Education (Higher Education)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.