Bill > HR3568

This bill, the Training Highly Skilled Americans Act of 2013, aims to boost the United States' economic competitiveness by establishing a dedicated STEM Education and Training Account. Employers seeking certification for certain foreign workers will be required to pay a $1,000 fee, which will be deposited into this new account. The funds generated will then be allocated to several key areas: 30% for a scholarship program for low-income students pursuing STEM degrees, with a focus on underrepresented groups and potential loan forgiveness; 10% for grants to improve K-12 STEM education, including partnerships and teacher training, with a focus on disadvantaged populations; 20% for grants to minority-serving institutions to enhance their STEM programs and student retention; 5% for workforce investment activities; and 3% for grants to establish "American Dream Accounts" for low-income students, which will monitor their college readiness and include a college savings component. The bill also allows for up to 2% of the funds for administrative expenses and mandates an annual evaluation of the program's impact.