Education (Higher Education)

in committee · United States · House May 4, 2026

HR 8657: Campus Lifeline Act of 2026

The Campus Lifeline Act of 2026 amends federal health laws to expand mental health support for students and youth. It directs support for student groups on college campuses, such as athletic teams and mental health clubs, to educate peers and intervene when warning signs of mental health or substance use disorders appear. The legislation also requires states and institutions of higher education to list the 988 suicide prevention hotline on newly issued identification cards. Furthermore, it mandates that federal agencies coordinate with the Department of Education and Transportation to create public awareness plans for the 988 hotline.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands mental health support and suicide prevention resources for students in higher education, enhancing student welfare and access to critical services.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands mental health support for students, funds peer intervention groups, and mandates inclusion of the suicide prevention hotline on ID cards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · United States · Senate May 14, 2026

S 4528: IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act

The IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act establishes a competitive grant program administered by the Department of Education to provide long-term funding for infrastructure improvements at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. These grants are intended to support projects such as modernizing campus facilities, upgrading technology and broadband systems, enhancing safety measures, and acquiring research equipment, with a specific focus on addressing deferred maintenance and health risks. Priority for funding is given to institutions that demonstrate the greatest need due to facility conditions or financial limitations, as well as those serving high percentages of low-income students. The legislation also includes requirements for recipients to submit detailed plans, engage in community partnerships, and use a portion of funds for administrative costs, while prohibiting the use of money for routine maintenance or athletic facilities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes competitive grants to fund infrastructure improvements and modernize facilities at HBCUs, directly advancing educational access and resources.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill funds infrastructure upgrades and broadband systems at HBCUs, directly advancing technology access and modernization.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Broadband Access

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in committee · United States · House Apr 21, 2026

HR 8420: Veterans Legal Support Act of 2026

The Veterans Legal Support Act of 2026 authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide funding to university law school programs that offer legal assistance to veterans. This funding, totaling $10,000,000 annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031, supports legal clinics that help veterans with VA appeals, fiduciary appointments, benefits claims, and other civil, criminal, and family legal matters. The bill does not mandate specific outcomes but establishes a financial mechanism for law schools to expand their veteran legal services. It directly affects veterans seeking legal help and university law schools that operate such programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly authorizes $10M in annual funding for VA legal support programs, directly advancing the budget topic by increasing appropriations for essential services.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides funding for legal clinics assisting veterans with civil, criminal, and family matters, enhancing access to justice and legal support.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides $10M annually to fund university law school programs, directly increasing educational resources and access for students.75% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill authorizes funding for legal clinics to assist veterans with appeals, benefits, and civil matters.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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in committee · United States · House Apr 22, 2026

HR 8445: Stop DEI Act

The Stop DEI Act proposes to prohibit federal funding for institutions of higher education. Specifically, it states that colleges and universities would be ineligible for funds from federal education programs. This ineligibility would occur if an institution considers an individual's race, sex, ethnicity, color, or national origin in ways that violate existing civil rights laws. The bill's aim is to prevent federal funds from being used by institutions whose practices related to these characteristics are deemed to be in violation of those laws.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill prohibits federal funding for higher education institutions based on DEI practices, directly restricting educational funding and limiting institutional programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · United States · House Apr 23, 2026

HRES 1209: Recognizing the significance of "Community College Month" in April as a celebration of more than 1,000 institutions throughout the United States supporting access to higher education, workforce training, and more, broadly sustaining and advancing the Nation's economic prosperity.

This resolution designates April as "Community College Month" to recognize the significance of community colleges across the United States. It celebrates over 1,000 institutions for their role in providing accessible higher education and workforce training, and for contributing to the nation's economic prosperity.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill designates Community College Month to recognize and celebrate community colleges for providing accessible higher education and workforce training, supporting educational access and economic prosperity.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · United States · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 8246: OHH SNAP Act of 2026

This bill, known as the OHH SNAP Act of 2026, would expand eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to include more college students. It directly affects students who are working while attending college or have no financial aid available. The key changes allow students with zero financial aid and those classified as independent to qualify for SNAP benefits, while also broadening the definition of eligible work activities to include attending school. These provisions would take effect 180 days after the bill is signed into law, but would not apply to certification periods that began before that date.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands SNAP eligibility to college students, improving financial access and reducing barriers to higher education participation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 24, 2026

S 4177: Student Athlete Act of 2026

This bill establishes federal rules for college student athletes, primarily affecting institutions of higher education and the National Collegiate Athletic Association. It guarantees that student athletes have five consecutive years of eligibility to compete in intercollegiate sports, regardless of injuries or other circumstances. The legislation also sets new transfer portal regulations, requiring athletes to sit out one academic year after transferring except for their first transfer, and mandates that schools honor financial aid commitments when students move to new institutions. Additionally, the bill prevents states from passing laws that conflict with these federal provisions or restrict student athlete rights under the new rules.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects student athletes' eligibility and transfer rights, supporting higher education access and student welfare in college sports programs.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · House Mar 19, 2026

HR 8009: Student Protection and Success Act

This bill would require colleges to demonstrate that at least 15% of their student loan borrowers successfully reduce their loan principal within two years of entering repayment, or risk losing eligibility for federal student loan programs starting in fiscal year 2028. It also creates a new bonus grant program for institutions with repayment rates above 25% and requires colleges to pay fees based on the amount of loans their students fail to repay. The legislation defines repayment success as borrowers who are not in default and have made at least a one-dollar reduction in their principal balance, while excluding students in deferment for military service, graduate school, or public service.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill aims to improve student loan repayment outcomes and create incentives for institutions to support successful student financial outcomes, indirectly supporting educational access and success.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 26, 2026

S 4269: Restoring College Access and Affordability Act

This bill, the Restoring College Access and Affordability Act, primarily reverses several changes made to federal student loan and grant programs in previous legislation. It restores previous loan limits, repayment terms, and deferment options that were altered by prior laws, affecting current and future student borrowers. The bill also modifies eligibility rules for Pell Grants and adjusts criteria for determining which educational programs can be deemed low-earning, specifically including programs that award associate's degrees and certificates. Additionally, it delays certain federal regulations related to borrower defense claims and closed school discharges, while reducing the excise tax on private college endowment income to 1.4 percent.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill restores federal student loan limits and Pell Grant eligibility, increasing access to higher education funding and supporting educational budget programs.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill restores college access and affordability by reversing restrictions on student loans and grants, expanding educational access and financial support for higher education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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passed · United States · House May 8, 2025

HR 881: DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act

HR 881, the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act, restricts Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding for colleges and universities that maintain relationships with China-funded Confucius Institutes or specific Chinese entities deemed "of concern." It prohibits DHS funding for institutions with ties to Confucius Institutes, the Thousand Talents Program, or Chinese universities involved in military-civil fusion, defense work, Uyghur persecution, election interference, or other activities listed in the bill. Institutions must terminate such relationships within one year of enactment to regain eligibility for DHS funds. The bill requires the DHS Secretary to report to Congress on any institutions violating this funding restriction. (3 sentences)

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts DHS funding for institutions with Confucius Institute ties, limiting educational access and resources for affected colleges and universities85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts DHS funding for institutions with ties to Chinese tech entities, limiting access to educational technology resources and potentially reducing cybersecurity collaboration with international partners.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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