United States 115th Congress Status: In Committee 1 D cosponsors

S 615 — Higher Education Innovation Act

Last action — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Track this bill free

No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 115th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Higher Education Innovation Act This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish an alternative authorization process for institutions of higher education (IHEs) and other education providers to participate in federal student aid programs. The Department of Education must approve innovation authorizers to authorize IHEs or other education providers that: promote student success outcomes and cost-effectiveness, agree to outcome-based oversight and reporting requirements, meet performance metrics, and comply with other specified requirements. Authorization by an innovation authorizer is deemed recognized accreditation for purposes of participation in title IV federal student aid programs. An IHE or education provider may be both accredited by a recognized accrediting agency and authorized by an innovation authorizer, if it meets the requirements of both.

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

3 changes Share ↗

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill introduces an alternative authorization system for innovative higher education providers to participate in federal programs, adding new definitions and processes while maintaining the existing framework.

  • 20 U.S.C. § 1099a

    Subpart 4--Alternative Authorization System SEC. 498C. ALTERNATIVE AUTHORIZATION SYSTEM. (a) Definitions.--In this section: ...

    The bill adds a new subpart establishing an alternative system for authorizing educational entities.

  • 20 U.S.C. § 1099a

    An innovation authorizer may authorize an eligible entity, if-- ...

    The bill allows innovation authorizers to approve entities based on specific performance criteria.

  • 20 U.S.C. § 1099a

    Each innovation authorizer shall enter into an agreement with the Secretary whereby the innovation authorizer agrees to pay the Secretary an amount equal to not less than 25 percent of the amount of Federal student loans that are held by current and former students of any eligible entity authorized by the innovation authorizer under subsection (d) and that are in default each fiscal year.

    Introduces a financial risk-sharing requirement for innovation authorizers concerning defaulted student loans.

Action History

  1. Introduced in Senate

  2. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 546 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (546)

546 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 546 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

education
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does S 615 do?
Higher Education Innovation Act This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish an alternative authorization process for institutions of higher education (IHEs) and other education providers to participate in federal student aid programs. The Department of Education must approve innovation authorizers to authorize IHEs or other education providers that: promote student success outcomes and cost-effectiveness, agree to outcome-based oversight and reporting requirements, meet performance metrics, and comply with other specified requirements. Authorization by an innovation authorizer is deemed recognized accreditation for purposes of participation in title IV federal student aid programs. An IHE or education provider may be both accredited by a recognized accrediting agency and authorized by an innovation authorizer, if it meets the requirements of both.
Who sponsors S 615?
S 615 is sponsored by Bennet, Michael F. (Democratic).
What is the current status of S 615?
This bill died with 115th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track S 615?
Track S 615 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on S 615

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of S 615

Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →