Government Relations Update Susie Dumond GPACAC Government Relations Committee Chair

1. Government Relations Update Susie Dumond GPACAC Government Relations Committee Chair GPACAC/MOACAC Conference April 8, 2014

2. Pay It Forward 21 states have introduced legislation to study Pay It Forward; Oregon has passed its version and set up a commission. Basic idea behind PIF is that instead of paying tuition, students would pay a certain percentage of their salary for a certain number of years to pay for their education (for example, 3% of their salary for 25 years). Rep. Bonamici (D-OR) introduced federal legislation, which is a pilot program and varies from the state proposals. NACAC has not taken a position on PIF but has provided lawmakers a series of questions to consider before implementing PIF.

3. Pay It Forward

4. Pay It Forward – NACAC’s Questions Would PIF proposals include books and supplies, or only tuition? How would PIF proposals overlap with federal loan programs and grant programs? How would PIF proposals alter states’ approach to investing in higher education? Would PIF proposals be 100% participation or voluntary opt-in? How would PIF proposals take into account students who transfer to different colleges, states, drop out altogether, or leave the workforce? Source: NACAC Issue Resources

5. Common Core Common Core Standards have been adopted individually by 45 states and the District of Columbia. Participation is available for states to incorporate voluntarily. Teachers, parents and community leaders have all weighed in to help create the Common Core State Standards. Common Core consists of standards, not curriculums, for students across the country. Effectiveness is measured through formal assessments (PARCC or Smarter Balanced). The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. Source: NACAC Briefing Room

7. Common Core Rejected • Legislation Passed • Pending Legislation • No Pending Legislation

8. DREAM Act Update • Comprehensive Immigration Reform • Senate passed CIR in the late Spring of 2013 • Includes provisions similar to the DREAM Act • House has so far refused to take up any immigration legislation • Rumors that Speaker Boehner (R-OH) may decide to do so sometime this year • NACAC continues to advocate for passage of the DREAM provisions.

9. AK Updated 2/2014 State Laws & Policies on Access to Higher Education for Undocumented Students Total number of states with Tuition Equity Laws as of February 2014- 16 states WA ME MT ND VT OR MN NH ID MA NY SD WI CT RI WY MI NV PA IA NJ NE OH MD DE IN IL *States that also allow such students to receive state financial aid: CA, NM, TX UT CO CA* WV KS VA MO KY NC TN OK AZ NM* AR SC States that passed in-state tuition equity laws in 2013: CO, MN, NJ, OR GA MS AL TX* LA FL AK HI States that ban enrollment of undocumented students States introduced tuition equity legislation in 2014 States with Tuition Equity Laws States with Tuition Equity Policies, Board of Regents Decisions (HI, MI, OH, RI) States introduced tuition equity legislation in 2014, died in legislature States where some college systems ban enrollment

10. Legislative Update -- 113th Congress • House is controlled by Republicans • 232 Republicans • 200 Democrats • 3 Vacancies • Senate is controlled by Democrats* • 53 Democrats • 45 Republicans • 2 Independents (caucus with Democrats, effectively giving them 55 seats) • * Need 60 votes to get just about anything passed

11. Legislative Update -- Legislation • Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) • Expired in 2007 • Passed (12-10) the Senate HELP Committee in June 2013 • Passed (221-207) the House in July 2013 • Higher Education Act (HEA) • Expired in 2013 • No action in either the House or Senate

12. Legislative Update -- Legislation • NACAC endorsed several bills that provide counseling to students and/or protect students and tax payers from unscrupulous institutions, including: • HR 3612/S 915: Know Before You Owe Private Student Loan Act (Rep. Polis/Senator Wyden). Would help students and families better understand their borrowing options by requiring institutions of higher education to inform students about their federal financial aid availability and eligibility and rights pertaining to private loans, as well as, requiring private lenders to certify the amount a student is eligible to borrow before issuing a private loan, among other provisions. • HR 340/S 528: The Protecting Financial Aid for Students and Taxpayers Act (Rep. Grijalva/Senator Hagan). Helps prevent students from falling victim to unscrupulous schools by prohibiting the use of Pell Grants, federal student loans, the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, and other federal education funds for advertising, marketing and recruitment.

13. Legislative Update – Legislation • HR 3399: The Veterans Education Counseling Act (Rep. Chu). Ensures that all GI Bill-eligible veterans applying for benefits are made aware of the free educational counseling available to them by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) before receiving their certificate of eligibility. • S 1659: The Protecting Our Students and Taxpayers Act (Senator Durbin). Re-instates the original ratio of 85/15 (it was loosened to 90/10 in 1998) and change the definition of what counts as federal revenue so that it includes all federal funds. • S1943: the IN-STATE for Dreamers Act (Senator Murray). Establishes the American Dream Grant to states for the purpose of expanding access to higher education for low income students. • H Res 60/ S Res 27: Designating the week of February 4 through February 8, 2013 as "National School Counseling Week.” (Rep. Sanchez/Senator Murray).  

15. Questions or comments? Susie Dumond Government Relations Committee Chair Great Plains Association of College Admission Counseling 918-631-3235 Susie-dumond@utulsa.edu