Bill · S. 5146· Senate(119-S-5146)
Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 7/28/2026
- Last activity
- 7/28/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- Patty Murray
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act of 2026," aims to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965. It seeks to improve the financial aid process and academic success for homeless, unaccompanied, and foster care youth. The legislation introduces new definitions for these specific groups to ensure they are properly recognized. It also mandates that institutions of higher education provide designated liaisons and better access to housing. Additionally, the bill requires various federal programs to conduct outreach and remove barriers for these students. Finally, it establishes mandates for tuition rates and data transparency to better support these individuals.
Yes· 3 of 9
Would students be better off under this?+8
The bill improves financial aid processes, housing access, and tuition rates for vulnerable student populations.
Does this make college cost less?+8
The bill mandates in-state tuition rates for homeless/foster youth and improves financial aid access to increase college affordability.
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?+7
The bill enhances college access and financial aid processes for homeless and foster youth.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Financial Aid Resolution: The Student Loan Ombudsman will now receive, review, and resolve complaints regarding a student's independence more quickly, including through consultation with child welfare agencies (Section 3).
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Enhanced Housing Access: Institutions must provide a way for students to access housing if they cannot meet financial obligations due to delayed vouchers or delays caused by the institution (Section 4(a)).
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Priority Housing for Vulnerous Students: Higher education institutions are required to give priority for housing facilities to homeless youth, unaccompanied youth at risk of homelessness, and foster care youth (Section 4(b)(3)).
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Dedicated Support Staff: Schools must designate trained staff members to act as liaisons to help these students access services like financial aid, academic advising, food, health care, and childcare (Section 4(b)(1)).
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Increased Program Outreach: Federal Trio programs are required to identify, conduct outreach to, and provide services like mentoring and tutoring specifically for homeless and foster care youth (Section 5).
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Removal of Academic Barriers: Various federal programs must now review and revise their policies and practices to remove barriers that prevent homeless and foster youth from participating and staying in their programs (Sections 6, 7, 8, and 11).
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Employment Opportunities: Federal Work-Study programs will now prioritize employment for students who are homeless or foster care youth (Section 12).
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Affordable Tuition: States are prohibited from charging homeless or foster youth tuition and fees at a rate higher than what is charged to in-state residents at public institutions (Section 14).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Increased Information Sharing Requirements: While intended to help, the bill requires that an applicant's status be shared with a liaison after admission, but only with the consent of the applicant (Section 4(b)(5)(C)).
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 Students+8Good For Low Income Households+7Good For Young Adults+7Good For Children+6
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Affordable Housing+5Improves Poverty Reduction+5Reduces Homelessness+3
- Education And Technology
- Improves College Affordability+8
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3
- 7/28/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Introduced in Senate
5 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.