Bill · S. 4541· Senate(119-S-4541)
Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 5/14/2026
- Last activity
- 5/14/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S2307-2308)
- Sponsored by
- Richard Durbin
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill establishes the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program within the Department of State. The program aims to increase the number of United States undergraduate students who participate in study abroad opportunities. It specifically targets increasing access for low-income students, students of color, and other underrepresented groups. The initiative also seeks to encourage more students to study in nontraditional destinations, particularly developing countries. To achieve this, the Secretary of State will award competitive grants to institutions of higher education.
Yes· 3 of 12
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?+5
The bill increases access to study abroad opportunities for undergraduate students.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+5
The bill prioritizes increasing access to study abroad for low-income students.
Would Black Americans be better off under this?+5
The bill targets increasing participation rates for minority students.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased access for underrepresented groups: The bill aims to ensure more low-income students, students of color, first-generation college students, community college students, and students with disabilities have access to study abroad opportunities (Section 2, Section 3).
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Enhanced global skills and economic success: By increasing study abroad participation, the bill intends to provide students with international knowledge, world language skills, and cultural understanding essential for success in the global economy (Section 2).
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Support for direct student costs: The program is directed to use grant funds to support the direct costs faced by students (Section 4(b)(4)(A)).
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Focus on critical skills: The program includes provisions for learning world languages, including those determined to be critical to national security interests (Section s 4(a)(7)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Dependency on available funding: The establishment and enhancement of the program are subject to the availability of appropriations (Section 4(b)(1)).
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+5Good For Hispanic Americans+5Good For Low Income Households+5Good For People With Disabilities+5Good For Students+5Good For Young Adults+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights+5Improves Racial Equity+5
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+2Increases Job Creation+2
- Education And Technology
- Improves College Affordability+4
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Alliances+3
- 5/14/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S2307-2308)
- 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.
Roger WickerRepublican · Mississippi