H.R. 10612 – BASIC Act of 2026

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 10612

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 24, 2026

Mrs. Torres of California (for herself, Mr. Bell, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Correa, Ms. Crockett, Mr. Garamendi, Mrs. McBath, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Mr. Moulton, Ms. Norton, Mr. Peters, Ms. Sánchez, Ms. Scanlon, Ms. Simon, Mr. Thanedar, and Mr. Vargas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce

A BILL

To provide for the basic needs of students at institutions of higher education.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Basic Assistance for Students In College Act of 2026 or the BASIC Act of 2026.

Grants to support the basic needs of students

Title VIII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1161a et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

Grants to support the basic needs of students

899.

Grants to support the basic needs of students

(a)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Basic needs

The term basic needs, with respect to a student, means the physiological and safety necessities that are central conditions for the student to learn, including—

(A)

nutritious and sufficient food;

(B)

safe, secure, and adequate housing (including to sleep, to study, to cook, and to shower);

(C)

health care to promote sustained mental and physical well-being;

(D)

high-quality and affordable child care;

(E)

affordable technology and internet access;

(F)

accessible transportation;

(G)

personal hygiene and clothing; and

(H)

other costs described in paragraphs (2) through (14) of section 472(a).

(2)

Community college

(A)

In general

The term community college means—

(i)

a public institution of higher education at which—

(I)

the highest degree awarded is an associate degree; or

(II)

an associate degree is the most frequently awarded degree, including a 2-year Tribal College or University (as defined in section 316);

(ii)

a public postsecondary vocational institution (as defined in section 102(c)); or

(iii)

at the designation of the Secretary, in the case of a State in which there is no community college operated or controlled by the State that meets a definition under clause (i) or (ii), a college or similarly defined and structured academic entity—

(I)

that was in existence before the date of enactment of this part;

(II)

within a public 4-year institution of higher education; and

(III)

at which—

(aa)

the highest degree awarded is an associate degree; or

(bb)

an associate degree is the most frequently awarded degree.

(3)

Eligible institution

The term eligible institution means an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 or 102(a)(1)(B)).

(b)

Planning grants

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall award planning grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible institutions to enable the eligible institutions to conduct research and planning in accordance with paragraph (2)—

(A)

to reduce incidences of—

(i)

student food insecurity;

(ii)

student housing insecurity; and

(iii)

students experiencing homelessness; and

(B)

to meet other basic needs of students.

(2)

Activities

An eligible institution receiving a grant under this subsection shall use grant funds to carry out the following activities:

(A)

Establish a basic needs steering committee that will be—

(i)

responsible for developing and approving the basic needs strategy described in subparagraph (C); and

(ii)

comprised of relevant stakeholders, such as—

(I)

students who have experienced challenges in meeting basic needs;

(II)

student government representatives;

(III)

staff of the eligible institution representing the areas of student financial aid, housing, dining, student affairs, academic advising, equity support services, accessibility services, campus security, legal services, and health and well-being services (including counseling or psychological services);

(IV)

faculty;

(V)

relevant administrators, including local human services administrators;

(VI)

community-based and other nonprofit organizations; and

(VII)

representatives from State or local governmental agencies.

(B)

Conduct research regarding—

(i)

the level of unmet basic needs at the eligible institution, disaggregated by race and ethnicity, income quintile, status as a first generation college student (as defined in section 402A(h)), Federal Pell Grant eligibility status, disability status, status as a student parent, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), or other subgroup as determined by the eligible institution;

(ii)

the presence of institutional barriers (such as award displacement) and current institutional interventions to address basic needs insecurity;

(iii)

the presence of administrative barriers for students in applying, certifying eligibility, and renewing applications for federally funded benefit programs, and interventions to address such barriers;

(iv)

(I)

the resources and activities available to address basic needs of students, both on campus and off campus, as of the date of the research; and

(II)

the impact of such resources and activities; and

(v)

opportunities for coordination and collaboration between the eligible institution and Federal, State, local, and Tribal agencies or community-based organizations, such as—

(I)

the local office that administers benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) and carries out employment and training programs under that Act, or the temporary assistance for needy families program and subsidized programs that meet the work requirements under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);

(II)

organizations that participate in the Federal work-study program under part C of title IV; or

(III)

low-income housing assistance organizations, including such organizations assisting with tenant-based assistance under section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)), and public housing (as defined in section 3(b) of that Act (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b))).

(C)

Develop a basic needs strategy that describes the means by which the eligible institution will—

(i)

seek to address or meet the basic needs of students through on-campus and off-campus providers; and

(ii)

incorporate the research conducted under subparagraph (B), including with respect to the subgroups identified under clause (i) of that subparagraph, into the basic needs strategy.

(D)

Implement the strategy described in subparagraph (C), including by—

(i)

conducting outreach to encourage students to participate in programs that provide basic needs or reduce basic needs insecurity;

(ii)

educating students about Federal, State, local, and Tribal assistance programs, supporting student applications for those programs, and providing case management and training for students to maximize the assistance that students and their families receive to reduce basic needs insecurity;

(iii)

coordinating and collaborating with Federal, State, local, and Tribal agencies or community-based organizations;

(iv)

hiring and training personnel to build infrastructure and implement programming to reduce basic needs insecurity at the eligible institution; and

(v)

carrying out other matters determined to be appropriate by the Secretary.

(3)

Grant amounts; duration

(A)

Amount

The amount of a grant under this subsection shall be not more than $200,000.

(B)

Duration

A grant under this subsection shall be for a period of not more than 2 years.

(4)

Report

Not later than 60 days after the end of the planning grant period under this subsection, each eligible institution that receives such a grant shall submit to the Secretary a report that describes the outcomes of the planning grant, regardless of whether the eligible institution intends to apply for an implementation grant.

(c)

Implementation grants

(1)

Award

(A)

In general

The Secretary shall award implementation grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible institutions to enable the eligible institutions to develop infrastructure to meet the basic needs of students by—

(i)

implementing—

(I)

a basic needs strategy developed under subsection (b)(2)(C); or

(II)

another existing basic needs plan approved by the Secretary; and

(ii)

carrying out the activities described in paragraph (2).

(B)

Ongoing external funding

To be eligible to receive an implementation grant under this paragraph, an eligible institution shall identify, in the application for the grant, an ongoing non-Federal funding mechanism to support the activities carried out using grant funds after the expiration of the grant period.

(2)

Activities

An eligible institution receiving a grant under this subsection shall use the grant funds to carry out at least 2 of the following activities:

(A)

Providing to eligible students free or subsidized food, secure sleeping arrangements, temporary housing, priority access to existing on-campus child care, and other basic needs.

(B)

Conducting outreach to students to reduce stigma associated with, and educate and encourage students to participate in, programs and services (including programs and services provided through grant funding) to meet basic needs.

(C)

(i)

Educating students about federally funded benefit programs described in section 483(a)(2)(B)(ii)(XVII) and, to the extent determined appropriate by the institution, other State and local benefit programs;

(ii)

supporting student applications for those programs; and

(iii)

providing case management and training for students to maximize the public assistance that students and their families receive to meet basic needs.

(D)

Coordination and collaboration between the eligible institution and Federal, State, local, and Tribal agencies or community-based organizations, such as the local, State, or regional offices that administer benefits through the supplemental nutrition assistance program under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), or a low-income housing assistance organization.

(E)

Purchasing materials, equipment, transportation, or facilities to reduce incidences of food and housing insecurity and address the basic needs of students at the eligible institution.

(F)

Hiring and training personnel to build and improve basic needs infrastructure and implement programming to provide assistance in applying for, and accessing, direct support services, financial assistance, or federally funded benefit programs to meet the basic needs of students.

(G)

Other activities or services determined to be appropriate by the Secretary for meeting the basic needs of students.

(3)

Grant amounts; duration

(A)

Amount

The amount of a grant under this subsection shall be not more than $5,000,000 for each 5-year period.

(B)

Duration

A grant under this subsection shall be for a period of 5 years.

(4)

Report

The Secretary shall prepare and submit to Congress a report that describes—

(A)

the impact on eligible students of grants provided under this subsection;

(B)

the obstacles faced by recipients of grants under this subsection;

(C)

successful outcomes of grants under this subsection;

(D)

best practices for the provision of basic services to eligible students; and

(E)

Federal and State policy barriers to meeting the basic needs of students at institutions of higher education.

(5)

Best practices

The Secretary shall disseminate to eligible institutions information about best practices, as described in paragraph (4)(D).

(6)

Evaluation and report

For the purpose of evaluating the effectiveness of funds awarded under this subsection, the Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of each grant under this subsection to determine the impact on students, including retention, progression, transfer, attainment, and basic needs security, as applicable. The information from the evaluation shall be made public through a report after the first year and every 4 years thereafter. The report should highlight best practices for continuous improvement in retention, credit accumulation and progression, transfer, credential attainment, and basic-needs security, and demonstrate cost-per-outcome efficiency.

(d)

Reservation; priority; equitable distribution

(1)

Reservation

In awarding grants under subsections (b) and (c), the Secretary shall reserve—

(A)

an amount equal to not less than 25 percent of the total amount available for grants under those subsections for grant awards to community colleges; and

(B)

an amount equal to not less than 25 percent of the total amount available for grants under those subsections for grant awards to historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and other minority-serving institutions.

(2)

Priority

In awarding grants under subsections (b) and (c), the Secretary shall give priority to the following:

(A)

Eligible institutions with respect to which not fewer than 25 percent of enrolled students are students that are eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant under subpart 1 of part A of title IV.

(B)

Eligible institutions described in section 371(a).

(3)

Equitable distribution

In awarding grants under subsections (b) and (c), the Secretary shall ensure an equitable distribution of grant awards to eligible institutions in States, based on State population.

(e)

Disbursement of funds

For each fiscal year for which funds are appropriated under subsection (g), the Secretary shall obligate the funds for grants under this section and make such grants available for expenditure by eligible entities not later than 60 days after such funds are appropriated.

(f)

Prohibition

An eligible institution receiving a grant under this section may not reduce a student’s eligibility for, or the amount of, an institutional grant provided to the student by such institution on the basis of such student’s receipt of a benefit under a federally funded benefit program listed in section 483(a)(2)(B)(ii)(XVII).

(g)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2033, of which—

(1)

$40,000,000 is authorized to be appropriated to provide planning grants under subsection (b); and

(2)

$960,000,000 is authorized to be appropriated to provide implementation grants under subsection (c).

Data sharing to inform students of benefit programs

(a)

In general

Section 483(c)(3) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1090(c)(3)) is amended to read as follows:

(3)

Data-sharing agreements for benefit programs

(A)

In general

The Secretary shall enter into and maintain data sharing agreements that meet the requirements of subparagraph (B) with each appropriate Federal or State agency that handles applications for federally funded benefit programs described in subsection (a)(2)(B)(ii)(XVII) to—

(i)

identify applicants who are potentially eligible for one or more of such federally funded benefit programs;

(ii)

in the case of applicants identified under clause (i) who have not received benefits under a federally funded benefit program during the most recent 2 years—

(I)

notify such applicants they may enroll in such program; and

(II)

provide information on the eligibility requirements for such program;

(iii)

in the case of applicants identified under clause (i) who have received benefits under a federally funded benefit program during the most recent 2 years, notify such applicants of the requirements to renew, reenroll, or maintain enrollment in such a program;

(iv)

coordinate efforts among institutions of higher education, and each such appropriate Federal or State agency to enroll or maintain enrollment of potentially eligible applicants in such federally funded benefit programs, including prescreening or preliminary determinations of eligibility; and

(v)

design and update written or electronic communications to potentially eligible applicants and institutions of higher education regarding the benefit programs in accordance with this subparagraph.

(B)

Confidentiality of student information

Any person who receives information provided through a data sharing agreement under subparagraph (A) shall—

(i)

shall use the information only for the purposes of, and to the extent necessary in, carrying out the requirements of clauses (i) through (v) of subparagraph (A); and

(ii)

may not disclose the information for any other purpose (such as the conduct of criminal or civil investigations, proceedings, or prosecutions).

(b)

Federally funded benefit programs

Section 483(a)(2)(B)(ii)(XVII) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1090(a)(2)(B)(ii)(XVII)) is amended—

(1)

by striking received any of the following means-tested Federal benefits and inserting received benefits under any of the following federally funded benefit programs; and

(2)

by striking items (aa) through (jj) and inserting the following:

(aa)

The supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), a nutrition assistance program carried out under section 19 of such Act (7 U.S.C. 2028), or a nutrition assistance program carried out by the Secretary of Agriculture in the Northern Mariana Islands.

(bb)

The supplemental security income program under title XVI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.).

(cc)

The program of block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).

(dd)

The special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children established by section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786).

(ee)

The Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.).

(ff)

Federal housing assistance programs, including tenant-based assistance under section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)), and public housing, as defined in section 3(b)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(1)).

(gg)

Federal child care assistance programs, including assistance under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9857 et seq.) and the Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program under section 419N.

(hh)

The free and reduced price school lunch program established under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.).

(ii)

Refundable credit for coverage under a qualified health plan under section 36B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(jj)

The Earned Income Tax Credit under section 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(kk)

The Child Tax Credit under section 24 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(ll)

Education tax benefits described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 25A(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(mm)

Any other federally funded benefit program that supports the basic needs of students determined by the Secretary, in consultation with each appropriate State or Federal agency that handles applications for such federally funded benefit program.

(c)

Information To be supplied by the Secretary of Education

Section 483(a)(3)(A)(iv) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1090(a)(3)(A)(iv)) is amended to read as follows:

(iv)

A notification of the federally funded benefit programs described in paragraph (2)(B)(ii)(XVII) for which the applicant may be eligible, including relevant links and information on how to apply for, renew, or maintain eligibility for such programs, in accordance with the data sharing agreements specified in subsection (c)(3).

(d)

Information on federally funded programs To support basic needs

Section 483 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1090) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(e)

Information on federally funded benefit programs To support basic needs

(1)

In general

Upon receiving an application under this section from an applicant whom the Secretary determines (in accordance with paragraph (2)) may be eligible for a federally funded benefit program described in subsection (a)(2)(B)(ii)(XVII), the Secretary shall send to such applicant, in written and electronic form, information on, and the application for, each such federally funded benefit program for which the applicant may be so eligible (including a brief description of the appropriate resources or methods to apply for each such benefit program).

(2)

Determination requirements

In determining whether an applicant may be eligible for a federally funded benefit program pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary shall make such determination solely on the basis of the information submitted on the application described by subsection (a), and available through the data sharing agreements under subsection (c)(3), and without regard to enrollment intensity, income, work, or community participation requirements that may be needed to formally determine eligibility for such a program.

(e)

Further information on federally funded programs To support basic needs

Section 483(a)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1090(a)(2)) is amended—

(1)

by amending subparagraph (D)(ii) to read as follows:

(ii)

Authorization to disclose to benefits programs

An applicant and, if necessary, the parents or spouse of the applicant shall be provided, concurrently with the provision of the authorization described in clause (i), the opportunity to authorize the disclosure to each appropriate Federal or State agency that handles applications for federally funded benefit programs described in subparagraph (B)(ii)(XVII) all information provided by the applicant on the application described by this subsection, as well as such applicant’s student aid index, scheduled Federal Pell Grant award, or receipt of other Federal financial aid, to assist in identification, outreach, and application efforts for such federally funded benefits programs.

; and

(2)

in subparagraph (E), by amending clause (ii) to read as follows:

(ii)

an authorization under subparagraph (D), the Secretary shall, as soon as practicable, disclose the information described under such subparagraph—

(I)

in the case of an authorization under subparagraph (D)(i), to each entity specified by the applicant, in order for the applicant’s eligibility for Federal, State, or institutional student financial aid programs to be estimated or determined; and

(II)

in the case of an authorization under subparagraph (D)(ii), to each appropriate State or Federal agency that handles applications for federally funded benefit programs described in subparagraph (B)(ii)(XVII) in order for the applicant’s eligibility for such federally funded benefit programs to be estimated or determined; or

National report on student basic needs insecurity

(a)

Report on student food and housing insecurity

Section 483(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1090(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(10)

Report on student food, housing, and basic needs insecurity

The Secretary shall produce—

(A)

not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the BASIC Act of 2026, and at least once every 4 years thereafter, a public report with nationally representative statistics based on a survey of students who have applied for Federal financial aid and who enroll at institutions of higher education and are experiencing basic needs insecurity, including food, housing, transportation, child care, or other needs determined by the Secretary, disaggregated, to the extent available in existing Federal databases, by—

(i)

race and ethnicity;

(ii)

income quintile;

(iii)

status as a first generation college student (as defined in section 402A(h));

(iv)

Federal Pell Grant eligibility status;

(v)

disability status;

(vi)

status as a student parent;

(vii)

sex;

(viii)

military or veteran benefit status; and

(ix)

to the maximum extent practicable, the State in which the student attended higher education; and

(B)

not later than 1 year after enactment of the BASIC Act of 2026, a report to the authorizing committees and the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate, on the progress of the Secretary in carrying out the directives of this subsection related to connecting students to federally funded benefit programs, including any areas of concern and potential problem issues uncovered that may hamper such implementation and solutions determined to address such issues.

BASIC Act of 2026

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