Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act of 2026
Latest action (27 Jul 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 9960 would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make several changes aimed at improving college financial aid and support services for homeless and foster care youth. It would formally define "foster care youth," "homeless youth," and "unaccompanied youth" in federal law; require colleges to designate a trained staff liaison to help these students access financial aid, housing, and other support services; require priority access to institutional housing and work-study jobs; require federal TRIO and GEAR UP programs to conduct outreach, remove participation barriers, and report data on serving these students; require states to charge homeless and foster youth in-state tuition rates at public colleges; strengthen the student loan ombudsman's role in resolving disputes over independent-student status; and require the Department of Education to issue guidance, training, and periodic reports on serving these populations.
The bill primarily affects current and former foster youth and homeless or unaccompanied students seeking higher education, as well as colleges, state governments, and federal TRIO/GEAR UP grant recipients, who would face new outreach, reporting, and service obligations. Financial aid administrators and the Department of Education would also have new guidance and oversight duties.
The bill was introduced on July 27, 2026, by Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), with Rep. Erin Houchin as a cosponsor, and referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. It has not yet been voted on; the committee would need to act before it could move to the full House.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on July 27, 2026. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 9960 do?
- H.R. 9960 would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make several changes aimed at improving college financial aid and support services for homeless and foster care youth. It would formally define "foster care youth," "homeless youth," and "unaccompanied youth" in federal law; require colleges to designate a trained staff liaison to help these students access financial aid, housing, and other support services; require priority access to institutional housing and work-study jobs; require federal TRIO and GEAR UP programs to conduct outreach, remove participation barriers, and report data on serving these students; require states to charge homeless and foster youth in-state tuition rates at public colleges; strengthen the student loan ombudsman's role in resolving disputes over independent-student status; and require the Department of Education to issue guidance, training, and periodic reports on serving these populations. The bill primarily affects current and former foster youth and homeless or unaccompanied students seeking higher education, as well as colleges, state governments, and federal TRIO/GEAR UP grant recipients, who would face new outreach, reporting, and service obligations. Financial aid administrators and the Department of Education would also have new guidance and oversight duties. The bill was introduced on July 27, 2026, by Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), with Rep. Erin Houchin as a cosponsor, and referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. It has not yet been voted on; the committee would need to act before it could move to the full House.
- Has H.R. 9960 become law?
- Not yet. As of 27 Jul 2026, H.R. 9960 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 9960?
- H.R. 9960 was sponsored by Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove [D-CA37] (Democrat-CA), with 1 cosponsor.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 9960?
- Introduced (27 Jul 2026).
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