The AFTER SCHOOL Act provides federal funding for after-school programs targeting students in grades 6-12 in counties with a juvenile offense rate of at least 10% (based on FBI crime data). It directs the Attorney General to award grants to eligible local schools or nonprofit organizations operating in these high-need counties, requiring programs to offer educational activities during non-school hours in a safe environment. Funding is allocated based on the number of eligible students served, with $15 million authorized annually for fiscal years 2026-2029. Grantees must report program participation and outcomes, and the Attorney General must submit annual summaries to Congress. This bill directly affects students in qualifying counties, schools, and community nonprofits operating after-school programs.
This bill requires colleges to provide prospective federal student loan borrowers with detailed financial counseling before disbursement, including estimates of monthly payments relative to income, total projected debt (including private loans and future costs), and warnings about high debt-to-income ratios. It mandates that students manually confirm their desired loan amount before certification, emphasizing borrowing only what's necessary. During periods when repayment isn't required (e.g., while enrolled or in deferment), lenders must send quarterly statements showing loan balances, interest rates, accumulated interest, and explanations about how unpaid interest capitalizes upon repayment. These provisions directly affect all federal student loan borrowers by increasing transparency about loan terms and long-term financial impact before and during repayment.
Protecting Children with Food Allergies Act of 2025 This bill requires that local school food service personnel receive annual training and certification on food allergies as part of the training provided by the National School Lunch Program of the Department of Agriculture. Under current law, the mandatory training and certification for school food service personnel must include modules on (1) nutrition, and (2) health and food safety standards and methodologies. Under the bill, the training and certification must also include a module on food allergies, including information on the best practices to prevent, recognize, and respond to food-related allergic reactions. As part of the certification, the bill also requires that food service personnel demonstrate competence in the training provided.
The ICBM Act (S 2422) pauses the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile program and redirects its funding to the Department of Education. It mandates the transfer of funds from the Sentinel program and the W87-1 warhead program to education under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, while prohibiting future funding for these defense initiatives. The bill also requires an independent study by the National Academy of Sciences to assess extending the Minuteman III missile's operational life until at least 2050. This reallocation shifts billions in defense spending toward education, with the study aiming to inform future nuclear modernization decisions.
HR 1090, the Truth in Tuition Act of 2025, requires colleges and universities receiving federal financial aid to provide clearer tuition cost information to students. Specifically, institutions must offer either a multi-year tuition and fee schedule or a single-year schedule plus a nonbinding estimate of total costs after financial aid for the full program duration, showing year-by-year costs. The bill mandates that estimates include historical accuracy data on past projections versus actual costs. This applies directly to students enrolling in undergraduate or graduate programs at participating institutions, aiming to improve cost transparency for financial planning.
HRES 1064 is a symbolic resolution designating February 16, 2026, as "International Black Aviation Professionals Day" to honor historical contributions by Black aviation pioneers. It does not create new laws or allocate funds but requests the President issue a proclamation encouraging nationwide recognition of these contributions, including through educational curriculum updates in schools and libraries. The resolution specifically highlights figures like Bessie Coleman, the Tuskegee Airmen, and Katherine Johnson, and urges support for greater diversity in aviation careers. This designation directly celebrates past achievements and aims to inspire future opportunities for Black professionals in aviation, without mandating any specific actions.
SRES 563 is a non-binding Senate resolution affirming that the federal government should support school districts in replacing diesel school buses with cleaner alternatives like electric models. It highlights that diesel exhaust - harmful pollutants linked to asthma, missed school days, and long-term health risks for children - directly affects over 30% of U.S. students who ride school buses. The resolution cites bipartisan past efforts, including funding in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, to support this transition but does not create new funding or mandates. It serves as a statement of policy preference, not a legislative action.
This bill expands the use of 529 college savings plans to cover tuition and related costs for specific aviation training. It allows students to use 529 funds for qualified aviation maintenance courses at FAA-approved Part 147 schools and qualified commercial pilot courses at FAA-approved flight schools (Part 61 or Part 141). The change directly affects students pursuing careers as aircraft maintenance technicians or commercial pilots by making these training costs eligible for tax-advantaged savings. The provision amends the Internal Revenue Code to include these specific aviation programs under existing 529 plan rules, effective after the bill's enactment.
This bill creates "Workforce Pell Grants" to support students in short-term, job-focused training programs instead of traditional degree programs. It directly affects students enrolled in state-approved programs lasting 8-15 weeks (150-600 hours) that lead to portable credentials in high-demand fields, not graduate degrees or programs exceeding 600 hours. Key provisions require programs to meet state-determined job placement (70%+ within 180 days), earnings standards (median earnings exceeding 150% of poverty line), and academic credit transferability. The program starts July 1, 2026, replacing standard Pell Grants for eligible short-term training while preventing double-benefits with other aid.
HR 6134, the STUDENT Act, amends the Higher Education Act to require student loan lenders to provide clearer interest disclosures. It mandates that borrowers receive the total amount of interest they will pay over the life of their loan, calculated using the standard repayment plan based on their total outstanding principal. This change directly affects student loan borrowers by making long-term loan costs more transparent upfront. The key mechanism is adding this lifetime interest figure to existing disclosure forms required under Section 433(a).
