title II, Part B: Enhancing Teacher Education
c11173008
Enhancing Teacher
Education Grants
§230
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Preparing Teachers for
Digital Age Learners
§230
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
CRS-7
8
.
Authorization of
Appropriations
or Mandatory
Budget Authority
for Program or
Activity
(HEA section)
Budget Authority
Classification:
Discretionary (D)
or Mandatory (M)
Amount Authorized
to be Appropriated
or Mandatory Budget
Authority
($ thousands)
Period or
Duration for
Authorization of
Appropriations or
Mandatory
Budget Authority
(HEA)
Hawkins Center of
Excellence
§230
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Teach to Reach Grants
§230
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Adjunct Teachers Corps
§230
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Graduate fellowships to
Prepare Faculty in HighNeed Areas
§230
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Program or Activity,
by HEA Title and Part
Contingent
Extension of
Program or
Activity
(GEPA)
FY2015
Discretionary
Appropriation
or Mandatory
Budget
Authoritya
($ thousands)b
Title III: Institutional Aid
Title III, Part A: Strengthening Institutions
c11173008
Strengthening Institutions
§399(a)(1)(A)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
80,462
Tribally Controlled
Colleges & Universities
(§316)
§399(a)(1)(B)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
25,662
CRS-8
9
.
Authorization of
Appropriations
or Mandatory
Budget Authority
for Program or
Activity
(HEA section)
Budget Authority
Classification:
Discretionary (D)
or Mandatory (M)
Amount Authorized
to be Appropriated
or Mandatory Budget
Authority
($ thousands)
Period or
Duration for
Authorization of
Appropriations or
Mandatory
Budget Authority
(HEA)
Alaska Native and Native
Hawaiian-Serving
Institutions (§317)
§399(a)(1)(C)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
12,833
Predominantly Black
Institutions (§318)
§399(a)(1)(D)
D
75,000
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
9,244
Native American-Serving,
Nontribal Institutions
(§319)
§399(a)(1)(E)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
3,113
Asian American and
Native American Pacific
Islander-Serving
Institutions (§320)
§399(a)(1)(F)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
3,113
Program or Activity,
by HEA Title and Part
Contingent
Extension of
Program or
Activity
(GEPA)
FY2015
Discretionary
Appropriation
or Mandatory
Budget
Authoritya
($ thousands)b
Title III, Part B: Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
c11173008
Historically Black Colleges
and Universities (§323)
§399(a)(2)(A)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
227,524
Historically Black
Graduate Institutions
(§326)
§399(a)(2)(B)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
58,840
CRS-9
10
.
Program or Activity,
by HEA Title and Part
Authorization of
Appropriations
or Mandatory
Budget Authority
for Program or
Activity
(HEA section)
Budget Authority
Classification:
Discretionary (D)
or Mandatory (M)
Amount Authorized
to be Appropriated
or Mandatory Budget
Authority
($ thousands)
Period or
Duration for
Authorization of
Appropriations or
Mandatory
Budget Authority
(HEA)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
Contingent
Extension of
Program or
Activity
(GEPA)
FY2015
Discretionary
Appropriation
or Mandatory
Budget
Authoritya
($ thousands)b
Title III, Part C: Endowment Challenge Grants
Endowment Challenge
Grants
§399
0
Title III, Part D: Historically Black College and University Capital Financing Program
Federal Administration
FCRA, §505(e)
D
Indefinite
Permanent
n/a
334
Loan Subsidies
§§343(a) & 344(b)
D
Indefinite
Permanent
n/a
19,096
Reestimates of Existing
Loan Subsidies
§§343(a) & 344(b)
M
Indefinite
Permanent
n/a
18,240
Title III, Part E: Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program
Minority Science &
Engineering Improvement
Program (III-E-1)
§399(a)(5)(A)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
8,971
Programs in STEM Fields:
(YES Partnership Grants;
Promotion of Entry into
STEM Fields)
§399(a)(5)(B)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Title III, Part F: Strengthening HBCUs and Other MSIs
c11173008
HSI STEM and Articulation
Programs
§371(b)(2)(B)
M
100,000
FY2019
n/aeaf
92,700
HBCUs
§371(b)(2)(C)(i)
M
85,000
FY2019
n/aeaf
78,795
Predominantly Black IHEs
§371(b)(2)(C)(ii)
M
15,000
FY2019
n/aeaf
13,905
CRS-10
11
.
Authorization of
Appropriations
or Mandatory
Budget Authority
for Program or
Activity
(HEA section)
Amount Authorized
to be Appropriated
or Mandatory Budget
Authority
($ thousands)
Period or
Duration for
Authorization of
Appropriations or
Mandatory
Budget Authority
(HEA)
Budget Authority
Classification:
Discretionary (D)
or Mandatory (M)
Contingent
Extension of
Program or
Activity
(GEPA)
Tribal Colleges and
Universities
§371(b)(2)(D)(i)
M
30,000
FY2019
n/aeaf
27,810
Alaska Native-serving or
Native Hawaiian-Serving
IHEs
§371(b)(2)(D)(ii)
M
15,000
FY2019
n/aeaf
13,905
Asian American and
Native American Pacific
Islander-Serving IHEs
§371(b)(2)(D)(iii)
M
5,000
FY2019
n/aeaf
4,635
Native American-Serving
Nontribal IHEs
§371(b)(2)(D)(iv)
M
5,000
FY2019
n/aeaf
4,635
Program or Activity,
by HEA Title and Part
FY2015
Discretionary
Appropriation
or Mandatory
Budget
Authoritya
($ thousands)b
Title IV: Student Assistance
Title IV, Part A: Grants to Students in Attendance at Institutions of Higher Education
c11173008
Federal Pell Grants: Base
Grants
§401(a)(1)
D
Indefinite
FY2017
Extended
through
FY2018 under
GEPA §422
22,475,352
Federal Pell Grants:
Mandatory Add-On
§401(b)(7)(iii)
M
Indefinite
Permanent
n/a
6,079,531
Federal Pell Grants:
Mandatory Funding for
Discretionary Program
Costs
§401(b)(7)(iv)
M
FY2014:
FY2015:
FY2016:
FY2017:
FY2018:
FY2019:
FY2020:
FY2021:
Future FYs:
Permanent
n/a
0
CRS-1112
588,000
0
0
1,574,000
1,382,000
1,409,000
1,430,000
1,145,000
1,145,000
22,475,352
.
Authorization of
Appropriations
or Mandatory
Budget Authority
for Program or
Activity
(HEA section)
Budget Authority
Classification:
Discretionary (D)
or Mandatory (M)
Academic
Competitiveness Grants
§401A
M
FY2006:
FY2007:
FY2008:
FY2009:
FY2010:
TRIO Programs:
(Talent Search; Student
Support Services; McNair
Postbaccalaureate
Achievement Program;
Education Opportunity
Centers)
§402A(g)
D
Indefinite
Upward Bound
§402C(g)(1)
M
FY2008:
FY2009:
FY2010:
FY2011:
Gaining Early Awareness
and Readiness for
Undergraduate Programs
(GEAR UP)
§404H
D
Federal Supplemental
Educational Opportunity
Grants (FSEOG)
§413A(b)
Leveraging Educational
Assistance Partnership
(LEAP) Grants
§415A(b)(1)
Program or Activity,
by HEA Title and Part
c11173008
CRS-13
CRS-12
Period or
Duration for
Authorization of
Appropriations or
Mandatory
Budget Authority
(HEA)
Contingent
Extension of
Program or
Activity
(GEPA)
FY2010
n/a
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
FY2011
n/a
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
301,639
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
733,130
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Amount Authorized
to be Appropriated
or Mandatory Budget
Authority
($ thousands)
790,000
850,000
920,000
960,000
1,010,000
57,000
57,000
57,000
57,000
FY2015
Discretionary
Appropriation
or Mandatory
Budget
Authoritya
($ thousands)b
0
839,752
0
.
Authorization of
Appropriations
or Mandatory
Budget Authority
for Program or
Activity
(HEA section)
Budget Authority
Classification:
Discretionary (D)
or Mandatory (M)
Grants for Access and
Persistence (GAP)
§415A(B)(2)
D
Amounts appropriated
for LEAP Grants that
are in excess of $30,000
in a fiscal year
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Special Programs for
Migrant Students
§418A(i)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
37,474
Robert C. Byrd Honors
Scholarship
§419K
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Child Care Access Means
Parents in School
§419N
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
15,134
Teacher Education
Assistance for College and
Higher Education
(TEACH) Grants
§420O
M
Indefinite
Permanent
n/a
(16,946)
Iraq and Afghanistan
Service Grants
§420R(f)
M
Indefinite
Permanent
n/a
340
Program or Activity,
by HEA Title and Part
Amount Authorized
to be Appropriated
or Mandatory Budget
Authority
($ thousands)
Period or
Duration for
Authorization of
Appropriations or
Mandatory
Budget Authority
(HEA)
Contingent
Extension of
Program or
Activity
(GEPA)
FY2015
Discretionary
Appropriation
or Mandatory
Budget
Authoritya
($ thousands)
(16,946)
340b
Title IV, Part B: Federal Family Education Loan Program
c11173008
FFEL Program
§421(b)
M
Indefinite
Permanent
n/a
(3,293,567)
FFEL Program Liquidating
Account
§421(b)
M
Indefinite
Permanent
n/a
(205,977)
CRS-13
14
.
Authorization of
Appropriations
or Mandatory
Budget Authority
for Program or
Activity
(HEA section)
Budget Authority
Classification:
Discretionary (D)
or Mandatory (M)
Amount Authorized
to be Appropriated
or Mandatory Budget
Authority
($ thousands)
Period or
Duration for
Authorization of
Appropriations or
Mandatory
Budget Authority
(HEA)
Loan Forgiveness for
Service in Areas of
National Need
§428K(h)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Loan Repayment for Civil
Legal Assistance Attorneys
§428L(i)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Default Reduction
Management
§432(n)
D
Indefinite
FY2003
Extended
through
FY2004 under
GEPA §422
0
Program or Activity,
by HEA Title and Part
Contingent
Extension of
Program or
Activity
(GEPA)
FY2015
Discretionary
Appropriation
or Mandatory
Budget
Authoritya
($ thousands)b
Title IV, Part C: Federal Work-Study Programs
Federal Work Study
§441(b)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
989,728
Off-Campus Community
Service
§447(b)(4)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Work Colleges
§448(f)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0f0g
Indefinite
Permanent
n/a
Title IV, Part D: William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program
Program Authority
c11173008
CRS-15CRS-14
§451(a)
M
16,134,351
.
Authorization of
Appropriations
or Mandatory
Budget Authority
for Program or
Activity
(HEA section)
Budget Authority
Classification:
Discretionary (D)
or Mandatory (M)
Mandatory Funds for
FY2006 for Administrative
Costs for FFEL and Direct
Loan Programs, and
Account Maintenance Fees
for FFEL Guaranty
Agencies
§458(a)(1)
Student Aid
Administration:
(administrative costs for
FFEL and Direct Loan
programs)
Account Maintenance Fees
for FFEL Guaranty
Agencies
Program or Activity,
by HEA Title and Part
Amount Authorized
to be Appropriated
or Mandatory Budget
Authority
($ thousands)
Period or
Duration for
Authorization of
Appropriations or
Mandatory
Budget Authority
(HEA)
FY2015
Discretionary
Appropriation
or Mandatory
Budget
Authoritya
($ thousands)b
Contingent
Extension of
Program or
Activity
(GEPA)
M
Not to exceed 820,000
FY2006
n/a
§458(a)(3)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
§458(a)(4)gh
M
Indefinite
FY2014
n/a
0
0
1,396,924d924e
Title IV, Part E: Federal Perkins Loans
c11173008
Federal Perkins Loans
§461(b)(1)
D
300,000
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
00i
Federal Perkins Loans:
(continuation loans)
§461(b)(2)
D
Indefinite
FY2020
Extended
through
FY2021 under
GEPA §422
0
Federal Perkins Loans
Reimbursement for Loan
Cancellation
§465(b)
D
Indefinite
Permanent
n/a
0
CRS-15
16
.
Program or Activity,
by HEA Title and Part
Authorization of
Appropriations
or Mandatory
Budget Authority
for Program or
Activity
(HEA section)
Budget Authority
Classification:
Discretionary (D)
or Mandatory (M)
Amount Authorized
to be Appropriated
or Mandatory Budget
Authority
($ thousands)
Period or
Duration for
Authorization of
Appropriations or
Mandatory
Budget Authority
(HEA)
Contingent
Extension of
Program or
Activity
(GEPA)
FY2015
Discretionary
Appropriation
or Mandatory
Budget
Authoritya
($ thousands)b
Title IV, Part G: General Provisions Relating to Student Assistance Programs
Advisory Committee on
Student Financial
Assistance
§491
D
Funded from ED
program admin., but not
less than $800
October 1, 2015
GEPA §422
does not apply
837837i
Regional Meetings and
Negotiated Rulemaking
§492(d) &
Department of
Education salaries
and expenses
account
D
Indefinite
Permanent
n/a
n/ahaj
Authorization of
Appropriations for
Administrative Expenses
§493
D
Indefinite
Permanent
n/a
0
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
100,231
Title V: Developing Institutions
Title V, Part A: Hispanic-Serving Institutions
Hispanic-Serving
Institutions
§528
Title V, Part B: Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans
c11173008
Promoting
Postbaccalaureate
Opportunities for Hispanic
Americans
§528
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
8,992
Promoting
Postbaccalaureate
Opportunities for Hispanic
Americans
§898
M
11,500
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422i422k
0
CRS-16
17
.
Program or Activity,
by HEA Title and Part
Authorization of
Appropriations
or Mandatory
Budget Authority
for Program or
Activity
(HEA section)
Budget Authority
Classification:
Discretionary (D)
or Mandatory (M)
Amount Authorized
to be Appropriated
or Mandatory Budget
Authority
($ thousands)
Period or
Duration for
Authorization of
Appropriations or
Mandatory
Budget Authority
(HEA)
Indefinite
FY2014
Contingent
Extension of
Program or
Activity
(GEPA)
FY2015
Discretionary
Appropriation
or Mandatory
Budget
Authoritya
($ thousands)b
Title VI: International Education Programs
Title VI, Part A: International and Foreign Language Programs
International & Foreign
Language Programs
§610
D
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
65,103
Includes funding
for Title VI-B
(below)jl
Title VI, Part B: Business and International Education Programs
Centers for International
Business Education
§614(a)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
See Title VI-A
(above)jl
Business & International
Education Training
Programs
§614(b)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
See Title VI-A
(above)jl
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Title VI, Part C: Institute for International Public Policy
Institute for International
Public Policy
§629
Title VI, Part D: General Provisions
Science & Technology
Advanced Foreign
Language Education Grant
Program
c11173008
CRS-18CRS-17
§637(f)
.
Program or Activity,
by HEA Title and Part
Authorization of
Appropriations
or Mandatory
Budget Authority
for Program or
Activity
(HEA section)
Budget Authority
Classification:
Discretionary (D)
or Mandatory (M)
Amount Authorized
to be Appropriated
or Mandatory Budget
Authority
($ thousands)
Period or
Duration for
Authorization of
Appropriations or
Mandatory
Budget Authority
(HEA)
Contingent
Extension of
Program or
Activity
(GEPA)
FY2015
Discretionary
Appropriation
or Mandatory
Budget
Authoritya
($ thousands)b
Title VII: Graduate and Postsecondary Improvement Programs
c11173008
Jacob K. Javits Fellowship
Program
§705
D
30,000
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Graduate Assistance in
Areas of National Need
§716
D
35,000
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
29,293
Thurgood Marshall Legal
Educational Opportunity
Program
§721(h)
D
5,000
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Master’s Degree Programs
at HBCUs
§725
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Master’s Degree Programs
at Predominantly Black
Institutions
§725
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Master’s Degree Programs
at HBCUs and
Predominantly Black
Institutions
§897
M
11,500
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422i422k
0
CRS-18
19
.
Program or Activity,
by HEA Title and Part
Authorization of
Appropriations
or Mandatory
Budget Authority
for Program or
Activity
(HEA section)
Budget Authority
Classification:
Discretionary (D)
or Mandatory (M)
Amount Authorized
to be Appropriated
or Mandatory Budget
Authority
($ thousands)
Period or
Duration for
Authorization of
Appropriations or
Mandatory
Budget Authority
(HEA)
Contingent
Extension of
Program or
Activity
(GEPA)
FY2015
Discretionary
Appropriation
or Mandatory
Budget
Authoritya
($ thousands)b
Title VII, Part B: Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education
Fund for the Improvement
of Postsecondary
Education
§745
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
67,775
Title VII, Part D: Programs to Provide Students with Disabilities with a Quality Higher Education
c11173008
Demonstration Projects
§765
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Model Transition
Programs
§769(a)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
11,800
Demonstration Programs
for Improved Access to
Materials
§775
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
National Technical
Assistance Centers;
Coordinating Center
§778
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
College Access Challenge
Grant ProgramkProgramm
§781
M
150,000
FY2014
n/akam
0
College Access Challenge
Grant ProgramkProgramm
§781
D
Indefinite
FY2014
n/akam
0
CRS-19
20
.
Program or Activity,
by HEA Title and Part
Authorization of
Appropriations
or Mandatory
Budget Authority
for Program or
Activity
(HEA section)
Budget Authority
Classification:
Discretionary (D)
or Mandatory (M)
Amount Authorized
to be Appropriated
or Mandatory Budget
Authority
($ thousands)
Period or
Duration for
Authorization of
Appropriations or
Mandatory
Budget Authority
(HEA)
Contingent
Extension of
Program or
Activity
(GEPA)
FY2015
Discretionary
Appropriation
or Mandatory
Budget
Authoritya
($ thousands)b
Title VIII: Additional Programs
c11173008
Part A-Project GRAD
§801(i)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Part B-Mathematics and
Science Scholars
§802(f)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Part C-Business
Workforce Partnerships
for Job Skill Training
§803(k)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Part D-Capacity for
Nursing Students and
Faculty
§804(f)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Part E-American History
for Freedom
§805(f)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Part F-Teach for America
§806(f)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
CRS-20
21
.
Authorization of
Appropriations
or Mandatory
Budget Authority
for Program or
Activity
(HEA section)
Budget Authority
Classification:
Discretionary (D)
or Mandatory (M)
Amount Authorized
to be Appropriated
or Mandatory Budget
Authority
($ thousands)
Period or
Duration for
Authorization of
Appropriations or
Mandatory
Budget Authority
(HEA)
Part G-Patsy T. Mink
Fellowship
§807(f)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Part H-Improving College
Enrollment by
Postsecondary Schools
§808(c)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Part I-Early Childhood
Education Professional
Development
§818
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Part J-Improving STEM
Education with a Focus on
Alaska Native and Native
Hawaiian Students
§819(i)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Part K-Pilot Programs to
Increase College
Persistence and Success
§820(i)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Part L-Student Safety and
Campus Emergency
Management
§821(f)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Part L-Education Disaster
and Emergency Relief Loan
Program
§824(i)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Program or Activity,
by HEA Title and Part
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CRS-22
CRS-21
Contingent
Extension of
Program or
Activity
(GEPA)
FY2015
Discretionary
Appropriation
or Mandatory
Budget
Authoritya
($ thousands)
b
.
Authorization of
Appropriations
or Mandatory
Budget Authority
for Program or
Activity
(HEA section)
Budget Authority
Classification:
Discretionary (D)
or Mandatory (M)
Amount Authorized
to be Appropriated
or Mandatory Budget
Authority
($ thousands)
Period or
Duration for
Authorization of
Appropriations or
Mandatory
Budget Authority
(HEA)
Part M-Incentives and
Rewards for Low Tuition
§830
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Part N: Cooperative
Education
§835
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Part O-College
Partnership Grants
§841(i)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Part P-Jobs to Careers
§851(j)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Part Q-Rural
Development Grants
§861(g)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Part R-Campus-Based
Digital Theft Prevention
§871(d)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Part S-Training for
Realtime Writers
§872(e)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Program or Activity,
by HEA Title and Part
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CRS-23
CRS-22
Contingent
Extension of
Program or
Activity
(GEPA)
FY2015
Discretionary
Appropriation
or Mandatory
Budget
Authoritya
($ thousands)
b
.
Authorization of
Appropriations
or Mandatory
Budget Authority
for Program or
Activity
(HEA section)
Budget Authority
Classification:
Discretionary (D)
or Mandatory (M)
Amount Authorized
to be Appropriated
or Mandatory Budget
Authority
($ thousands)
Period or
Duration for
Authorization of
Appropriations or
Mandatory
Budget Authority
(HEA)
Part T-Centers of
Excellence for Veteran
Student Success
§873(f)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Part U-University
Sustainability
§881(f)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Part V-Modeling and
Simulation Programs
§891(e)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Part W-Path to Success
Reentry Education Grants
§892(g)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Part X-School of
Veterinary Medicine
Competitive Grant
Program
§893(g)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Part Y-Early Federal Pell
Grant Commitment
Demonstration Program
§894(h)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Part Z-Kupuna Memorial
Archives
§895(c)
D
Indefinite
FY2014
Extended
through
FY2015 under
GEPA §422
0
Program or Activity,
by HEA Title and Part
c11173008
CRS-24
CRS-23
Contingent
Extension of
Program or
Activity
(GEPA)
FY2015
Discretionary
Appropriation
or Mandatory
Budget
Authoritya
($ thousands)
b
.
Sources: HEA; GEPA §422; U.S. Department of Education, “Department of Education Fiscal Year 2016 President’s Budget Table,” April 29, 2015; U.S. Department of
Education, “FY 2016 Department of Education Justifications of Appropriation Estimates to the Congress,” February 3, 2015.
Notes:
a. For federal credit programs, mandatory budget authority reflects the sum of net loan subsidies, net reestimates of loan subsidies, and net loan modifications, as
estimated in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (FCRA). Also, where applicable, mandatory budget authority reflects the
7.3% sequester that went into effect October 1, 2014, pursuant to the Budget Control Act of 2011 (P.L. 112-25).
b. Unless otherwise noted, the Continuing Appropriations Act of 2016 (P.L. 114-53) provides funds for each provision at the same rate as provided in FY2015, less an
across-the-board decrease of less than 1% (0.2108%), through December 11, 2015.
c. Indefinite authorizations of appropriations provide authorization for “such sums as may be necessary” for the applicable program.
cd. The authorization of appropriations under HEA §458, from which funds may be allotted to the PBO is provided through FY2014.
de. An amount of $1,396,924,000 was appropriated for HEA Sections 141 and 458, combined.
e. f.
Authorization to award grants under this program expires at the end of FY2019.
f.
g. Funding for this program is provided as a set-aside of appropriations under the Federal Work Study program. HEA §441(b).
gh. As interpreted and implemented by ED, “The Deficit Reduction Act [P.L. 109-171] shifted the payment of account maintenance fees, authorized under Section 458
of the HEA, to subsidy cost from administration funds or from the Federal Fund.” U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid, 2007 Annual Report, p. 56.
h. i.
Congress did not extend the authorization of or provide additional funding for this program in FY2016.
j.
Not available. If no funds are appropriated under HEA §492, funds may be made available from amounts appropriated for operations and expenses of the
Department of Education. For FY2015, a total of $411 million was provided for Department of Education salaries and expenses.
i.
k. It appears that under GEPA §422, the authorization of appropriations for this program would have been extended through FY2015. However, as interpreted by ED,
this program was not extended through FY2015 by GEPA §422. See, for example, U.S. Department of Education, Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Request, p. S-11. Also, while
GEPA §422 extends the authorization of appropriations for an additional fiscal year, it does not appear to make funds available that were not otherwise
appropriated.
jl.
Amounts appropriated include funds appropriated for programs under HEA, Title VI, Part A and Part B.
km. Authorization to award grants under this program expired at the end of FY2014.
c11173008
CRS-25CRS-24
FY2016 Extension of the Higher Education Act: An Overview
.
Author Contact Information
David P. Smole
Specialist in Education Policy
dsmole@crs.loc.gov, 7-0624
c11173008
Congressional Research Service
Alexandra Hegji
Analyst in Social Policy
adhegji@crs.loc.gov , 7-8384
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