H.R.1641 - Student Debt Alternative and CTE Awareness Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1641, the "Student Debt Alternative and CTE Awareness Act," aims to increase awareness of career and technical education (CTE) programs. It mandates the Department of Education to disclose information about CTE programs on its website and requires the FAFSA application to include a CTE acknowledgment. The bill intends to inform students about alternatives to four-year degrees.
Expected Effects
The bill's enactment would lead to greater transparency regarding CTE programs. This includes information on completion times, costs, and employment rates. It will also make students applying for financial aid more aware of CTE as a viable option.
Potential Benefits
- Increased awareness of CTE programs among students.
- Improved access to information about CTE program outcomes and costs.
- Potential reduction in student debt by encouraging alternative educational paths.
- Enhanced alignment of education with workforce needs.
- No additional financial burden due to the prohibition on additional funds.
Potential Disadvantages
- The bill does not allocate additional funding, potentially limiting the expansion or improvement of CTE programs.
- The effectiveness of simply adding information to the FAFSA application may be limited if not accompanied by broader outreach.
- The one-page summary may not provide sufficient detail for informed decision-making.
- The bill's impact is dependent on the accuracy and completeness of the information provided by the Department of Education.
- There is no requirement for states to improve or expand their CTE programs, only to disclose information about them.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Constitution's broad mandate to "promote the general Welfare" (Preamble). Congress has the power to legislate on matters related to education and commerce, which this bill touches upon. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).