Bill · S. 4496· Senate(119-S-4496)
A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for additional uses of funds for grants to strengthen historically Black colleges and universities, and for other purposes.
- Introduced
- 5/12/2026
- Last activity
- 5/12/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- Angela Alsobrooks
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill proposes to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965. The primary goal is to expand how funds can be used for grants to strengthen historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). It aims to provide more support for arts, arts education, and cultural programs. Specifically, it introduces new ways to fund student assistance, outreach, and services related to these fields. The bill also allows for partnerships with the National Endowment for the Arts to achieve these goals.
Yes· 3 of 7
Would Black Americans be better off under this?+8
The bill specifically targets the strengthening of HBCUs and the protection of Black art collections.
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?+7
The bill directs funds to strengthen Historically Black Colleges and Universities to address historical underfunding.
Would students be better off under this?+6
The bill provides comprehensive student support including mentorship, guidance counseling, and career advising.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Financial and Educational Support: The bill would allow for providing financial and other assistance to students enrolled in arts, arts education, and cultural programs (Section 2, subsection (a), paragraph 14).
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Career and Mentorship Services: Students could benefit from comprehensive wraparound services, which include faculty and peer mentorship, work-based learning, guidance counseling, and career advising (Section 2, subsection (a), paragraph 16).
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Professional Opportunities: The bill seeks to provide well-paid apprenticeship, internship, and fellowship opportunities through partnerships with nonprofit arts, arts education, and cultural institutes (Section 2, subsection (a), paragraph 18).
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Cultural Preservation: There is a provision for exhibiting, maintaining, monitoring, and protecting Black art collections in both exhibition and storage (Section 2, subsection (a), paragraph 17).
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Institutional Growth: The bill provides for establishing outreach programs and development offices specifically for arts, arts education, and cultural departments (Section 2, subsection (a), paragraph 15).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For African Americans+8Good For Students+6Good For Young Adults+5Good For Low Income Households+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+7
- Education And Technology
- Increases Public School Funding+4
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3
- 5/12/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
James JusticeRepublican · West Virginia