Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA)
Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act of 2026," aims to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965. It seeks to improve the financial aid process specifically for homeless and foster care youth. The legislation introduces new definitions for these groups and mandates that institutions provide designated liaisons to assist them. It also requires institutions to provide better access to housing and student support services. Additionally, the bill adjusts various federal programs to ensure better outreach and retention of these students. Finally, it mandates tuition protections and requires reports to track progress and effectiveness.
Yes· 3 of 12
- Scored +9
Would students be better off under this?
The bill significantly improves resources and protections for vulnerable student populations.
- Scored +9
Does this make housing cost less?
The bill requires institutions to provide housing access and priority for homeless and foster youth.
- Scored +9
Does this make college cost less?
The bill improves affordability by protecting tuition rates and enhancing financial aid access.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Support and Guidance: Institutions must designate trained staff members to act as liaisons to help students access services like financial aid, academic advising, housing, food, and mental health care (Section 4, subsection b).
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Enhanced Housing Access: Institutions will be required to provide a way for students to access housing if they face delays in receiving financial vouchers (Section 4, subsection a). Additionally, institutions must give priority for housing facilities to homeless, unaccompanied, and foster care youth (Section s 4, subsection b).
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Streamlined Complaint Resolution: The Student Loan Ombudsman will be tasked with receiving and resolving complaints regarding a student's independence more quickly (Section 3).
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Protection Against High Tuition: States are prohibited from charging homeless or foster care youth tuition and fees at a rate higher than what is charged to residents at public institutions (Section 14).
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Increased Outreach and Retention: Federal programs like TRIO, Talent Search, Upward Bound, and Student Support Services are required to conduct outreach and revise policies to remove barriers to participation and retention for these students (Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, and 11).
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Priority in Employment: Federal Work-Study programs will prioritize employment for students who are homeless or foster care youth (Section 12).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
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 significantly improves resources and protections for vulnerable student populations. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill provides significant support for students facing financial hardship due to homelessness. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill greatly benefits young adults who are homeless or in foster care by aiding college access. Would children be better off under this? — The bill provides enhanced support and housing access for foster care youth.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — The bill requires institutions to provide housing access and priority for homeless and foster youth. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill supports students facing economic instability through improved aid and support services. Does this make child care cost less? — The bill directs liaisons to assist students in accessing child care services. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — The bill addresses homelessness by improving housing access and support for students.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill mandates that liaisons help students connect to mental health care services. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill enhances access to healthcare and insurance through designated institutional liaisons.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — The bill improves affordability by protecting tuition rates and enhancing financial aid access.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates reporting on student populations and program effectiveness.
- 7/27/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
5 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Erin HouchinRepublican · Indiana