Department activities

Part C of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087–51 et seq.), as amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following: 449A. Department activities (a) Surveys Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall develop, in consultation with work-study administrators from institutions of higher education, participating employers, and participating students— (1) a consumer-tested electronic survey for students awarded work-study employment under the Federal work-study program under this part that— (A) measures each student’s satisfaction with the Federal work-study program, including— (i) any complaints the student has with respect to the program; (ii) the amount and quality of the on-the-job training the student received; (iii) the amount and quality of on-the-job supervision and employer feedback the student received; (iv) the amount and quality of information provided by the institution about the work-study program and job opportunities and the availability of work-study staff at the institution; (v) the quality of the assistance provided by the institution to the student in finding a work-study job and the availability of types of jobs; and (vi) the student’s overall satisfaction with the work-study program; (B) measures the applicability of work-study employment to the educational goals and career goals of each student; (C) elicits an assessment by each student of the capacity to manage time between work-study employment and coursework; (D) measures, with respect to the program— (i) the award amounts under the program; (ii) the average number of hours students worked per week, and the wages received for that work; (iii) the number of on campus jobs and off campus jobs; (iv) how students located work-study positions; (v) the work performed at each job; (vi) whether students worked additional jobs while employed in a work-study job (and the reason for any additional job); (vii) whether the work-study employment had an impact on the student’s academic performance; and (viii) the voluntarily disclosed demographics of students awarded work-study employment; and (E) includes such information as the Secretary may require; (2) a consumer-tested electronic survey for employers of students described in paragraph (1) that— (A) measures each employer’s satisfaction with the Federal work-study program, including— (i) the extent to which the employer is satisfied with its ability to accommodate students’ schedules; (ii) the extent to which student-employees are prepared for the duties advertised for the job; and (iii) the extent to which the employer is satisfied with opportunities to make recommendations for improving institutions’ academic programs; (B) elicits an assessment by each such employer of— (i) any complaints the employer had with respect to the program; (ii) any skills or knowledge necessary for the job that student-employees are lacking; and (iii) the extent of outreach from institutions to the employer; and (C) includes such information as the Secretary may require; and (3) a consumer-tested electronic survey that, not less than once every 4 years, with respect to each institution of higher education participating in the Federal work-study program, measures— (A) methods used to recruit on-campus and off-campus employers; (B) if an institution operates a job location development program— (i) the share of jobs filled on-campus and off-campus; (ii) the share of jobs filled by— (I) work-study recipients; and (II) students who demonstrate exceptional need (as defined in section 413C(c)(2)); (iii) the primary factors considered in matching work-study students and jobs; (iv) the share of students employed in work-based learning opportunities; and (v) the share of students employed during qualified periods of nonenrollment, including the share of students with exceptional need (as defined in section 413C(c)(2)) employed during qualified periods of nonenrollment; (C) the institution’s Federal and non-Federal contributions toward work-study wages; (D) the primary factors considered in awarding students work-study and in determining the amount of the award; (E) the acceptance rate among students who were offered work-study aid; and (F) other information the Secretary may require. (b) Results The Secretary shall develop an online portal— (1) for students, employers, and institutions of higher education to access the surveys required under subsection (a); and (2) to compile the results of those surveys. (c) Report Not less than once every 4 years after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress that includes— (1) the data collected under this section (redacted for personal information); (2) with respect to students employed in work-study through the Federal work-study program— (A) the types of jobs the students participated in; (B) the average hours worked per week; (C) the average award amount; (D) the average wage rates; (E) the extent to which students enter employment with skills and knowledge gained from work-study participation that have prepared them for the job; and (F) the students’ satisfaction with the program and primary complaints; (3) the extent to which institutions conduct outreach to employers and engage them in discussions on improving academic programs; (4) the extent to which institutions conduct outreach to students and make jobs readily available; (5) the extent to which the work-study employment aligns with students’ academic programs or career goals; (6) the employers’ satisfaction with the program and primary complaints; and (7) recommendations for improving the program. (d) Consultation (1) In general In consulting with the entities described in subsection (a) to create the electronic surveys required under that subsection, the Secretary shall engage with— (A) a representative sample of institutions of higher education participating in the Federal work-study program; (B) a representative sample of employers participating in the Federal work-study program; and (C) a representative sample of students participating in the Federal work-study program. (2) Response rate The Secretary shall— (A) consult with a survey consultant to develop a target response rate with respect to the electronic surveys required under subsection (a); and (B) provide guidance to institution with respect to the developed target response rate. (e) Technical assistance The Secretary shall— (1) provide technical assistance to institutions participating under the Federal work-study program under this part to— (A) comply with the amendments made by the Opportunities for Success Act of 2025 and the regulations issued pursuant to those amendments; (B) administer the surveys described in subsection (a) to students and employers participating in the Federal work-study program; and (C) ensure that Federal work-study positions align with students’ educational goals or career goals to the maximum extent practicable; and (2) issue guidance and provide technical assistance to institutions to support improved partnerships and coordination among financial aid, career services, and academic advisors to administer the Federal work-study program. (f) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated $2,000,000 to carry out subsections (a), (b), and (c)..