H.R. 3711: Protecting Our Students by Terminating Graduate Rates that Add to Debt Act (119th Congress) Bill Summary

This bill, titled the "Protecting Our Students by Terminating Graduate Rates that Add to Debt Act" or the "POST GRAD Act," aims to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 with specific provisions concerning federal student loans for graduate and professional students.

Key Provisions of the Bill

The main focus of the bill is to reinstate the authority of the Secretary of Education to issue Federal Direct Stafford Loans to graduate and professional students. The bill proposes the following changes:

Temporary Termination Clause: The bill temporarily reinstates the ability to make these loans, with a limitation that this authority will end on or before June 30, 2025.
No Regulatory Requirements: The amendments made by this bill will not be subject to certain rulemaking requirements that are typically part of the Higher Education Act. This means that the usual procedures for implementing these changes can be bypassed, potentially speeding up the process.

Impact on Graduate Students

The reinstatement of Federal Direct Stafford Loans is significant for graduate and professional students, who may rely on these loans to finance their education. By allowing these loans to be made available again, the bill aims to ease the financial burden on students pursuing advanced degrees.

Timeline

The authority to issue these loans is time-limited, with the expectation that any loans granted under this provision would need to be concluded by the specified date in 2025.

Conclusion

The bill appears to be designed to provide immediate financial support for graduate and professional students, while also outlining a clear end date for this financial authority.