Bill > S1557

This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to improve net price calculators (NPCs) used by colleges to help prospective students understand the true cost of attending college. The bill establishes minimum standards for these calculators, requiring that they be clearly labeled and prominently displayed on college websites, with a link that matches the size and font of other primary menu links. Within one year of enactment, college NPCs must include a detailed input screen showing net prices by income categories and a results screen that provides comprehensive cost information, including total estimated program costs, annual expenses (tuition, room and board, books, and other expenses), and estimated grant aid from federal, state, and institutional sources. The bill also mandates that calculators protect user privacy by prohibiting the sale of personal information and clearly marking optional contact information. Additionally, the bill authorizes the Department of Education to develop a universal net price calculator that allows users to get price estimates for multiple institutions through a single platform. This universal calculator must undergo consumer testing with various stakeholder groups, including students, families, counselors, and consumer advocacy organizations, to ensure its effectiveness and user-friendliness. Finally, the bill requires the Secretary of Education to submit a report to Congress about efforts to raise awareness of net price calculators, particularly among middle and high school students and those from low-income families.

Health and Social Services

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1557/all-info