Education (Higher Education)

in committee · United States · House Oct 28, 2025

HR 5850: GRAD Act

The GRAD Act (HR 5850) prevents colleges from changing or ending a student's enrollment status if federal financial aid under Title IV is delayed due to a government shutdown. It directly affects students receiving federal aid and the institutions that award it. The bill amends the Higher Education Act to require schools to maintain enrollment status during disruptions caused by lapses in government funding. This ensures students aren’t penalized for aid delays beyond their control during shutdowns.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrevents penalizing students during federal aid delays due to shutdowns, protecting enrollment stability under Title IV funding in higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · Senate Aug 5, 2026

S 3589: RISE Act

The RISE Act amends the Higher Education Act to improve support for college students with disabilities. It requires institutions to accept multiple forms of documentation (like high school IEPs or 504 plans) to verify disability status and mandates transparent, accessible processes for determining accommodation eligibility. Colleges must also report specific disability-related data to federal databases, including the number of students receiving accommodations and degree completions. Additionally, the bill authorizes $10 million annually (2027-2031) for a national center providing technical support to students with disabilities, without altering existing ADA definitions or rights.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires colleges to accept multiple disability documentation forms, mandate transparent accommodation processes, and report disability data to improve educational access for students with disabilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Special Education Tags People with Disabilities

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in committee · United States · Senate May 22, 2025

S 1895: Mental Health Excellence in Schools Act

S 1895, the Mental Health Excellence in Schools Act, creates a federal program to expand school-based mental health services by subsidizing graduate education costs for future school psychologists, counselors, and social workers. It authorizes $20-50 million annually (2026-2030) to cover up to 50% of tuition for students in accredited school-based mental health programs, requiring participating universities to match these funds. The program prioritizes students who received Federal Pell Grants or attended designated institutions under the Higher Education Act. Participating schools must report annually on student demographics, program coverage, and outcomes, with independent evaluations required after four years to assess effectiveness.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationSubsidizes tuition for school mental health professionals, funds school-based services, and prioritizes Pell recipients - directly advancing student mental health support in schools.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill funds graduate education for school mental health professionals, expanding access to services in schools, directly supporting mental health care within healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · United States · House Mar 10, 2025

HR 2021: American Teacher Act

American Teacher Act This bill establishes grants to increase the minimum salary of public elementary and secondary school teachers. It also authorizes a national campaign regarding the value of the teaching profession. First, the bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to award four-year grants to state educational agencies (SEAs) and, through them, subgrants to local educational agencies to establish a minimum annual salary of $60,000 (to be adjusted annually for inflation) for these teachers. Second, the bill directs ED to award grants to eligible SEAs to provide cost-of-living adjustments to the annual base salary of teachers. Finally, the bill authorizes ED to carry out a national campaign to (1) increase awareness about the importance of teachers and the value of the teaching profession, (2) encourage secondary school and college students to consider teaching as a professional career, and (3) diversify the pool of individuals who enter the teaching profession.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes federal grants to raise teacher salaries to $60k+ (adjusted for inflation) and funds a national campaign valuing teaching, directly advancing educator compensation and profession support.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes grants to increase teacher minimum salaries to $60,000, directly strengthening wages and employment standards for educators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Teachers

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in committee · United States · House Aug 12, 2025

HR 4965: Counseling for Career Choice Act

HR 4965, the Counseling for Career Choice Act, requires schools to strengthen career guidance programs for students. It directly affects K-12 school counselors and students by mandating specific components, including identifying local job market trends with workforce agencies, providing financial aid awareness, and developing personalized career plans. Key provisions require schools to create systems for counselors to access workforce data, offer professional development, and connect students to apprenticeships, internships, dual enrollment, and job training programs. The law also encourages using technology like AI tools to support career counseling and evaluate student outcomes. This focuses on preparing students for college and careers through structured, data-informed school counseling services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates strengthened career guidance programs in K-12 schools, requiring personalized plans, workforce data access, and counselor development to enhance student career preparation and support services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Student Health

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 1, 2025

S 1220: Savings Opportunity and Affordable Repayment Act

The Savings Opportunity and Affordable Repayment Act creates a new income-driven repayment plan for federal student loan borrowers, replacing the current Pay As You Earn and Income Contingent Repayment plans. Under this plan, monthly payments are calculated as 5% of income above 250% of the federal poverty line (with a minimum $0 or $10 payment), and 50% of each payment reduces principal while interest accrues only on unpaid balances. Borrowers qualify for full loan forgiveness after 120 payments (10 years) for undergraduate-only loans or 180 payments (15 years) for other eligible loans. The plan applies to borrowers with eligible federal loans and takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill reduces student loan repayment burdens, expanding access to higher education by making repayment more affordable and enabling loan forgiveness after 120 payments.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 2, 2025

S 1924: Improving Mental Health Access for Students Act

S 1924, the Improving Mental Health Access for Students Act, requires colleges and universities covered by the Higher Education Act to include suicide prevention contact information on student identification cards or their websites. Specifically, it mandates that institutions include the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Crisis Text Line, and their campus mental health center contact details on student IDs (or publish this information online if IDs aren't issued). The bill applies to all affected institutions and takes effect one year after enactment. It directly impacts students by making critical mental health resources more visible and accessible during emergencies. The law focuses on standardizing access to existing support services, not creating new programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates mental health resources on student IDs/websites, enhancing student support services and access in higher education institutions per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates inclusion of suicide crisis resources (988, text line, campus centers) on student IDs/websites, directly improving mental health access for students per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · United States · House Nov 21, 2025

HR 6282: Providing Distance Education for Foreign Institutions Act

This bill modifies the Higher Education Act to allow foreign institutions of higher education to offer distance learning courses that qualify for federal student aid. It sets three key requirements: distance education must not exceed 12.5% of a program, the institution must be evaluated by an outside accreditor, and students must physically attend instruction in the foreign country. The changes apply to foreign institutions seeking to provide hybrid programs where students receive aid under the Higher Education Act. The rules take effect after enactment, with a 3-month implementation period for the first qualifying semester.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education access by enabling foreign institutions to offer federally aided distance courses under strict quality controls, aligning with educational access policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · House Mar 11, 2025

HR 2057: Students Bill of Rights Act of 2025

The Students Bill of Rights Act of 2025 requires public colleges and universities receiving federal student aid funds to adopt clear, neutral policies protecting student organizations. It prohibits denying recognition based on lack of faculty advisors or national affiliations, mandates transparent standards for distributing student activity fees and setting security fees (without considering speech content), and requires accessible appeal processes for denied recognition or funding. Students harmed by violations can sue for damages, and institutions failing to comply risk losing federal funding after court rulings. The bill also demands public reporting of violations and compliance efforts to the Department of Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires transparent policies protecting student orgs at colleges, ensuring fair access to recognition/funding - advances student rights in higher education85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 26, 2025

S 756: Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act

This bill amends the tax code to allow 529 college savings accounts to cover certain postsecondary credentialing costs, such as certifications, licenses, and apprenticeship fees, in addition to traditional tuition. It directly affects individuals using 529 accounts who pursue industry-recognized credentials (like IT certifications, nursing licenses, or registered apprenticeships) instead of degree programs. The key provision expands "qualified higher education expenses" under Section 529(e)(3) to include tuition, testing fees, and required continuing education for recognized credentials listed in state directories or federal systems (like the COOL directory). It defines "recognized" credentials based on industry standards, federal programs, or state approval. This change enables 529 account holders to use tax-advantaged savings for workforce training beyond traditional degree paths.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax-advantaged 529 use for workforce credentials, providing tax relief for middle-income earners seeking certifications/licenses.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands 529 account coverage to include industry credentials, increasing access to non-degree workforce training and supporting higher education affordability.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands 529 coverage for IT certifications and tech credentials, directly funding tech workforce development through tax-advantaged savings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Career & Technical Education Higher Education

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