Opportunities for Success Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would _prioritize work-based learning and early learning in the Federal Work-Study program_. It would reshape how campuses get funds, create a new pilot grant program, and add surveys and reporting to connect students to paid, credit-aligned workplace experiences.
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- Students and families: Students would get more paid, credit-aligned work experiences, child-development supports, and a carry-forward option for unspent awards while staying in work-based learning. Up to $2,500 earned during a short nonenrollment period would not be applied to the next cost of attendance.
- Institutions: Colleges would face a phased shift to a ‘‘fair share’’ allocation by FY2031 and new eligibility rules. The bill sets an improved-institution reserve capped at $150 million and other programmatic minimums institutions must meet.
- Employers and programs: A WORK-BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES pilot would fund employer-run paid positions, require outcome tracking, and award grants up to $1,000,000 with a $30,000,000 annual reservation for the pilots.
*Would authorize Federal Work-Study spending rising from $1.5 billion in FY2027 to $2.5 billion in FY2031, increasing federal outlays over that period.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Keep some earnings during breaks
If enacted, a student who showed exceptional need could work Work-Study during a break of up to six months. The job must be work-based learning with less than 25% administrative duties and usually at least 20 hours per week unless the school waives it. Up to $2,500 of earnings beyond standard living costs during that period would not be applied to the next period's cost of attendance. Any earnings above $2,500 would be applied to the next period's cost of attendance.
How colleges would get funding
If enacted, the bill would change how schools get Federal Work-Study funds for FY2027–FY2031 and after. Each school would get the larger of a set percentage of its FY2026 amount (90% in FY2027; 80% FY2028; 60% FY2029; 40% FY2030; 20% FY2031) or a "fair share" based on undergraduate and graduate student need. If total required allocations exceed the annual appropriation, each school's amount would be cut proportionally, and extra funds added later would be restored on the same basis. When annual appropriations exceed $700 million, the Secretary would set aside the smaller of 20% of the excess or $150 million for "improved" schools that meet completion and Pell-share tests.
Grants to expand student jobs
If enacted, the bill would create a Work-Based Learning Pilot Grant Program and reserve $30 million each year to fund it. Grants could be up to $1,000,000, run up to four years, and be renewed for up to two more years. Grants must pay wages, support career coaching and employer engagement, target students with exceptional need, and report completion and job outcomes.
More paid work for students
If enacted, schools could use Work-Study to pay students for child development, Head Start, internships, apprenticeships, research, clinicals, and other work-based learning—even without academic credit. Starting FY2028, schools would reserve minimum shares of grant funds: at least 3% for exceptional-need students in nonenrollment work-based learning, at least 7% for work-based learning, and at least 7% for community service including tutoring or family literacy. Schools could use more job-location funds (cap raised to 20% or $150,000) and run cooperative education full-time up to six months. Institutions must limit student administrative duties and reimburse reasonable travel but may not buy or lease vehicles.
New surveys and GAO study
If enacted, the Department of Education would build consumer-tested electronic surveys for students and employers within one year and survey institutions at least every four years. The Department would run an online portal, publish redacted aggregated reports to Congress every four years, and provide technical assistance. The Government Accountability Office would study best practices and report to Congress within two years.
Schools must notify students about SNAP
If enacted, institutions receiving Work-Study funds would have to notify likely-eligible students by email or other electronic means about possible SNAP eligibility. The notice would explain how to confirm eligibility and include a document students can use to show eligibility under SNAP student rules. The Secretary of Education would make the notice and give guidance with the Agriculture Department.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
OR • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12]
NC • D
Sponsored 12/11/2025
Craig
MN • D
Sponsored 12/17/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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