Education (Higher Education)

The IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act authorizes federal grants to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to fund long-term improvements to their campus facilities and infrastructure. These grants are awarded competitively to eligible HBCUs based on criteria such as the age of their facilities, deferred maintenance needs, financial capacity, and student enrollment levels. Recipients may use the funds to construct or renovate buildings, upgrade technology and broadband systems, improve safety measures, and develop workforce training hubs, while being prohibited from using the money for routine maintenance or athletic facilities. The legislation also includes provisions for reporting on project outcomes and requires institutions to create comprehensive master plans that involve consultation with diverse campus and community stakeholders.

This resolution formally recognizes National Charter Schools Week, which will be observed from May 10 through May 16, 2026. It highlights the role of public charter schools as tuition-free public education options that offer families diverse and innovative choices for their children. The document acknowledges the growth of these schools and their stated goals of promoting academic excellence, accountability, and community responsiveness. By passing this measure, the House of Representatives expresses support for the charter school sector and encourages communities to hold events celebrating these institutions during the designated week.

The Student Aid Fraud Oversight and Accountability Act of 2026 requires colleges to report any student whose financial aid application raised reasonable suspicion of identity fraud after October 1, 2026. These reports will be used to help the Department of Education prioritize program reviews and audits for institutions with higher numbers of flagged cases. The bill allows schools to avoid reporting a student if they can prove they verified the student's identity through in-person or live video checks before disbursing funds. Importantly, identifying a school in this way does not automatically mean the institution has failed to meet legal requirements.

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.