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.

1/4/2025, 11:12 AM

Summary of Bill HR 10404

Bill 118 hr 10404, also known as the "Foreign Distance Education Act," aims to amend title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow foreign institutions of higher education to participate in federal student aid programs for their distance education programs. Currently, only domestic institutions are eligible for these programs.

The bill seeks to expand access to higher education for students who are interested in pursuing degrees from foreign institutions through online or distance learning programs. By allowing these institutions to participate in federal student aid programs, students would have more options for obtaining a quality education, regardless of their location.

Supporters of the bill argue that it would increase competition and innovation in the higher education sector, as well as provide students with more affordable options for obtaining a degree. Additionally, it could potentially strengthen international partnerships and collaborations between US and foreign institutions. Critics, however, raise concerns about the quality and accreditation of foreign institutions, as well as the potential for fraud and abuse in the federal student aid system. They argue that allowing foreign institutions to participate in these programs could undermine the integrity of US higher education and put students at risk of receiving subpar education. Overall, the Foreign Distance Education Act aims to expand access to higher education for students interested in pursuing degrees from foreign institutions through online programs, but it also raises important questions about quality, accreditation, and potential risks for students.

Congressional Summary of HR 10404

Providing Distance Education for Foreign Institutions Act

This bill makes certain distance education programs offered by foreign institutions of higher education (IHEs) eligible to participate in federal student-aid programs, thereby making students participating in these programs eligible to receive federal student aid.

(The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, waived the statutory prohibition on foreign IHEs offering distance education, which allowed students participating in these programs to receive federal student aid. However, this waiver is set to end on the latest of June 30, 2023; the last day of the payment period that begins on or before June 30, 2023; or the last day of the first payment period following the end of the foreign authority's qualifying emergency.)

Under this bill, a foreign IHE program is eligible to participate in federal student-aid programs if

not more than 12.5% of the program consists of courses offered principally through distance education,
the foreign IHE has been evaluated and determined by an outside oversight entity (e.g., an accrediting agency) to have the capability to effectively deliver distance education programs, and
the students receiving federal student aid are physically present in the country where the foreign IHE is located during the distance education instruction.

Current Status of Bill HR 10404

Bill HR 10404 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since December 12, 2024. Bill HR 10404 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the House on December 12, 2024. Bill HR 10404's most recent activity was Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. as of December 12, 2024

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 10404

Total Number of Sponsors

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Republican Sponsors

Unaffiliated Sponsors

Total Number of Cosponsors

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Unaffiliated Cosponsors

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 10404

Primary Policy Focus

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 10404

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.