Foster Youth Postsecondary Education Access and Success Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7463
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Families
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-07: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 555.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-02T21:06:20Z
AI-Generated Summary
Foster Youth Postsecondary Education Access and Success Act (H.R. 7463)
Purpose
This bill aims to expand support for young people who have been in foster care by increasing funding limits for education and training vouchers and improving access to these benefits, helping them pursue college or vocational programs.
Key Provisions
- Voucher Amount Increase: Raises the maximum annual education and training voucher from $5,000 to $12,000 per eligible youth (under Section 477(i)(4)(B) of the Social Security Act).
- Grace Period Flexibility: Allows states to provide a grace period for youth to continue program activities after an assessment, if reasonable circumstances (like personal challenges) justify it.
- Awareness and Outreach: States must make reasonable efforts to inform eligible youth about vouchers, including coordination with other support programs.
- Simplified Application: Requires a user-friendly, standardized application form for vouchers that uses simple language and is available online.
- Guidance from HHS: The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), consulting former foster youth, must issue model guidance for states on implementing the grace period.
- Fund Usage: Permits states to use allotted funds for outreach to raise awareness of the program.
- Effective Date: Changes take effect 1 year after the bill becomes law.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Higher Voucher Limit: Doubles the previous $5,000 cap, providing more financial aid for tuition, books, and related costs.
- New Flexibility and Requirements: Adds grace periods, mandatory youth awareness efforts, and a standardized application—features not previously required.
- Expanded Fund Use: Broadens allowable spending to include outreach, clarifying uses for certain state allotments.
Potential Impacts
- On Foster Youth: More funding and easier access could boost college enrollment and completion rates for those aging out of foster care (typically up to age 23-26 for eligibility).
- On States: Increased administrative duties (outreach, applications, guidance implementation) but funded through existing allotments under the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood.
- On Government Agencies: HHS gains responsibility for guidance; states handle program delivery.
- Broader Effects: May reduce long-term reliance on public assistance by improving education outcomes, with minimal impact on international relations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Primary: Eligible former foster youth pursuing postsecondary education or training.
- Government: States receiving Chafee program funds; HHS for oversight and guidance.
- Support Programs: Entities funded under related foster care transition programs (e.g., subsection (h)(1)).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Builds on existing Social Security Act framework without creating new entitlements; emphasizes state flexibility while adding accountability.
- Constitutional: No apparent challenges—falls under Congress's spending power for welfare programs.
- Political: Bipartisan introduction (Rep. Chu and Rep. Moran); reported favorably from House Ways and Means Committee, signaling potential for passage to aid vulnerable youth without major controversy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Moran, Nathaniel [R-TX-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-07: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 555.
- 2026-05-07: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-638.
- 2026-05-07: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-638.
- 2026-04-29: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 39 - 0.
- 2026-04-29: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-02-10: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 2026-02-10: Introduced in House
- 2026-02-10: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Foster Youth Postsecondary Education Access and Success Act — issued 2026-02-10 — PDF (4 pages)
- Foster Youth Postsecondary Education Access and Success Act — issued 2026-05-07 — PDF (6 pages)