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H.R. 926House115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

ASPIRE Act

Sponsored by Darren SotoRep. Darren Soto (D-FL)
Introduced February 7, 2017

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 12:33 PM UTC

The American Science Principal and Interest Reduction and Employment (ASPIRE) Act would change the Higher Education Act so that the federal government forgives a quarter of the principal on certain student loans for people who earn an undergraduate degree or certificate in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field. The loan forgiveness would apply to the borrower themselves or to a dependent student on whose behalf the loan was taken.

Key Provisions

  • The Secretary of Education must set up a program that cancels 25% of the outstanding principal on eligible Federal Direct Loans (Stafford, PLUS, Unsubsidized, or Consolidation loans) after the borrower or the dependent student graduates from an undergraduate STEM program.
  • Eligibility is limited to loans used for attendance at an undergraduate STEM program that leads to a degree or certificate.
  • The cancellation applies only to the principal balance at the time of forgiveness; it does not provide any refund of money already paid.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Education and Workforce Committee

February 7, 2017

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

February 7, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1058)

February 7, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Education and Workforce Committee

February 7, 2017

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about H.R. 926 on the floor

1 Democrat
Darren Soto
Rep. Darren SotoD-FL-9 · Feb 7, 2017

Mr. Speaker, here in America, we are changing the world with our ingenuity and technological advances. It is our creative and innovative spirit that allows us to continue to be a leader in the world…

Record

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued February 7, 2017

I

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 926

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 7, 2017

Mr. Soto introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

A BILL

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to reduce the principal amount on loans made to STEM majors.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the American Science Principal and Interest Reduction and Employment Act or the ASPIRE Act.

2.

Loan cancellation for STEM majors

Part D of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087a et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

460A.

Loan cancellation for STEM majors

(a)

Program authorized

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall carry out a program of canceling the obligation to repay 25 percent of the outstanding balance of principal due, in accordance with paragraph (2), on any eligible Federal Direct Loan made to a borrower who receives such loan—

(A)

for attendance at an undergraduate STEM program; or

(B)

on behalf of a dependent student for such student to attend an undergraduate STEM program.

(2)

Loan cancellation amount

As soon as practicable after the borrower or the borrower’s dependent student graduates with an undergraduate degree or certificate from the program described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall cancel the obligation to repay 25 percent of the balance of principal due as of the time of such cancellation, on the eligible Federal Direct Loans made to the borrower.

(b)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Eligible Federal direct loan

The term eligible Federal Direct Loan means a Federal Direct Stafford Loan, Federal Direct PLUS Loan, or Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, or a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan.

(2)

Undergraduate STEM program of study

The term undergraduate STEM program of study means a program of study related to science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, at an institution of higher education that leads to an undergraduate degree or certificate.

(c)

Construction

Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize any refunding of any canceled loan.

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