Patty Murray (D-WA)
Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
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, known as 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 and academic success for homeless, unaccompanied, and foster care youth. The legislation introduces new definitions for these specific groups to ensure they are properly recognized. It also mandates that institutions of higher education provide designated liaisons and better access to housing. Additionally, the bill requires various federal programs to conduct outreach and remove barriers for these students. Finally, it establishes mandates for tuition rates and data transparency to better support these individuals.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +8
Would students be better off under this?
The bill improves financial aid processes, housing access, and tuition rates for vulnerable student populations.
- Scored +8
Does this make college cost less?
The bill mandates in-state tuition rates for homeless/foster youth and improves financial aid access to increase college affordability.
- Scored +7
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
The bill enhances college access and financial aid processes for homeless and foster youth.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Financial Aid Resolution: The Student Loan Ombudsman will now receive, review, and resolve complaints regarding a student's independence more quickly, including through consultation with child welfare agencies (Section 3).
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Enhanced Housing Access: Institutions must provide a way for students to access housing if they cannot meet financial obligations due to delayed vouchers or delays caused by the institution (Section 4(a)).
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Priority Housing for Vulnerous Students: Higher education institutions are required to give priority for housing facilities to homeless youth, unaccompanied youth at risk of homelessness, and foster care youth (Section 4(b)(3)).
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Dedicated Support Staff: Schools must designate trained staff members to act as liaisons to help these students access services like financial aid, academic advising, food, health care, and childcare (Section 4(b)(1)).
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Increased Program Outreach: Federal Trio programs are required to identify, conduct outreach to, and provide services like mentoring and tutoring specifically for homeless and foster care youth (Section 5).
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Removal of Academic Barriers: Various federal programs must now review and revise their policies and practices to remove barriers that prevent homeless and foster youth from participating and staying in their programs (Sections 6, 7, 8, and 11).
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Employment Opportunities: Federal Work-Study programs will now prioritize employment for students who are homeless or foster care youth (Section 12).
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Affordable Tuition: States are prohibited from charging homeless or foster youth tuition and fees at a rate higher than what is charged to in-state residents at public institutions (Section 14).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Increased Information Sharing Requirements: While intended to help, the bill requires that an applicant's status be shared with a liaison after admission, but only with the consent of the applicant (Section 4(b)(5)(C)).
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 improves financial aid processes, housing access, and tuition rates for vulnerable student populations. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill specifically targets vulnerable youth by improving access to financial aid, housing, and employment. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill enhances college access and financial aid processes for homeless and foster youth. Would children be better off under this? — The bill provides targeted support services and educational protections for foster youth.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — The bill mandates that institutions provide priority housing and better access to housing resources for homeless and foster youth. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — By improving financial aid access and prioritizing work-study, the bill helps mitigate poverty for vulnerable students. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — The bill provides better housing access and support services for students facing homelessness.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — The bill mandates in-state tuition rates for homeless/foster youth and improves financial aid access to increase college affordability.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates data transparency regarding pending requests for homelessness determination.
- 7/28/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Introduced in Senate
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.