Pilot grant program

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: 449. Work-based learning opportunities pilot grant program (a) Establishment (1) In general The Secretary shall establish a program to provide grants to eligible institutions participating under this part to establish or expand a program to develop work-based learning positions. (2) Limitations (A) Duration A grant awarded under this section shall be for a period of not more than 4 years, but may be renewed by the Secretary for a period of 2 years. (B) Amount A grant under this section may not be in an amount greater than $1,000,000. (b) Application To be considered for a grant under this section an eligible institution participating under this part shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including a plan that describes how the eligible institution will establish or expand a program to develop work-based learning positions that will— (1) benefit students who demonstrate exceptional need (as defined in section 413C(c)(2)); (2) identify in-demand industry sectors and occupations (as defined in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102) and as determined by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, State departments of labor, and local boards (as defined in such section 3)) and develop partnerships with high-demand employers (including nonprofit organizations, joint labor-management organizations, for-profit firms, or public agencies); (3) involve participating employers in evaluating and improving the program; (4) track and report academic and employment outcomes for participating students; and (5) be able to continue after the end of the grant term. (c) Use of funds Institutions receiving grant funds awarded under this program shall use these funds to pay wages for students participating under this program and develop work-based learning positions that— (1) are for a period of at least 12 weeks; (2) serve students who demonstrate exceptional need (as defined in section 413C(c)(2)); (3) limit administrative work to no more than 25 percent of the position; (4) provide a minimum of 15 hours of work per week during periods of enrollment and 30 hours per week during periods of nonenrollment, except that this requirement may be waived by the institution in consultation with a student; (5) include career coaching from participating employers (including mock interviews, resume writing assistance, career exploration, and counseling on applying for and obtaining employment); and (6) provide participating students with opportunities to meet with employers in fields or industries related to those of participating employers. (d) Report On a date that is before the date on which the period of the grant received by an eligible institution under this section terminates, the institution shall submit a report to the Secretary including— (1) the completion rate (as described under section 442(a)(1)(C)) with respect to students participating in work-based learning positions under the pilot program; and (2) the results of the work-based learning opportunities program for which the institution received the grant, including— (A) participating students’ satisfaction with the program as reported in surveys under section 449A; (B) the types of jobs in which participating students were employed and the types of duties performed in those jobs; (C) the academic programs of the participating students; (D) the share of participating students who worked at another job, in addition to the one under the pilot program; (E) the percentage of participating students who, during the second quarter after completing their academic program, are in education or training activities or unsubsidized employment; (F) the percentage of participating students employed in in-demand industry sectors or occupations as described in subsection (b)(2) within 2 quarters of completing their academic programs; and (G) other items as deemed relevant by the Secretary. (e) Reservation of funding for such program From the amount appropriated under section 441(b) for a fiscal year and remaining after the Secretary reserves funds under section 442(a)(1), the Secretary shall reserve $30,000,000 to make grants under this section..