PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Sep 18, 2014
Helping College Students Cross the Finish Line Act - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Secretary of Education to award grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) to establish a financial assistance program that awards funds to at least 100 of the IHE's undergraduate or vocational students each academic year who:
are enrolled on at least a half-time basis;
are academically able to complete the degree or certificate program in which they are enrolled within an academic year;
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
are in good academic standing;
if they previously received such an award, maintained good academic standing during the academic period for which they received such award;
are unable to fully pay an outstanding tuition payment that is due; and
without financial assistance, will discontinue the degree or certificate program in which they are enrolled.
Caps the amount of such award. Prohibits a student from receiving an award for more than two semesters or the equivalent of two semesters.
Requires the IHEs to provide each student who receives an award that does not fully cover the amount due on the student's outstanding tuition with information on the financial assistance available from any other source.
Directs the Secretary to create, and each student that receives an award to complete, an online financial literacy survey that includes matters relating to budgeting and saving, student loan debt, and career planning.
People & committees
Rep. Braley, Bruce L. [D-IA-1] · D–IA
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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