PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial And Antitrust Law.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Sep 28, 2016
Helping Improve Grants for Higher Education & Repayment of Expensive Debt Act or the HIGHER ED Act
This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to:
modify the Federal Pell Grant program to increase the maximum award and restore year-round grants,
make graduate and professional students eligible to receive subsidized Stafford Loans under the Federal Direct Loan program,
direct the Department of Education to refinance outstanding federal student loans for Direct Loan and Federal Family Education Loan program borrowers,
include a part-time job as a faculty member within the definition of "public service job" for purposes of the public service loan forgiveness program, and
establish additional terms and conditions applicable to the income-based and income-contingent repayment plans.
Additionally, the bill amends the federal bankruptcy code to permit a borrower to discharge in bankruptcy a nonprofit, government, or private student loan, or an obligation to repay an educational benefit, scholarship, or stipend.
People & committees
Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4] · D–OR
Legislative record
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial And Antitrust Law.
Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 12, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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