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S 615 115th Congress Senate Education Academic performance and assessments Education programs funding Higher education Performance measurement Student aid and college costs Student records Teaching, teachers, curricula

Higher Education Innovation Act

Introduced: March 13, 2017 Introduced by: Bennet, Michael F. Democratic · Colorado See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 115th Congress ended
It never became law before the 115th Congress (2017–2018) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 13, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Mar 13, 2017
Introduced in Senate
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

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.

What's happening now March 13, 2017

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

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 615: Higher Education Innovation Act. 115th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/115-S-615/
MLA
"S. 615: Higher Education Innovation Act." 115th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/115-S-615/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 615, 115th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/115-S-615/.
Markdown link
[S. 615: Higher Education Innovation Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/115-S-615/)
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