Bill Summary
The "Providing Distance Education for Foreign Institutions Act" amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow distance education programs offered by foreign higher education institutions to be eligible for federal student aid. Key provisions include:
1. **Eligibility Criteria**: A foreign institution's program can qualify for aid if no more than 12.5% of the program is delivered through distance education, the institution is evaluated positively by an external accrediting body, and students must be physically present in the country of the institution during the distance education instruction.
2. **Definition of Distance Education**: Courses that require more than 50% in-person attendance will not count as primarily distance education, which helps ensure quality and engagement in the learning process.
3. **Implementation Timeline**: The amendments will take effect immediately upon enactment and will apply to academic programs starting no earlier than three months after the passage of the law.
This legislation aims to enhance access to higher education for students at foreign institutions while maintaining standards for educational quality.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the "Providing Distance Education for Foreign Institutions Act" could affect people:
1. **Increased Access to International Education**: This legislation allows students in the United States to enroll in distance education programs offered by foreign institutions, provided they meet specific criteria. This could open up a wider range of educational opportunities for students, especially those who may be interested in unique programs or courses that are not available domestically. For example, a student interested in studying international business might find a specialized program in a foreign country that suits their interests and career goals.
2. **Eligibility for Financial Aid**: By amending the eligibility requirements for distance education programs from foreign institutions, the bill enables students enrolled in these programs to qualify for federal financial aid. This financial support can make higher education more accessible for students who might otherwise be unable to afford it. For instance, a student who wants to study abroad but is concerned about the costs can benefit from financial aid to help cover tuition and related expenses.
3. **Quality Assurance and Oversight**: The requirement that foreign institutions be evaluated by an outside oversight entity ensures that the education provided meets certain quality standards. This can protect students from enrolling in subpar programs that may not adequately prepare them for their careers. For example, a student considering an online degree from a foreign institution can have greater confidence knowing that the institution has undergone a rigorous evaluation process, thus enhancing the value of their degree upon graduation.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6282 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6282
To amend title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide
program eligibility for distance education programs offered by foreign
institutions of higher education.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
November 21, 2025
Mr. Smucker (for himself and Mr. Schneider) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide
program eligibility for distance education programs offered by foreign
institutions of higher education.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Providing Distance Education for
Foreign Institutions Act''.
SEC. 2. ELIGIBILITY OF DISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS OFFERED BY FOREIGN
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
(a) In General.--Section 481(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(20 U.S.C. 1088(b)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (3), the following:
``(4)(A) An otherwise eligible program that is offered by a foreign
institution and is offered in part through distance education is
eligible for the purposes of this title if--
``(i) not more than 12.5 percent of such program consists
of courses offered principally through distance education;
``(ii) the foreign institution has been evaluated and
determined by an outside oversight entity, such as an
accrediting agency or association or government entity, to have
the capability to effectively deliver distance education
programs; and
``(iii) the students receiving aid under this title are
physically present in the country where the foreign institution
is located during the distance education instruction.
``(B) In calculating the percentage of a program offered through
distance education for purposes of clause (i) of subparagraph (A), any
course that is part of such a program that requires a student's regular
in-person attendance for more than 50 percent of the instruction, but
also includes one or more distance education components as part of the
course, shall not be considered to be offered principally through
distance education.''.
(b) Effective Date and Application.--The amendments made by
subsection (a) shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act,
and shall apply with respect to the first semester (or the equivalent)
that begins after such date, but not earlier than 3 months after such
date.
(c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 83002(b) of Public Law 119-21 is
amended by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
``(1) by redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) as
paragraphs (4), (5), and (6), respectively; and''.
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