H.R. 3414: Responsible Borrowing Act of 2023

This bill authorizes institutions of higher education (IHEs) to prorate or limit the amount of a Federal Direct Loan that an enrolled student may borrow for an academic year or in the aggregate.

The bill specifies the factors that an IHE may use to limit these loans. These factors include the average or median starting salary for typical occupations pursued by graduates of the program (or the median earnings of students who complete such program), the enrollment status of the student (i.e., full- or part-time enrollment), the credential level of the program (e.g., degree or certificate), and the year of the program for which the student is seeking the loan.

Upon request of a student whose loan has been prorated or limited, an IHE may increase the amount of the loan within otherwise applicable limits at the discretion of the IHE's financial aid administrator.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.