Education (Student Financial Aid)

in committee · United States · Senate Dec 9, 2025

S 3406: PATHS to Tutor Act of 2025

The PATHS to Tutor Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program to fund high-quality tutoring in high-need schools, directly affecting students in schools with high teacher turnover or many novice teachers. It requires local consortia (combining schools, universities, and community partners) to apply for competitive grants, mandating tutoring that uses a 1:4 tutor-to-student ratio, aligns with school curriculum, includes tutor training, and avoids replacing teachers. Grant funds must cover tutor stipends, materials, transportation, and meals for students (with 85% allocated directly to student support), while prohibiting the use of funds to supplant existing teaching staff. Priority is given to consortia using tutors from educator preparation programs or minority-serving institutions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes federal grants for tutoring in high-need schools with curriculum-aligned programs, directly funding educational support without replacing teachers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries Student Financial Aid Teachers

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in committee · United States · Senate Sep 3, 2025

S 2700: DECIDE Act

S 2700, the DECIDE Act, requires the U.S. Department of Education to expand the College Scorecard with specific, annual data to improve transparency for student loan borrowers. It mandates program-level details like median 10-year earnings for graduates, median debt amounts (including Stafford, Graduate PLUS, and Parent PLUS loans), default rates, and repayment rates for each certificate, degree, and professional program. Institution-level data will include cohort default rates, repayment rates, and specific PLUS loan default/repayment metrics. This directly affects prospective and current students making education decisions by providing concrete financial outcomes data for comparison. The law aims to give borrowers clear, standardized information about long-term costs and outcomes tied to specific academic programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands transparency in college data for borrowers, enhancing educational access and informed decision-making through detailed program/earnings metrics.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · House Mar 28, 2025

HR 1271: To provide additional funding for scholarships for students at 1890 institutions, and for other purposes.

HR 1271 increases funding for scholarships at 1890 institutions - historically Black colleges and universities established under the Second Morrill Act - by adding mandatory annual support. It amends existing law to explicitly include bachelor's and graduate programs in scholarship eligibility and requires $15 million annually from the Commodity Credit Corporation starting in fiscal year 2025, to remain available until spent. This funding directly supports students at these institutions by expanding access to financial aid for higher education. The bill updates previous funding language to ensure ongoing support beyond 2023.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $15M annually from Commodity Credit Corp for 1890 institution scholarships, increasing government spending on education programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases mandatory annual funding ($15M) for scholarships at 1890 institutions, expanding eligibility to bachelor's/graduate programs, directly advancing educational access and funding for higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · Senate Jan 29, 2025

S 311: ACE Act

The ACE Act expands 529 education savings accounts to cover elementary and secondary school expenses, including homeschooling, tutoring, educational therapies, and materials, for families enrolled in public, private, or religious schools. It increases the annual distribution limit from $10,000 to $20,000 for K-12 expenses and adds a $20,000 annual gift tax exclusion for contributions to these accounts. The bill also requires states with tax-exempt bonds for education to have school choice programs (like vouchers or scholarships) that meet specific eligibility and funding criteria. These provisions directly affect families using 529 plans for K-12 education and states administering education funding. The changes apply to distributions and gifts after 2026, with bond restrictions taking effect upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdds $20k annual gift tax exclusion for education savings, providing tax relief for families through expanded tax-advantaged accounts.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands K-12 education access via increased 529 limits ($10k→$20k) and school choice options, directly strengthening funding mechanisms for families.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · House Feb 12, 2026

HR 7536: GRADUATE Act

The GRADUATE Act (HR 7536) amends tax law to expand the deduction for qualified education loan payments. It allows individuals to deduct up to $10,000 annually (plus $500 per dependent) for interest paid on such loans, increasing the previous limit. The deduction phases out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income above $125,000 ($250,000 for joint filers), with the new thresholds applying to taxable years after 2025. This directly affects individual taxpayers with education debt who itemize deductions, reducing their taxable income but not forgiving loan balances. The bill modifies existing tax code sections without creating new government programs or altering loan repayment terms.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax deduction for education loan interest, providing relief to middle-income taxpayers with student debt per tax law amendment.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tax deduction for education loan interest, reducing debt burden for borrowers and improving higher education affordability/access, aligning with education access indicators.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · Senate Sep 4, 2025

S 2707: FEED Act of 2025

The FEED Act of 2025 amends the Food and Nutrition Act to exclude certain income earned by students under 21 participating in career and technical education (CTE) programs from household income calculations for food assistance programs like SNAP. It specifically exempts income from apprenticeships, internships, or work-based learning programs directly tied to their CTE enrollment, provided the student lives with a parent or under parental control. Households must verify the student’s enrollment in a qualifying CTE program and their age/relationship through documentation. This change directly affects low-income students in CTE programs who earn work-based income, making it easier for them to qualify for food assistance without losing benefits due to that income.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts CTE student income from SNAP calculations, removing financial barriers to career education participation and enabling continued enrollment in educational programs.92% confidence

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

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in committee · United States · House May 8, 2025

HR 3273: Child Care Workforce Development Act

HR 3273, the Child Care Workforce Development Act, provides financial support to early childhood educators and students. It establishes a loan repayment program where educators serving 5 years with qualified childcare providers (like centers receiving Child Care Block Grant funds) can have up to $6,000 annually of their student loans repaid. Additionally, it creates grants of up to $4,000 per academic year for students enrolled in early childhood education programs, requiring them to work in licensed childcare settings for at least one year after graduation (with renewal options). The bill authorizes $25 million annually for loan repayment (2026-2031) and $10 million annually for grants (2026-2030), targeting workforce development in childcare.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides loan repayment for early childhood educators and grants for students in early childhood education programs, directly funding workforce development in education.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides loan repayment for childcare educators and grants for students, directly funding workforce development in labor sector per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Early Childhood Student Financial Aid Workforce Development

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in committee · United States · Senate Nov 20, 2025

S 3277: Strengthening Loan Forgiveness for Public Service Workers Act

This bill expands public service loan forgiveness for borrowers with federal student loans made after its enactment. It provides incremental forgiveness: 15% after 24 payments (2 years), an additional 15% after 48 payments (4 years), another 15% after 72 payments (6 years), and a final 15% after 96 payments (8 years), totaling 60% forgiven by year 8. After 120 payments (10 years) while working in public service, the entire remaining loan balance is canceled, with automatic deferment during processing. Borrowers must maintain public service employment and provide simplified employment certification via an automated system or basic form. It directly affects public service workers (e.g., teachers, firefighters, government employees) with qualifying federal student loans.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands loan forgiveness for public service workers (including educators), reducing debt burden and supporting workforce access to education careers.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands loan forgiveness benefits for public service workers, directly enhancing financial support for this labor group per the bill's purpose.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Professional Licensing

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 3, 2025

S 377: Students Helping Young Students Act of 2025

This bill amends the Higher Education Act to expand the Federal Work-Study program, allowing colleges to use funds for student-led after-school programs at public K-12 schools. It directly affects colleges participating in the work-study program and public elementary/secondary schools that partner with them. Key provisions require colleges to prioritize schools in low-income communities, cover student compensation (including training/travel) for these after-school activities, and allow federal funding to exceed 75% of costs. The Secretary must establish a registration process for schools within 180 days of enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands Federal Work-Study to fund student-led after-school programs in K-12 schools, prioritizing low-income communities to increase educational access and support school programs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands work-study funding to pay student workers in after-school programs, directly supporting student employment opportunities through federal compensation coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Student Health Child Labor

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in committee · United States · House May 8, 2025

HR 3308: RETAIN Act

The RETAIN Act creates a refundable tax credit for early childhood educators, teachers, school leaders, and mental health providers working in high-need schools or early childhood programs. The credit pays $5,800 to $11,600 annually based on continuous years of service (e.g., $5,800 for years 1-2, $11,600 for year 10), increasing with experience to address low pay and retention challenges. It directly affects educators in public elementary/secondary schools serving high-poverty communities and early childhood programs meeting specific quality standards. The credit supplements existing pay but cannot reduce state/local compensation or loan forgiveness programs for eligible workers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides refundable tax credit ($5,800-$11,600) to educators/mental health workers in high-need schools, offering tax relief to middle-income public service workers while funding retention programs.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides refundable tax credits ($5,800-$11,600) for educators in high-need schools to address low pay and retention challenges, directly supporting teachers and schools serving high-poverty communities.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirectly provides tax credits to mental health providers in high-need schools, improving retention and access to mental health services per bill's explicit focus on mental health providers.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides refundable tax credit ($5,800-$11,600 annually) to address low pay and retention for educators in high-need schools, directly strengthening wages and workforce stability.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Early Childhood Student Financial Aid Teachers Mental Health

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