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H.R. 10551House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Public Service Educational Assistance Act

Sponsored by Shomari FiguresRep. Shomari Figures (D-AL)
Introduced September 24, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated September 26, 2026 at 7:57 AM UTC

The Public Service Educational Assistance Act directs the Secretary of Education to create a program that pays for college tuition, fees and books for the children or other dependents of full‑time public service workers—specifically first responders, teachers and social workers—who have at least 20 years of service. The assistance can be used for up to four academic years at public colleges or approved training programs, and it can be combined with other federal student aid. The benefits are not treated as wages and are tax‑free. The program takes effect one year after the law is enacted.

Key Provisions

  • Eligibility: Dependents of full‑time public service employees (first responders, educators, social workers) with 20 or more years of service.
  • Benefits: Covers tuition, fees, and books for a post‑secondary program at a public institution or approved training program, for up to four academic years.
  • Concurrent Aid: Recipients may also receive other federal, state, or local student aid without reduction.
  • No Impact on Retirement: The assistance does not count as wages for retirement or other employment‑related benefits.
  • Tax Treatment: The assistance is exempt from federal income tax.
  • Implementation: The Secretary of Education must issue regulations, and the program becomes effective one year after enactment.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Education and Workforce Committee

September 24, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

September 24, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Education and Workforce Committee

September 24, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued September 24, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 10551

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 24, 2026

Mr. Figures (for himself, Mrs. Hayes, and Mr. Ezell) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Education to establish a Public Service Educational Assistance Program to provide educational assistance to the dependents of public service employees, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Public Service Educational Assistance Act.

2.

Establishment of the Public Service Educational Assistance Program

(a)

Establishment

The Secretary shall establish a Public Service Educational Assistance Program to provide educational assistance to each dependent of each public service employee who, on or after the effective date of this Act, has at least 20 years of service as a public service employee, in the aggregate, and who was a public service employee on the date of enactment of this Act, or began service as a public service employee after the date of enactment of this Act.

(b)

Educational assistance

Educational assistance provided to a dependent under this Act—

(1)

shall be in an amount that covers the cost of tuition, fees, and books for a program of study at an applicable postsecondary educational institution located in a State where a dependent is eligible to receive in-State tuition; and

(2)

may be provided for not longer than 4 academic years.

3.

Coordination with other Federal benefits

(a)

Concurrent benefits

A dependent may receive educational assistance under this Act concurrently with other forms of Federal student aid, including grants and loans under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.), and other postsecondary education benefits under Federal, State, and local law.

(b)

No effect on retirement or other benefits

Educational assistance provided under this Act shall not be considered wages or compensation for purposes of determining eligibility for, or the amount of, any retirement or other employment-related benefit, except as otherwise provided by law.

(c)

Tax treatment

Educational assistance provided under this Act shall be exempt from taxation under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

4.

Regulations

The Secretary shall promulgate such regulations as are necessary to carry out this Act.

5.

Effective date

This Act shall take effect on the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.

6.

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

Applicable postsecondary educational institution

The term applicable postsecondary educational institution means—

(A)

a public institution of higher education; or

(B)

a public education or training program that leads to a recognized postsecondary credential.

(2)

Dependent

The term dependent has the meaning given such term in section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (determined by substituting 26 for 19 in subsection (c)(3)(A)(i) thereof and without regard to subsection (c)(3)(A)(ii) thereof).

(3)

Educator or teacher

The term educator or teacher means an individual who is not an elected official and who is employed at a public elementary school, a public secondary school, a public school system, a State educational agency, or a local educational agency.

(4)

Elementary school; local educational agency; secondary school; State educational agency

The terms elementary school; local educational agency; secondary school; State educational agency have the meanings given such terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

(5)

First responder

The term first responder includes a law enforcement officer or firefighter, including—

(A)

an employee of a government prosecutorial agency or a public defender;

(B)

a public safety telecommunicator, including a 911 operator or a fire dispatcher;

(C)

an emergency medical services member;

(D)

an employee of the Federal Emergency Management Agency;

(E)

an employee of a State, local, or tribal emergency management agency; or

(F)

a Department of Energy nuclear courier or emergency response team member.

(6)

Full-time

The term full-time means an employee who is employed at least 40 hours in a workweek.

(7)

Institution of higher education

The term institution of higher education has the meaning given such term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002).

(8)

Public service employee

The term public service employee means an employee who works full-time—

(A)

as a first responder;

(B)

as an educator or teacher; or

(C)

as a social worker.

(9)

Recognized postsecondary credential

The term recognized postsecondary credential has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).

(10)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Education.

(11)

Social worker

The term social worker means an employee of a government entity that provides mental health services or child welfare services.