Education (Higher Education)

in committee · United States · House Jan 15, 2026

HR 7117: Fast Track To and Through College Act

HR 7117, the Fast Track To and Through College Act, creates two pathways to accelerate college completion: "early college fast track pathways" that allow high school students to earn college credit through advanced coursework (like AP, IB, or dual enrollment), and "early high school graduation fast track pathways" that provide scholarships for students who graduate early without needing remedial college courses. The bill requires states to develop statewide policies and credit transfer agreements to align high school and college requirements, with competitive grants to help states implement these pathways. It also allows eligible high school students in these pathways to receive Federal Pell Grants while still in high school, with a waiver of the usual 12-semester Pell Grant cap. The bill aims to reduce college costs, improve credit transfer, and increase college completion rates, particularly for first-generation college students and other historically underrepresented groups.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates early college credit pathways and scholarships to accelerate college completion, expanding access and reducing remedial coursework requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · Senate May 1, 2025

S 1558: Understanding the True Cost of College Act of 2025

This bill would require colleges and universities receiving federal financial aid to provide standardized financial aid offers using a new Department of Education-developed form. The form must clearly present costs of attendance (both direct and indirect), grants and scholarships (with disclosure they don't need repayment), net price, and loan terms including interest rates and repayment options. It would require institutions to disclose key information like the impact of private loans versus federal loans, default rates, and work-study opportunities in plain language. The bill affects all institutions of higher education that receive federal financial assistance, with the form to be developed through consumer testing with students and stakeholders.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates transparent financial aid disclosures to improve student access and reduce confusion about college costs, aligning with educational access indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 26, 2025

S 740: Affordable College Textbook Act

The Affordable College Textbook Act (S 740) establishes a federal grant program to help colleges and universities adopt open educational resources (OER), primarily open textbooks, to reduce student costs. It authorizes the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to institutions or consortia for creating, adapting, or promoting OER, requiring projects to include faculty input, accessibility standards, and plans for tracking savings and educational impact. The bill also amends the Higher Education Act to mandate that colleges disclose textbook prices and OER availability on course schedules, and requires publishers to share data collection practices for digital materials. These provisions directly affect students (by lowering textbook costs), faculty (through OER adoption requirements), and institutions (via reporting obligations). The law focuses on creating sustainable, accessible alternatives to traditional textbooks rather than direct price controls.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFederal grants fund OER adoption to reduce student costs, directly enhancing higher education access and affordability through institutional support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education

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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 Dec 18, 2025

HR 6865: American Dream Protection Act of 2025

HR 6865, the American Dream Protection Act of 2025, would condition federal higher education funding on states and public colleges complying with federal immigration law regarding tuition rates for undocumented immigrants. It prohibits public institutions from receiving federal funds if they charge undocumented immigrants tuition equal to or lower than in-state citizens, and prevents states from receiving funds if they allow such tuition rates. The bill amends existing law to withhold federal financial assistance (like grants or student aid funds) from institutions or states that provide lower tuition rates or state aid to undocumented immigrants compared to citizens. This directly affects public colleges and state education systems in jurisdictions that currently offer in-state tuition benefits to undocumented residents. The law would take effect for the fiscal year following a determination by the Secretary of Education that an institution or state is non-compliant.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts higher education access for undocumented immigrants by mandating higher tuition rates, limiting federal funding eligibility for institutions offering lower rates to this group.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRestricts undocumented immigrants' access to lower tuition rates at public colleges by withholding federal funds for non-compliance with federal immigration law on tuition rates.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid DACA & Dreamers Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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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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