Dr. William W. Sullivan TRIO Upward Bound Student Stipend Support Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7690
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-25: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-16T16:36:07Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation, titled the "Dr. William W. Sullivan TRIO Upward Bound Student Stipend Support Act," aims to update the Higher Education Act of 1965 by raising the maximum monthly stipend amounts for participants in Upward Bound projects. Upward Bound is a federal program that provides support to low-income, first-generation college students to help them prepare for and succeed in postsecondary education.
Key Provisions
- Stipend Increases for Fiscal Year 2027:
- Regular participants: Increases maximum stipends from $60 per month to $180 per month during the academic year (up to 9 months).
- Summer program participants: Increases from $300 per month to $900 per month (up to 2 months).
- Veterans in veteran-specific projects: Increases from $40 per month to $120 per month during the academic year.
- Adds a new provision allowing veterans in targeted projects to receive up to $300 per month in fiscal year 2027.
- Inflation Adjustments Starting Fiscal Year 2028:
- For fiscal year 2028, all 2027 stipend amounts are adjusted upward by the estimated percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), a common measure of inflation, and rounded to the nearest $10.
- For fiscal year 2029 and beyond, the previous year's adjusted amounts receive the same annual CPI-based increase, rounded to the nearest $10.
- These changes apply only to projects funded under the Upward Bound section of the Higher Education Act.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Previously, stipend maximums were fixed at $60 per month for the academic year, $300 per month for summer, and $40 per month for certain groups like veterans, with no automatic inflation adjustments.
- The bill introduces temporary higher fixed amounts for fiscal year 2027 and establishes a permanent mechanism for annual CPI-linked increases starting in 2028, ensuring stipends keep pace with rising costs over time.
- It also explicitly adds stipend support for veterans in specialized Upward Bound projects, which was not previously detailed at this level.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Education, which oversees TRIO programs including Upward Bound, will need to implement the new stipend calculations and CPI adjustments, potentially increasing federal spending on grants to educational institutions running these projects (estimated costs not specified in the bill).
- On Citizens: Low-income high school students, first-generation college aspirants, and veterans participating in Upward Bound will receive more financial support for essentials like transportation, books, and supplies, potentially improving program retention and college enrollment rates.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as this is a domestic education policy focused on U.S. students.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Participants: Primarily low-income and first-generation high school students from disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as veterans in targeted Upward Bound programs.
- Educational Institutions: Colleges, universities, and nonprofits that operate Upward Bound projects, which will distribute the increased stipends but may face administrative updates.
- Federal Government: The Department of Education and Congress, responsible for funding and oversight, with implications for the federal budget allocated to TRIO programs.
- Broader Community: Families and communities benefiting from enhanced educational opportunities for underserved youth.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The changes are straightforward amendments to existing federal education law, requiring no new regulatory framework beyond CPI calculations already defined in the Higher Education Act (e.g., under section 478(f) for cost adjustments). No challenges to enforceability are evident.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority under the Spending Clause to fund education programs; no apparent free speech, equal protection, or other constitutional issues.
- Political: Supports equity in higher education access by addressing inflation's erosion of stipend value, potentially appealing to advocates for social mobility, though it may spark debates on federal spending priorities without offsetting budget measures.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-25: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2026-02-25: Introduced in House
- 2026-02-25: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Dr. William W. Sullivan TRIO Upward Bound Student Stipend Support Act — issued 2026-02-25 — PDF (4 pages)