Contact Congress about S. 801: Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act

Future students would get one main federal loan with set limits and fixed payback times. New loans would not qualify for federal loan forgiveness. States could approve more kinds of programs for federal aid, and schools would face more public reporting and loan-payment penalties.

Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act is a Senate bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Latest action on S. 801: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects future students who use federal loans, colleges and training programs that receive federal aid, and states that want more control over program approval. It also affects families comparing programs because schools would have to post more data about costs, debt, completion, jobs, and earnings.

Why this matters: This bill would change the deal for students who borrow federal money for education. It could make loan rules easier to understand, but it would also remove forgiveness options for future loans. It could open federal aid to more job-focused programs through state approval systems. At the same time, it would put more pressure on schools whose students struggle to repay loans.

Key provisions in S. 801

• Most current federal Direct Loans would close to new borrowers after June 30, 2025. No new loans of those older types could be made after September 30, 2028, unless a later law clearly allows it.
• The new simplification loan would set yearly borrowing limits. Students could borrow up to $7,500 as dependent undergraduates, $15,000 as independent undergraduates, and $18,500 as graduate or professional students.
• The new loan would also set lifetime borrowing limits. The caps would be $30,000 for dependent undergraduates, $60,000 for independent undergraduates, and $74,000 for graduate or professional students.
• Interest rates would change each year based on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note, which is a common government borrowing rate. Rates could not go above 8.25% for undergraduates or 9.5% for graduate and professional borrowers.
• Borrowers would have fixed payback periods. Undergraduate borrowers would get 15 years, while graduate and professional borrowers would get 25 years. Payments would start after 125% of the normal program length or six months after leaving school.

How Modern Action helps you take action on S. 801

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about S. 801

What is S. 801?

Future students would get one main federal loan with set limits and fixed payback times. New loans would not qualify for federal loan forgiveness. States could approve more kinds of programs for federal aid, and schools would face more public reporting and loan-payment penalties.

How do I support or oppose S. 801?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about S. 801?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

Can Modern Action explain S. 801 before I act?

Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.