S. 4897

116 S4897 IS: Credit for Prior Learning Act
 U.S. Senate
 2026-06-24
 text/xml
 EN
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 II  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  S. 4897  IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES   June 24, 2026   Ms. Klobuchar  (for herself and  Mr. Sheehy ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the  Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions    A BILL
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to include in the calculation of cost of attendance an allowance for costs for prior learning assessments.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Credit for Prior Learning Act  .
2.
Cost of attendance to include an allowance for costs for prior learning assessments
Section 472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1087ll ), as amended by section 702 of the FAFSA Simplification Act (title VII of division FF of  Public Law 116–260 ), is amended in subsection (a)—
(1)
in paragraph (13), by striking  and  after the semicolon;
(2)
in paragraph (14), by striking the period and inserting  ; and ; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following:
(15)
an allowance of not more than $2,000 per award year (adjusted for inflation in years following the 2025–2026 award year) for reasonable costs, including test fees, associated with the assessment of prior learning as part of one or more eligible credit for prior learning assessments.
 .
3.
Definition of eligible credit for prior learning assessment
Section 481 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1088 ) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(g)
Eligible credit for prior learning assessment
For purposes of this title, the term  eligible credit for prior learning assessment  includes an evaluation of knowledge or skills learned outside of an institution of higher education—
(1)
that assesses for evidence of learning, not for experience or time spent;
(2)
that has been determined by the institution to be based on generally accepted criteria by relevant subject matter experts; and
(3)
for which successful assessment will result in the institution awarding academic credit (without the student having to enroll in additional coursework to achieve such academic credit) to meet all or part of the program requirements toward completion.
 .
4.
Recognition of accrediting agency or association
Section 496(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1099b(c) ) is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (8), by striking  and  after the semicolon;
(2)
in paragraph (9)(B), by striking the period and inserting  ; and ; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following:
(10)
confirms, as part of the agency’s or association’s review for accreditation or reaccreditation, that the institution has sufficient standards for assessment of prior learning—
(A)
that assess for skills, competencies, and knowledge at levels generally accepted by subject matter experts; and
(B)
that are publicly disclosed.
 .
5.
Transparency in college tuition for consumers
Section 132(i)(1) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1015a(i)(1) ) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(AA)
The number of students receiving credit for prior learning, disaggregated by race, income, and status as a Federal Pell Grant recipient.
(BB)
The average number of credits awarded per student seeking credit for prior learning, disaggregated by race, income, and status as a Federal Pell Grant recipient.
 .
6.
Effective date
Unless otherwise specified, this Act, and the amendments made by this Act, shall take effect on July 1, 2027.