PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Nov 5, 2015
Physician Assistant Higher Education Modernization Act of 2015
This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to assist qualified individuals in receiving the education and training needed to become a physician assistant.
Students enrolled in physician assistant education programs are eligible for increased scholarship opportunities, increased unsubsidized loan limits, and loan forgiveness programs for those who serve in areas of national need upon graduation.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
The bill provides educational institutions with the resources to keep up with the demand for new physician assistants. The Department of Education (ED) must:
provide Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly Black Institutions with grants to fund physician assistant studies,
prioritize the awarding of grants for physician assistant education programs that will benefit Hispanics and low-income students, and
provide grants to prepare certified physician assistants to become faculty members in physician assistant education programs.
In addition, ED is authorized to award grants for the improvement of technology in physician assistant education programs. ED may also create and expand physician assistant education programs at institutions in rural areas.
People & committees
Rep. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37] · D–CA
Legislative record
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Mar 23, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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