College doors open wider for homeless and foster youth
H.R. 9960 — Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act of 2026 · Filed by Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) · 1 cosponsor · Introduced Jul 27, 2026 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill expands federal higher education support for homeless and foster youth by requiring colleges to designate liaisons to help these students access housing, financial aid, and support services; prioritize them for campus housing; allow them to pay in-state tuition rates; and include them in federal TRIO mentoring and work-study programs. It also requires the Department of Education to issue guidance and conduct annual training for colleges on serving these populations.
Why we flagged it
The bill's operative mechanism is straightforward: it amends the Higher Education Act to mandate institutional support services, housing access, and tuition equity for homeless and foster youth. It is a public-benefit expansion, not a carve-out or deregulation.
What the text implies
- Colleges may face compliance costs to designate liaisons, revise policies, and track/report data on homeless and foster youth—costs not explicitly appropriated but likely absorbed by institutions or passed to other students.
- In-state tuition requirement may reduce out-of-state revenue for public universities, potentially affecting institutional budgets and cross-subsidies.
The full analysis lists 4 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
homeless and foster youth (direct beneficiaries of tuition equity and housing access); community-based organizations and child welfare agencies (potential contractors for outreach and sup