POST GRAD Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3711
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-04: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T21:56:17Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 3711: Protecting Our Students by Terminating Graduate Rates that Add to Debt Act (POST GRAD Act)
Purpose
This bill aims to temporarily restore the U.S. Department of Education's ability to provide low-interest Federal Direct Stafford Loans directly to graduate and professional students. It addresses a prior cutoff of this loan program to help reduce reliance on higher-interest private loans, thereby limiting additional debt for students pursuing advanced degrees.
Key Provisions
- Short Title: The act is officially named the "Protecting Our Students by Terminating Graduate Rates that Add to Debt Act" or "POST GRAD Act."
- Amendment to Loan Authority: Modifies Section 455(a)(3) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) by:
- Adding the word "Temporary" to the paragraph heading, which originally stated "Termination" of the loan program.
- Extending the program's availability from its previous end date (after June 30, 2012) until "on or before June 30, 2025."
- Exemption from Rulemaking: The changes are not subject to standard procedural requirements under Sections 482(c) or 492 of the HEA, allowing for immediate implementation without new regulations or public comment periods.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The HEA previously terminated the Secretary of Education's authority to issue Federal Direct Stafford Loans to graduate and professional students after June 30, 2012, shifting borrowers toward other federal options (like unsubsidized loans) or private lenders with higher interest rates.
- This bill reverses that termination on a temporary basis, reinstating access to these subsidized, lower-rate loans specifically for graduate and professional students until mid-2025.
- By labeling the termination as "Temporary" and setting a new end date, it creates a limited revival rather than a permanent restoration.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Education regains authority to originate and manage these loans, potentially increasing administrative workload and federal lending volume through 2025, but without needing extended rulemaking processes.
- On Citizens: Graduate and professional students gain access to more affordable federal loans (typically at lower interest rates than private alternatives), which could reduce overall student debt burdens and make advanced education more accessible. However, the temporary nature means uncertainty after 2025.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic higher education financing.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Graduate and Professional Students: Primary beneficiaries, as they can now borrow at favorable federal rates to fund degrees in fields like medicine, law, or academia.
- Higher Education Institutions: Universities and colleges may see increased enrollment in graduate programs due to improved financing options, indirectly supporting their operations.
- U.S. Department of Education: Tasked with resuming loan issuance, affecting its budget and oversight responsibilities.
- Taxpayers and Lenders: Federal government assumes more lending risk; private lenders may lose market share for graduate loans during the reinstatement period.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Bypassing rulemaking requirements (under HEA Sections 482(c) and 492) enables swift enactment but could face challenges if seen as circumventing administrative procedures; however, this is explicitly authorized for certain congressional amendments.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power under Article I, Section 8, as it adjusts federal education funding without raising separation-of-powers concerns.
- Political: Introduced by a bipartisan group of House Democrats in June 2025 and referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, it reflects efforts to address student debt affordability amid ongoing debates on higher education costs. The temporary extension may signal compromise, avoiding long-term fiscal commitments while providing short-term relief.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (21)
Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8], Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-04: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2025-06-04: Introduced in House
- 2025-06-04: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Protecting Our Students by Terminating Graduate Rates that Add to Debt Act — issued 2025-06-04 — PDF (2 pages)