Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Senator Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced
Summary
Expand college access and supports for homeless and foster youth. This bill would amend the Higher Education Act to require colleges and federal programs to identify, recruit, and retain students who are homeless, unaccompanied, or in foster care. It would take effect July 1, 2026.
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- Students: Colleges would have to offer temporary access to campus housing when students face delayed vouchers, give priority for institution-owned housing to eligible youth, post liaison contact info, and allow voluntary admissions questions to connect students with supports. Public in-state colleges would be barred from charging higher resident tuition rates to homeless and foster youth, with parity phased in after the Act's effective date.
- Federal programs: Federal TRIO programs and projects like Talent Search, Upward Bound, Student Support Services, and Educational Opportunity Centers would be required to conduct outreach to homeless and foster youth, remove barriers to participation, and include these youth in eligibility and retention activities. Grantees would submit concluding reports that count youth served and describe effective strategies.
- Oversight and implementation: The Student Loan Ombudsman would get authority to handle independence determination complaints in consultation with child welfare and McKinney-Vento liaisons. The Education Secretary would issue guidance within 120 days and begin annual professional development for institutions within one year to support rollout.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
In-state tuition for foster and homeless youth
If enacted, the bill would add clear legal definitions for foster care youth and for homeless and unaccompanied youth. The foster care definition would count people who were age 13 or older in State or Tribal care, even if later adopted or placed with a guardian. The bill would also require public colleges in States receiving this funding to charge eligible foster and homeless youth the resident tuition and required fee rate for the student's first enrollment period that begins in the first full award year after the law's July 1, 2026 effective date. This would prevent those students from being charged out‑of‑state tuition surcharges.
Campus housing and job priority for youth
If enacted, colleges that take this funding would have to name a trained liaison to help homeless, unaccompanied, and foster youth. Schools would post liaison contact information and explain how to get independence papers and other financial help. The bill would require institutions to give these students priority for institution-owned or operated housing, including housing open during breaks. It would also require colleges to give these students priority for Federal Work-Study jobs to help them earn money while in school.
Help for student aid independence disputes
If enacted, the Student Loan Ombudsman would be able to receive, review, and quickly resolve complaints about independence determinations under the Higher Education Act. The Ombudsman would consult child welfare agencies, McKinney‑Vento local liaisons, and State Coordinators when handling these complaints. The Secretary would also have to issue guidance within 120 days and begin annual training for liaisons and financial aid staff within one year to support consistent independence decisions and implementation.
More outreach and reporting for youth programs
If enacted, TRIO, GEAR UP, and similar HEA projects would have to identify and do outreach to homeless and foster youth. Grant applicants would need to review and change policies that block participation and describe outreach activities in applications. Projects would have to submit project-conclusion reports that count how many homeless and foster youth they served and explain which strategies worked. Programs could partner with child welfare agencies, shelters, and McKinney‑Vento liaisons to keep youth in services despite moves or housing changes.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Murray, Patty [D-WA]
WA • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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