AID Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (24 Jun 2019): Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.
What this bill does
H.R. 3101, the Achieving Independence through Degrees Act, would make several changes to federal student aid programs. It aims to expand access to Pell Grants by increasing the maximum award, making them inflation-adjusted, and extending eligibility to certain short-term workforce training programs. The bill would also require institutions to provide annual financial counseling to students receiving loans and expand exit counseling requirements.
The legislation also proposes to permanently reauthorize the Federal Work-Study Program and revise how its funds are allocated. Additionally, it would update the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process to allow students to be considered independent under specific circumstances and would remove a provision that made students convicted of drug-related offenses ineligible for federal student aid, prohibiting such questions on the FAFSA. The bill would also allow certain students, including those with an expected family contribution of zero, to qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on June 5, 2019, by Representative Peter DeFazio and was referred to the Committees on Education and Labor, and Agriculture. As of its introduction, it has not moved past this initial stage.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Achieving Independence through Degrees Act or the AID Act
This bill revises certain federal student-aid programs. Among other things, it expands access to Pell Grants, expands loan counseling requirements, revises the Federal Work-Study Program, updates the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process, and extends Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) benefits to certain students.
First, it expands access to Pell Grants by (1) increasing the maximum award and indexing it for inflation, (2) increasing the semester eligibility limit to 15 semesters, and (3) extending eligibility to certain short-term workforce training programs.
It modifies student loan counseling requirements applicable to institutions of higher education (IHEs) by requiring annual financial counseling and expanding exit counseling. The Department of Education (ED) must maintain an online counseling tool that provides annual and exit counseling.
Additionally, it permanently reauthorizes the Federal Work-Study Program and otherwise revises the program, including by allocating program funds to IHEs based on the amount of Pell Grant funds received by each IHE. It establishes a pilot program that provides work-based learning opportunities for students who demonstrate exceptional financial need.
It requires ED to allow students to complete FAFSA as independent students under special circumstances. It repeals a provision that makes students convicted of drug-related offenses ineligible for federal student aid and prohibits ED from asking about drug-related convictions on FAFSA.
The bill also allows certain students, including those who have an expected family contribution of zero, to qualify for SNAP benefits.
Timeline
24 Jun 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 3101 do?
- H.R. 3101, the Achieving Independence through Degrees Act, would make several changes to federal student aid programs. It aims to expand access to Pell Grants by increasing the maximum award, making them inflation-adjusted, and extending eligibility to certain short-term workforce training programs. The bill would also require institutions to provide annual financial counseling to students receiving loans and expand exit counseling requirements. The legislation also proposes to permanently reauthorize the Federal Work-Study Program and revise how its funds are allocated. Additionally, it would update the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process to allow students to be considered independent under specific circumstances and would remove a provision that made students convicted of drug-related offenses ineligible for federal student aid, prohibiting such questions on the FAFSA. The bill would also allow certain students, including those with an expected family contribution of zero, to qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on June 5, 2019, by Representative Peter DeFazio and was referred to the Committees on Education and Labor, and Agriculture. As of its introduction, it has not moved past this initial stage.
- Has H.R. 3101 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 3101. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 3101?
- H.R. 3101 was sponsored by Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4] (D-OR), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 3101?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations. (24 Jun 2019).
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