Education (Student Financial Aid)

in committee · United States · House May 13, 2025

HR 3345: Sovereign States Education Restoration Act

The Sovereign States Education Restoration Act would abolish the U.S. Department of Education and transfer its programs to other federal agencies, including moving student loans (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) to the Treasury, special education to Health and Human Services, and Indian education to the Interior. It would create block grants for states to fund K-12 and postsecondary education, with funding allocated based on student enrollment in each state. States receiving these grants must submit annual data, pass audits, and comply with federal civil rights laws, enforced by the Justice Department. The bill authorizes funding equivalent to the 2019 Department of Education budget, allocating 50% for state block grants and 20% for oversight.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationAbolishes U.S. Dept of Education, transfers programs to non-education agencies, replaces federal oversight with state block grants - reducing federal education role and funding structure.85% confidence

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

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 27, 2025

S 801: Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act

The Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act (S 801) ends most federal student loans after September 30, 2028, replacing them with a simplified loan program featuring fixed interest rates, capped borrowing limits (e.g., $30,000 total for dependent undergraduate students), and standardized repayment terms (15 years for undergrads, 25 years for graduate students). The bill eliminates most student loan forgiveness options for loans issued on or after July 1, 2025, while requiring colleges to publish detailed transparency data about student outcomes, costs, and financial aid on their websites. It also establishes a penalty for institutions with high student loan default rates and allows states to develop their own accreditation systems for higher education programs, affecting students, colleges, and the broader higher education landscape.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationEliminates student loan forgiveness options and caps borrowing limits, restricting higher education financial access and affordability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 9, 2025

S 1402: Returning Education to Our States Act

The Returning Education to Our States Act would terminate the U.S. Department of Education and transfer its functions to other federal departments, including moving elementary and secondary education block grants to the Department of Health and Human Services, student financial assistance to the Department of Treasury, and career and technical education programs to the Department of Labor. The bill would repeal most of the General Education Provisions Act but preserve FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) protections for student records. Specific programs like Native American education would transfer to the Department of Interior, while special education programs would move to the Department of Health and Human Services. The transfer would occur one year after enactment, fundamentally reorganizing federal education administration by shifting oversight from the Department of Education to other executive branch departments.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationTerminates U.S. Department of Education, repeals most General Education Provisions Act, eliminating federal oversight and funding for education programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · Senate Jan 9, 2025

S 62: America First Act

The America First Act would restrict eligibility for numerous federal benefit programs based on immigration status. It requires verification of citizenship or lawful immigration status for programs including Medicaid, Medicare, Head Start, school meals, WIC, the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, and housing assistance. The bill specifically would deny benefits to individuals who are unlawfully present in the U.S. or who have certain immigration statuses including parolees, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients, DACA recipients, and asylum seekers. These provisions would directly affect millions of immigrants and their families who currently qualify for these programs. The bill would also prohibit use of FEMA assistance for certain non-citizens and limit access to postsecondary financial aid based on immigration status.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRestricts eligibility for federal benefits including tax credits (EITC), reducing government spending on programs like Medicaid and WIC.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts school meal and Head Start access by denying benefits to immigrants, limiting educational access for affected students95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts Medicaid, Medicare, and WIC eligibility for undocumented immigrants, directly limiting access to healthcare benefits and public health programs.95% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingDenies housing assistance to undocumented immigrants and parolees, restricting access to federal housing benefits95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRestricts federal benefits for undocumented and certain immigrant statuses, denying access to Medicaid, housing assistance, and other programs per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Early Childhood Student Financial Aid Student Health Medicaid Medicare Community Development Property Development Citizenship & Naturalization DACA & Dreamers Work Authorization

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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 · Senate Mar 11, 2025

S 937: No Student Loans for Campus Criminals Act

No Student Loans for Campus Criminals Act This bill prohibits an individual who is convicted of any federal or state offense related to the individual's conduct at or during the course of a protest at an institution of higher education from receiving certain federal student loan benefits. Specifically, an individual who is convicted of such an offense shall not be eligible to have any covered loan forgiven, cancelled, waived, or modified under the Higher Education Act of 1965, under any executive order, or through any action taken by the Department of Education.  Covered loans refer to Federal Family Education Loans, Federal Direct Loans, Federal Perkins Loans, and loans under the Health Education Assistance Loan Program. Additionally, an individual who is convicted of such an offense shall not be eligible to receive Federal Direct Loans.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeDenies student loan benefits for protest-related convictions, restricting post-conviction rights and opposing rehabilitation-focused reforms.85% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts federal student loan benefits for protesters at higher ed institutions, limiting educational access for a specific group under the Higher Education Act.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 11, 2025

S 3433: PELL Act

The PELL Act (S 3433) would eliminate federal funding for institutions that receive grants based on the racial or ethnic composition of their student bodies, including Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The bill amends the Higher Education Act to require institutions receiving federal funds to serve a substantial number of students receiving Federal Pell Grants and to prohibit racial discrimination in admissions or hiring, including through racial quotas. It redirects funds from Minority-Serving Institution programs toward increasing the Federal Pell Grant program, which provides need-based financial aid for college students regardless of race. The legislation would require federal agencies to identify and eliminate all provisions that allocate funds based on racial or ethnic criteria for institutions. This bill directly affects federal grant programs and institutions currently receiving funding based on racial or ethnic composition of their student bodies.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationDefunds HBCUs/HSIs by eliminating federal grants tied to racial composition, restricting access for minority students who rely on these institutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · House Jan 31, 2025

HR 899: To terminate the Department of Education.

HR 899 would end the U.S. Department of Education by December 31, 2026, terminating its federal agency status. This bill directly affects all federal education programs and operations currently managed by the Department, such as student aid and school funding. The key mechanism is a fixed termination date, requiring the transfer of the Department's responsibilities to other federal agencies without specifying new administrative structures. The bill focuses solely on ending the agency's existence, not altering education policy or funding mechanisms.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationTerminates U.S. Department of Education, ending federal education programs and funding mechanisms per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Funding Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 16, 2025

S 3507: Put American Students First Act

This bill enforces a federal law prohibiting states from offering in-state tuition rates to undocumented immigrants at public colleges. It requires colleges to verify students' immigration status using the DHS SAVE system annually and charge undocumented students the higher out-of-state rate instead. States that continue providing in-state tuition to undocumented students could lose federal education funding. The bill directly affects undocumented immigrant students in public colleges across 22 states and D.C., as well as the states and institutions currently offering these subsidies.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts undocumented students' access to in-state tuition at public colleges, requiring higher out-of-state rates and threatening federal education funding for non-compliant states.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRestricts in-state tuition access for undocumented students, mandating higher out-of-state rates and potential loss of federal funds for non-compliant states.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid DACA & Dreamers Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement

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in committee · United States · Senate Jan 29, 2025

S 308: Graduate Opportunity and Affordable Loans Act

S 308, the Graduate Opportunity and Affordable Loans Act, changes federal student loan limits for graduate and professional students starting July 1, 2025. It sets new annual limits of $20,500 for regular graduate students and $40,500 for professional students (like those in medical or law programs), with lifetime aggregate limits of $65,000 and $130,000 respectively (excluding undergraduate debt). The bill also phases out eligibility for Federal Direct PLUS Loans for graduate and professional students after June 30, 2025, requiring schools to notify students of this change. These changes directly affect students pursuing master's, doctoral, or professional degree programs enrolled in postbaccalaureate education.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationPhases out PLUS loans for grad students, restricting loan access and capping borrowing limits for higher education financing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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