Education (Higher Education)

This bill requires U.S. universities seeking federal research funding to certify that they do not operate permanent branch campuses in specific countries, including China, Russia, Iran, and others. The legislation defines a branch campus as a separate location that offers degree programs and has its own faculty and administrative control. If a university operates such a campus in a listed nation, it would be ineligible to receive federal research awards. The list of restricted countries also allows the Secretary of State to add additional nations as appropriate.

The Saving Lives on Campuses Act of 2026 requires public colleges and universities receiving federal funding to provide opioid overdose rescue kits across their campuses. These kits, which contain naloxone or similar FDA-approved medications, must be placed in classrooms, libraries, dormitories, and other student facilities, often near automated external defibrillators. Institutions are also tasked with registering kit locations, replacing expired supplies, and training new students on how to find and use them. The law aims to increase access to life-saving treatment for opioid overdoses by ensuring these medical supplies are readily available in high-traffic campus areas.

The No Antisemitism in Education Act of 2026 requires schools and universities receiving federal funds to treat antisemitism with the same seriousness as other forms of discrimination prohibited by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Under this law, institutions must use the official definition of antisemitism found in a prior presidential executive order to investigate complaints and enforce their own policies. The bill explicitly states that these requirements do not violate free speech rights or override existing state laws, ensuring that Jewish students and staff are protected from harassment and exclusion on campus.

The Time for Completion Act requires colleges to publicly report how many students finish their degree programs within specific timeframes, such as the normal duration, 150 percent, 200 percent, and 300 percent of the expected length. This reporting applies to both short and long programs and must be broken down by student type, including whether they are first-time or returning students and whether they attend full-time or part-time. The law also updates federal financial aid regulations to ensure these completion rates are included in institutional data used for determining eligibility and funding. By mandating consistent and visible display of these statistics, the bill aims to provide prospective students and families with clearer information about graduation timelines at higher education institutions.

The IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act authorizes federal grants to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to fund long-term improvements to their campus facilities and infrastructure. These grants are awarded competitively to eligible HBCUs based on criteria such as the age of their facilities, deferred maintenance needs, financial capacity, and student enrollment levels. Recipients may use the funds to construct or renovate buildings, upgrade technology and broadband systems, improve safety measures, and develop workforce training hubs, while being prohibited from using the money for routine maintenance or athletic facilities. The legislation also includes provisions for reporting on project outcomes and requires institutions to create comprehensive master plans that involve consultation with diverse campus and community stakeholders.

This legislation requires institutions of higher education applying for federal research and development awards to certify they do not operate branch campuses in specific foreign countries. Federal research agencies must include this certification requirement in their application process. The bill lists prohibited nations including Venezuela, North Korea, Iran, China, Cuba, Turkey, Russia, and Qatar, with the option for the Secretary of State to add others. A branch campus is defined as a permanent, geographically separate unit that offers degree programs and maintains its own faculty and budget.

This resolution formally recognizes National Charter Schools Week, which will be observed from May 10 through May 16, 2026. It highlights the role of public charter schools as tuition-free public education options that offer families diverse and innovative choices for their children. The document acknowledges the growth of these schools and their stated goals of promoting academic excellence, accountability, and community responsiveness. By passing this measure, the House of Representatives expresses support for the charter school sector and encourages communities to hold events celebrating these institutions during the designated week.

The Student Aid Fraud Oversight and Accountability Act of 2026 requires colleges to report any student whose financial aid application raised reasonable suspicion of identity fraud after October 1, 2026. These reports will be used to help the Department of Education prioritize program reviews and audits for institutions with higher numbers of flagged cases. The bill allows schools to avoid reporting a student if they can prove they verified the student's identity through in-person or live video checks before disbursing funds. Importantly, identifying a school in this way does not automatically mean the institution has failed to meet legal requirements.

Savings Opportunity and Affordable Repayment Act This bill creates a new income-driven repayment plan for student loans called the Savings Opportunity and Affordable Repayment (SOAR) plan. The SOAR plan has similar provisions to, but further expands on, the Department of Education's (ED's) final rule published on July 10, 2023, that created the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan. The SAVE plan was blocked by federal courts. The bill directs ED to carry out a SOAR plan program that complies with specified requirements. The bill allows all federal student loan types to be eligible for repayment under the SOAR plan, including Parent PLUS Loans and Federal Family Education Loans. Under the SOAR plan, a federal student loan borrower whose income is at or below 250% of the federal poverty level (FPL) has $0 monthly payments. A borrower whose income is over 250% of the FPL pays 5% of their discretionary income on loans obtained for undergraduate study and 10% of their discretionary income for all other outstanding loans (e.g., loans obtained for graduate study). Additionally, under the SOAR plan, holders of eligible federal student loans (e.g., ED or private lenders) must apply 50% of the borrower's monthly payment toward outstanding principal. The other 50% must be applied in the following order: (1) accrued charges and collection costs on the loan, (2) outstanding interest, and (3) outstanding principal. ED must forgive any loan balance that remains outstanding after a specified maximum repayment period (e.g., 10 years or 15 years).

This bill amends the Higher Education Act to allow grants for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to support arts, arts education, and cultural programs. The legislation directly affects HBCUs by enabling them to receive federal funding for specific activities such as establishing outreach offices, providing wraparound student services, and preserving Black art collections. Key provisions also include creating well-paid apprenticeships and internships through partnerships with nonprofit arts institutes and allowing HBCUs to collaborate with the National Endowment for the Arts. By adding these new uses for funds, the bill aims to address historical underfunding and help maintain essential arts departments at these institutions.