Providing Distance Education for Foreign Institutions Act
Sponsored By: Representative Smucker
Introduced
Summary
Would allow U.S. federal student aid for distance-hybrid programs run by foreign colleges. The bill would let otherwise eligible foreign programs qualify for Title IV aid if they meet limits on remote coursework, are vetted for distance delivery, and require students to be physically present in the foreign country during instruction.
Show full summary
- Students at foreign colleges could receive Title IV aid for hybrid programs if no more than 12.5% of the program is offered principally through distance education and students are physically present in the country during that instruction. Courses that require more than 50% regular in-person attendance are not counted as principally distance even if they include online parts.
- Foreign institutions would have to be evaluated by an outside oversight entity, such as an accrediting agency or a government body, to show they can effectively deliver distance education.
- The change would take effect on enactment and apply to the first semester (or equivalent) that begins after that date, but not earlier than 3 months after enactment. The bill also redesignates certain paragraphs in Section 83002(b) of Public Law 119-21.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Some federal aid for foreign distance programs
This bill would let some foreign college programs qualify for U.S. federal student aid. No more than 12.5% of the program could be taught mainly online. Classes that require more than half in-person time would not count toward that 12.5% cap. The foreign school would need an outside review, like by an accreditor or government, showing it can deliver online learning. Students using aid would have to be physically in the school’s country during the online instruction. If enacted, this would start with the first semester after enactment, but not earlier than 3 months later.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Smucker
PA • R
Cosponsors
Schneider
IL • D
Sponsored 11/21/2025
Cherfilus-McCormick
FL • D
Sponsored 4/6/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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