BASIC Act of 2026

This bill would create two federal grant programs for colleges to help students meet basic needs such as food, housing, health care, child care, internet access, and transportation. Planning grants of up to $200,000 over up to 2 years would fund research and a basic needs strategy, and implementation grants of up to $5 million over 5 years would fund services such as free or subsidized food and temporary housing. It would authorize $1 billion per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2033 and reserve at least 25 percent each for community colleges and for minority-serving institutions. The bill would also require the Education Department to share federal student aid application data with benefit agencies, with the applicant's permission, and to tell applicants about programs like SNAP and Medicaid they may qualify for. It would require a national report on student food, housing, and other basic needs insecurity at least every 4 years.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Alex Padilla Democrat sponsor
• 7 cosponsors