Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi on Thursday introduced a new bill titled ‘Protecting Students from Worthless Degree Act’ to safeguard the student and taxpayer community from fraudulent educational institutions offering worthless degrees.
According to a press release, the bill is valid under the existing circumstances wherein the cost for education and education debt of common man is steadily increasing.
If enacted, the new bill will protect the taxpayers from getting the return of their investment, said the press release.
“Good education is the foundation for building a career and a middle-class life, but too many students are completing training programs only to learn too late and too much debt that their program failed to meet the standard required from them to start their career,” said Krishnamoorthi.
“An institution of higher education is not eligible to participate in a Federal financial assistance program with respect to any program of secondary education or training, including a degree or certificate program, that is designed to prepare students for entry into a recognized occupation or profession that requires licensing or other established requirements as a pre-condition for entry into such occupation or profession, unless, by not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act,” reads the text of the bill introduced by Krishnamoorthi.
The bill ensures that institutions that fail to properly prepare students by meeting industry requirements would no longer be eligible for federal student financial assistance.
The bill is co-authored by Congressman Mark Takano, as well as Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon, who introduced a previous version of the bill in the 114th Congress.
“This is a travesty for both students and taxpayers,” Krishnamoorthi added.
“That’s why I’m introducing the Protecting Students from Worthless Degrees Act to hold institutions accountable by ensuring that taxpayer dollars only go to programs that fulfil their promise of preparing students for a career. Education is the most important investment we can make in our country’s future, and it is imperative we ensure the resources of students and taxpayers do not go to predatory and valueless programs,” he concluded.