Judy Chu (D-CA)
Foster Youth Postsecondary Education Access and Success Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 555.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the ``Foster Youth Postsecondary Education Access and Success Act'', seeks to amend section 477 of the Social Security Act. It aims to increase the maximum amount for education and training vouchers. Additionally, the bill intends to provide greater support for foster youth pursuing postsecondary education. The legislation includes provisions for states to establish grace periods for certain activities and requires the development of model guidance by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. It also focuses on improving the accessibility and awareness of these vouchers through simplified application processes and state outreach.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +7
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
The bill provides increased financial support for postsecondary education and training specifically for youth.
- Scored +7
Would students be better off under this?
The bill increases the maximum amount for education and training vouchers to $12,000.
- Scored +7
Does this make college cost less?
The bill significantly increases the maximum amount of vouchers available for postsecondary education and training.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Financial Support: The bill increases the voucher amount from $5,000 to $12,000, which provides more money for education or training programs (Section 2(a)(1)(2)).
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Flexibility for Continued Participation: States may establish a grace period to allow youth to continue participation in certain activities after assessment and consultation (Section 2(a)(1)(A)).
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Expert Guidance: The Secretary of Health and Human Services will develop model guidance for states after consulting with youth who have experienced foster care (Section 2(b)).
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Improved Awareness: States are required to make reasonable efforts to ensure eligible youth are aware of the potential benefits (Section 3(a)(7)).
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Easier Application Process: The bill mandates a simplified, user-tested, and standard application form that is easily accessible and available electronically (Section 3(a)(8)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Delayed Implementation: The amendments made by this Act do not take effect until one year after the date of enactment (Section 4).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would students be better off under this? — The bill increases the maximum amount for education and training vouchers to $12,000. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill provides increased financial support for postsecondary education and training specifically for youth. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Increasing voucher amounts provides significant financial assistance for eligible youth in the foster care system.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — The bill significantly increases the maximum amount of vouchers available for postsecondary education and training.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill increases the maximum education and training voucher from $5,000 to $12,000 to support foster youth.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates a simplified, standard, and electronic application process for vouchers.
- 5/7/2026
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-638.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 555.
- 4/29/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 39 - 0.
- 2/10/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Nathaniel MoranRepublican · Texas