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119-hr-8834119th CongressWALLET

Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10]

Introduced

Summary

Would expand access to study abroad. The bill would rename the IDEAS Program as the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program and would set goals to increase participation, improve racial and economic diversity, and grow programs in nontraditional destinations, aiming for at least 1,000,000 U.S. undergraduates studying abroad annually within 10 years.

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  • Students: Undergraduate students, including lawful permanent residents and eligible noncitizens for federal student aid, would gain more funded opportunities. Grants would be used to support direct student costs and require plans to sustain increased participation.
  • Institutions: Colleges and consortia would compete for competitive grants. Priority may go to minority-serving institutions, schools eligible for the Strengthening Institutions Program, and programs with strong world language components.
  • Destinations and quality: The program would push expansion into nontraditional and developing-country destinations and require health, safety, and quality safeguards and annual reporting to Congress.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More study abroad grants for students

If enacted, this bill would rename the IDEAS Program the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program. It would authorize competitive grants to U.S. colleges and consortia to expand access to study abroad. Grants could be used to lower direct student costs and to increase participation by low-income students and students of color. The program would aim to reach at least 1,000,000 U.S. undergraduates studying abroad annually within 10 years. It would also aim to increase study abroad in nontraditional destinations, with a substantial share in developing countries. The Secretary could prioritize minority-serving institutions, colleges eligible for the Strengthening Institutions Program, and programs with strong world-language components. Grant applications would need evaluation and sustainability plans and health, safety, and security procedures informed by State Department travel advisories, OSAC, and CDC guidance. Funding is authorized as "such sums as may be necessary" starting in fiscal year 2027 and would be subject to appropriations. The Secretary would submit an annual report by December 31 to the appropriate congressional committees on program implementation.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Schneider, Bradley Scott [D-IL-10]

IL • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 5/14/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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