In the exercise of its functions, powers, and duties, the Advisory Committee shall be independent of the Secretary and the other offices and officers of the Department. Notwithstanding Department of Education policies and regulations, the Advisory Committee shall exert independent control of its budget allocations, expenditures and staffing levels, personnel decisions and processes, procurements, and other administrative and management functions. The Advisory Committee's administration and management shall be subject to the usual and customary Federal audit procedures. Reports, publications, and other documents of the Advisory Committee, including such reports, publications, and documents in electronic form, shall not be subject to review by the Secretary. The recommendations of the Committee shall not be subject to review or approval by any officer in the executive branch, but may be submitted to the Secretary for comment prior to submission to the authorizing committees in accordance with subsection (f). The Secretary's authority to terminate advisory committees of the Department pursuant to section 1233g(b) 1 of this title ceased to be effective on June 23, 1983.
The Advisory Committee shall-
as designated at the time of appointment by the Secretary.
The Advisory Committee may submit its proposed recommendations to the Department of Education for comment for a period not to exceed 30 days in each instance.
Members of the Advisory Committee may each receive reimbursement for travel expenses incident to attending Advisory Committee meetings, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5, for persons in the Government service employed intermittently.
In each fiscal year not less than $800,000, shall be available from the amount appropriated for each such fiscal year from salaries and expenses of the Department for the costs of carrying out the provisions of this section.
The Advisory Committee shall-
Notwithstanding the sunset and charter provisions of chapter 10 of title 5 or any other statute or regulation, the Advisory Committee shall be authorized until October 1, 2015.
The Advisory Committee shall make recommendations to the Secretary and the authorizing committees for consideration of future legislative action regarding redundant or outdated regulations consistent with the Secretary's requirements under section 1099c-2 of this title.
To meet the requirements of subsection (d)(10), the Advisory Committee shall conduct a review and analysis of the regulations issued by Federal agencies that are in effect at the time of the review and that apply to the operations or activities of institutions of higher education from all sectors. The review and analysis may include a determination of whether the regulation is duplicative, is no longer necessary, is inconsistent with other Federal requirements, or is overly burdensome. In conducting the review, the Advisory Committee shall pay specific attention to evaluating ways in which regulations under this subchapter affecting institutions of higher education (other than institutions described in section 1002(a)(1)(C) of this title), that have received in each of the two most recent award years prior to August 14, 2008, less than $200,000 in funds through this subchapter, may be improved, streamlined, or eliminated.
The Advisory Committee shall-
The Advisory Committee shall develop and maintain an easy to use, searchable, and regularly updated website that-
In carrying out the review, analysis, and development of the website required under paragraph (2), the Advisory Committee shall consult with the Secretary, other Federal agencies, relevant representatives of institutions of higher education, individuals who have expertise and experience with Federal regulations, and the review panels described in subparagraph (B).
The Advisory Committee shall convene not less than two review panels of representatives of the groups involved in higher education, including individuals involved in student financial assistance programs under this subchapter, who have experience and expertise in the regulations issued by the Federal Government that affect all sectors of higher education, in order to review the regulations and to provide recommendations to the Advisory Committee with respect to the review and analysis under paragraph (2). The panels shall be made up of experts in areas such as the operations of the financial assistance programs, the institutional eligibility requirements for the financial assistance programs, regulations not directly related to the operations or the institutional eligibility requirements of the financial assistance programs, and regulations for dissemination of information to students about the financial assistance programs.
The Advisory Committee shall-
The Secretary and the Inspector General of the Department shall provide such assistance and resources to the Advisory Committee as the Secretary and Inspector General determine are necessary to conduct the review and analysis required by this subsection.
The Advisory Committee shall conduct a study of the feasibility of increasing baccalaureate degree attainment rates by reducing the costs and financial barriers to attaining a baccalaureate degree through innovative programs.
The Advisory Committee shall examine new and existing programs that promote baccalaureate degree attainment through innovative ways, such as dual or concurrent enrollment programs, changes made to the Federal Pell Grant program, simplification of the needs analysis process, compressed or modular scheduling, articulation agreements, and programs that allow two-year institutions of higher education to offer baccalaureate degrees.
In performing the study described in this subsection, the Advisory Committee shall examine the following aspects of such innovative programs:
In performing the study described in this subsection, the Advisory Committee shall consult with a broad range of interested parties in higher education, including parents, students, appropriate representatives of secondary schools and institutions of higher education, appropriate State administrators, administrators of dual or concurrent enrollment programs, and appropriate Department officials.
The Advisory Committee shall consult on a regular basis with the authorizing committees in carrying out the study required by this subsection.
The Advisory Committee shall prepare and submit to the authorizing committees and the Secretary an interim report, not later than one year after August 14, 2008, describing the progress made in conducting the study required by this subsection and any preliminary findings on the topics identified under paragraph (2).
The Advisory Committee shall, not later than three years after August 14, 2008, prepare and submit to the authorizing committees and the Secretary a final report on the study, including recommendations for legislative, regulatory, and administrative changes based on findings related to the topics identified under paragraph (2).
1 See References in Text note below.
20 U.S.C. § 1098
EDITORIAL NOTES
REFERENCES IN TEXTSection 1233g of this title, referred to in subsec. (b), was repealed by Pub. L. 103-382, §212, 108 Stat. 3913.The Higher Education Opportunity Act, referred to in subsec. (l)(4)(A), is Pub. L. 110-315, 122 Stat. 3078. Section 1106 of the Act is not classified to the Code. For complete classification of such Act to the Code, see Short Title of 2008 Amendment note set out under section 1001 of this title and Tables.
PRIOR PROVISIONSA prior section 1098, Pub. L. 89-329, title IV, §491, as added Pub. L. 96-374, title IV, §451(a), Oct. 3, 1980, 94 Stat. 1454; amended Pub. L. 98-79, §11, Aug. 15, 1983, 97 Stat. 484, related to a National Commission on Student Financial Assistance, prior to the general revision of this part by Pub. L. 99-498.Another prior section 491 of Pub. L. 89-329 amended former section 403 of this title.
AMENDMENTS2022-Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 117-286 substituted "chapter 10 of title 5" for "the Federal Advisory Committee Act".2014-Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 113-174 substituted "2015" for "2014". 2009-Subsec. (l)(2)(A). Pub. L. 111-39 made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to August 14, 2008.2008-Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 110-315, §494 C(b), substituted "authorizing committees" for "Congress".Subsec. (a)(2)(D) to (F). Pub. L. 110-315, §494 C(a)(1), added subpars. (D) to (F).Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 110-315, §494 C(b), substituted "authorizing committees" for "Congress".Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 110-315, §494 C(a)(2), added subsec. (c) and struck out former subsec. (c) relating to appointment and qualifications of Advisory Committee members.Subsec. (d)(6). Pub. L. 110-315, §494 C(a)(3)(A), (b), substituted "authorizing committees" for "Congress" and struck out ", but nothing in this section shall authorize the committee to perform such studies, surveys, or analyses" before semicolon.Subsec. (d)(9) to (11). Pub. L. 110-315, §494 C(a)(3)(B)-(D), added pars. (9) and (10) and redesignated former par. (9) as (11).Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 110-315, §494 C(a)(4)(A), substituted "4 years" for "3 years" in introductory provision. Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 110-315, §494 C(a)(4)(B), substituted "A member of the Advisory Committee serving on August 14, 2008, shall be permitted to serve the duration of the member's term, regardless of whether the member was previously appointed to more than one term." for "A member of the Advisory Committee shall, upon request, continue to serve after the expiration of a term until a successor has been appointed. A member of the Advisory Committee may be reappointed to successive terms on the Advisory Committee." Subsec. (j)(1). Pub. L. 110-315, §494 C(a)(5)(A), inserted "and simplifications" after "delivery processes" and struck out "including the implementation of a performance-based organization within the Department, and report to Congress regarding such modernization on not less than an annual basis," before "including recommendations for improvement". Subsec. (j)(4), (5). Pub. L. 110-315, §494 C(a)(5)(B), added pars. (4) and (5) and struck out former pars. (4) and (5) which read as follows:"(4) assess the implications of distance education on student eligibility and other requirements for financial assistance under this subchapter, and make recommendations that will enhance access to postsecondary education through distance education while maintaining access, through on-campus instruction at eligible institutions, and program integrity; and"(5) make recommendations to the Secretary regarding redundant or outdated provisions of and regulations under this chapter, consistent with the Secretary's requirements under section 1099c-2 of this title."Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 110-315, §494 C(a)(6), substituted "2014" for "2004".Subsecs. (l), (m). Pub. L. 110-315, §494 C(a)(7), added subsecs. (l) and (m). 1998-Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105-244, §490 C(1), substituted ", expenditures and staffing levels" for "and expenditures" in second sentence and inserted "Reports, publications, and other documents of the Advisory Committee, including such reports, publications, and documents in electronic form, shall not be subject to review by the Secretary." after third sentence.Subsec. (e)(3) to (6). Pub. L. 105-244, §490 C(2), added par. (3) and redesignated former pars. (3) to (5) as (4) to (6), respectively.Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 105-244, §490 C(3), substituted "Members of the Advisory Committee may each" for "(1) Members of the Advisory Committee who are officers or full-time employees of the United States shall serve without compensation in addition to that received for their services as officers or employees of the United States; but they may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by section 5703 of title 5, for persons in the Government service employed intermittently."(2) Members of the Advisory Committee who are not officers or full-time employees of the United States may each".Subsec. (h)(1). Pub. L. 105-244, §490 C(4), inserted "determined" after "as may be" and inserted at end "The Advisory Committee may appoint not more than 1 full-time equivalent, nonpermanent, consultant without regard to the provisions of title 5. The Advisory Committee shall not be required by the Secretary to reduce personnel to meet agency personnel reduction goals."Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 105-244, §490 C(5), substituted "$800,000" for "$750,000". Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 105-244, §490 C(6), amended heading and text of subsec. (j) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The committee shall-"(1) monitor and evaluate the program modifications resulting from the enactment of the Higher Education Amendments of 1992, especially as such amendments relate to the need analysis; "(2) monitor and evaluate the implementation, pursuant to section 1090 of this title, of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the process for determining eligibility and awards for programs under this subchapter, including a simplified reapplication process;"(3) assess the adequacy of current methods for disseminating information about programs under this subchapter and recommend improvements, as appropriate, regarding early needs assessment and information for first-year high school students; and"(4) assess the adequacy of methods of monitoring student debt burden."Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 105-244, §490 C(7), substituted "2004" for "1998".Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 105-244, §490 C(8), struck out heading and text of subsec. (l) which directed Advisory Committee to conduct a study of means of simplifying all aspects of loan programs under part B of this subchapter. 1993-Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 103-208, §2(h) (45), struck out "sections 1070a-1 through 1070a-5 of this title and" after "established under".Subsec. (h)(1). Pub. L. 103-208, §2(h) (46), substituted "subchapter III" for "subtitle III" before "of chapter 53 of such title".1992-Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102-325, §496(a), inserted after first sentence "Notwithstanding Department of Education policies and regulations, the Advisory Committee shall exert independent control of its budget allocations and expenditures, personnel decisions and processes, procurements, and other administrative and management functions. The Advisory Committee's administration and management shall be subject to the usual and customary Federal audit procedures." Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 102-325, §496(b)(1), struck out "and in assessing the impact of legislative and administrative policy proposals" after "student aid". Subsec. (d)(4) to (9). Pub. L. 102-325, §496(b)(2) -(6), added par. (4), redesignated former pars. (4) to (7) as (5) to (8), respectively, and added par. (9).Subsec. (h)(4). Pub. L. 102-325, §496(c), substituted "without regard to" for "in accordance with" and inserted before period at end "and to set pay in accordance with such section". Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 102-325, §496(d), substituted "$750,000" for "$500,000".Subsecs. (j) to (l). Pub. L. 102-325, §496(e), added subsecs. (j) to (l) and struck out former subsec. (j), which related to special institutional lender study.1987-Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100-50, §15(16), inserted at end "The Secretary's authority to terminate advisory committees of the Department pursuant to section 1233g(b) of this title ceased to be effective on June 23, 1983."Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 100-50, §15(17), substituted "In each fiscal year not less than $500,000" for "An amount, not to exceed $500,000 in any fiscal year". Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 100-50, §15(18), added subsec. (j).
STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2009 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 111-39 effective as if enacted on the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110-315 (Aug. 14, 2008), see section 3 of Pub. L. 111-39, set out as a note under section 1001 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1998 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 105-244 effective Oct. 1, 1998, except as otherwise provided in Pub. L. 105-244, see section 3 of Pub. L. 105-244, set out as a note under section 1001 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1993 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 103-208 effective as if included in the Higher Education Amendments of 1992, Pub. L. 102-325 except as otherwise provided, see section 5(a) of Pub. L. 103-208, set out as a note under section 1051 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1987 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 100-50 effective as if enacted as part of the Higher Education Amendments of 1986, Pub. L. 99-498, see section 27 of Pub. L. 100-50, set out as a note under section 1001 of this title.
REFERENCES IN OTHER LAWS TO GS-16, 17, OR 18 PAY RATESReferences in laws to the rates of pay for GS-16, 17, or 18, or to maximum rates of pay under the General Schedule, to be considered references to rates payable under specified sections of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, see section 529 [title I, §101(c)(1)] of Pub. L. 101-509, set out in a note under section 5376 of Title 5.