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119-s-377119th CongressWALLET

Students Helping Young Students Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Senator Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

Introduced

Summary

Adds after-school activities to Federal Work-Study so college students can be paid for supporting K–12 programs. This bill would expand the Higher Education Act to classify after-school activities as eligible community service and create a pilot pathway that lets institutions use work-study funds to compensate students who run or assist off-campus, school-based after-school programs.

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  • College students: Students could earn Federal Work-Study pay for serving in educational after-school or nonschool community activities at public elementary and secondary schools. Funds may cover wages, training, and travel, and the federal share of compensation could exceed 75%.
  • Public elementary and secondary schools and low-income communities: Eligible public schools, with priority given to those serving low-income communities, could register to host compensated student workers and gain more after-school staffing.
  • Institutions of higher education: Colleges would follow new Secretary-established registration and participation standards, ensure training for compensated students, and be able to direct work-study funds to off-campus, school-based after-school activities.
  • Community partners: Community learning centers and nonprofit partners that run after-school programs can serve as administrators and hosts for compensated students.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Education Department sets up program

If enacted, the Education Department would notify eligible public schools and set up a registration process so schools and partners can sign up within 180 days of enactment. The bill would also define what counts as an "after-school activity," including before-school and summer programs and partner community organizations. These steps would make placements and payments administratively possible.

More federal pay, priority for low-income schools

If enacted, the bill would allow the federal share of student compensation in after-school placements to exceed 75 percent. Institutions would, to the extent practicable, give priority to schools serving low-income communities when placing and paying students. Institutions must also ensure students paid with these funds get appropriate training. These rules take effect upon enactment.

Paid after-school work for college students

If enacted, the bill would let Federal Work-Study pay college students who work in qualifying after-school programs. After-school work would count as community service for work-study. Schools must be allowed to use work-study funds to pay students in eligible academic years. Pay can include time for training and travel that is directly related to the work.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

NJ • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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