Sec. 321. Postsecondary student success grants
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Part B of title VII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1138 et seq. ) is amended— in section 741— by striking subsections (b), (c), (e), and (f); by redesignating subsection
(d)as subsection (c); and by inserting after subsection
(a)the following: In this subsection: The term completion rate means— the percentage of students from an initial cohort enrolled at an institution of higher education that is a 2-year institution who have graduated from the institution or transferred to a 4-year institution of higher education; or the percentage of students from an initial cohort enrolled at an institution of higher education in the State that is a 4-year institution who have graduated from the institution. The term eligible entity means— an institution of higher education; a partnership between a nonprofit educational organization and an institution of higher education; and a consortium of institutions of higher education. The term eligible Indian entity means the entity responsible for the governance, operation, or control of a Tribal College or University. The term evidence-based has the meaning given the term in section 8101(21)(A) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7801(21)(A) ), except that such term shall also apply to institutions of higher education. The term evidence tier 1 reform or practice means a reform or practice that prior research suggests has promise for the purpose of successfully improving student achievement or attainment for high-need students. The term evidence tier 2 reform or practice means a reform or practice described in clause (i), or other practice meeting similar criteria, that measures impact and cost effectiveness of student success activities, and, through rigorous evaluation (including through the use of existing administrative data, as applicable), has been found to be successfully implemented. The term evidence tier 3 reform or practice means a reform or practice described in clause (ii), or other practice meeting similar criteria, that has been found to produce sizable, important impacts on student success and— determines whether such impacts can be successfully reproduced and sustained over time; and identifies the conditions in which such reform or practice is most effective. The term first generation college student has the meaning given the term in section 402A(h) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1070a–11(h) ). The term high-need student means— a student from low-income background; first generation college students; caregiver students; students with disabilities; students who stopped out before completing; reentering justice-impacted students; and military-connected students. The term Secretary means the Secretary of Education. The term Tribal College or University has the meaning given the term in section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1059c(b) ). From the total amount appropriated to carry out this subsection for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve 2 percent for grants to eligible Indian entities to increase participation and completion rates of high-need students. For each of fiscal years 2025 through 2030, the Secretary shall award, on a competitive basis, grants to eligible entities to provide student services to increase participation, retention, and completion rates of high-need students. An eligible entity desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing the information required under subparagraph (C). An application submitted under this paragraph shall include the following: A plan to increase, with respect to all students enrolled at the institution of higher education, attainment and completion rates or graduation rates, including— a description of which evidence tiers would be met by the evidence-based reforms or practices; and a particular focus on serving high-need students through student services and collaboration among 2-year programs, 4-year programs, and workforce systems. Annual benchmarks for student outcomes with respect to evidence-based reforms or practices. A plan to evaluate the evidence-based reforms or practices carried out pursuant to a grant received under this subsection. Rates of enrolled students who received a Federal Pell Grant under section 401. Demographics of enrolled students, including high-need students. A description of how the eligible entity will, directly or in collaboration with institutions of higher education or nonprofit organizations, use the grant funds to implement 1 or more of the following evidence-based reforms or practices: Providing comprehensive academic, career, and student services, which may include mentoring, advising, or case management services. Providing accelerated learning opportunities, which may include dual or concurrent enrollment programs and early college high school programs. Reforming course scheduling or credit-awarding policies. Improving transfer pathways between the institution of higher education, or eligible Indian entity, and other institutions of higher education. A description of how the evidence-based reforms or practices carried out pursuant to a grant under this subsection will be sustained once the grant expires. From the total amount appropriated to carry out this subsection for a fiscal year and not reserved under paragraph (4), the Secretary shall reserve not less than 20 percent to award grants to eligible entities with applications that propose to include reforms or practices— at least 1 of which is a tier 3 reform or practice; and the rest of which are tier 1 or tier 2 reforms or practices. An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant funds to carry out the plans submitted pursuant to subparagraph
(C)and for evidence-based reforms or practices for improving retention and completion rates of students that may include the following: Student services to support retention, completion, and success, which may include— faculty and peer counseling; use of real-time data on student progress; improving transfer student success; and incentives for students to re-enroll or stay on track. Direct student support services, including a combination of— tutoring, academic supports, and enrichment services; and emergency financial assistance. Efforts to prepare students for a career, which may include— career coaching, career counseling and planning services, and efforts to lower student to advisor ratios; networking and work-based learning opportunities to support the development of skills and professional relationships; utilizing career pathways; and boosting experiences necessary to obtain and succeed in high-wage, high-skilled, (as described in section 122 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 ( 20 U.S.C. 2342 )) or in-demand sectors or occupations (as defined in section 3(23) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3102(23) ). Efforts to recruit and retain faculty and other instructional staff. From the total amount appropriated to carry out this subsection for a fiscal year, and not reserved under paragraph
(4)or subparagraph (D), the Secretary may set aside— not more than 5 percent for administration, capacity building, research, evaluation, and reporting; and not more than 2 percent for technical assistance to eligible entities. For the purpose of improving the effectiveness of the evidence-based reforms or practices carried out by eligible entities pursuant to a grant under this subsection, the Secretary shall make grants to or enter into contracts with one or more organizations to— evaluate the effectiveness of such reforms or practices; and disseminate information on the impact of such reforms or practices in increasing completion and retention activities of students, as well as other appropriate measures. The evaluations required under clause
(i)shall measure the effectiveness of the evidence-based reforms or practices carried out by eligible entities pursuant to a grant under this subsection in— whether such eligible entity implemented the plans, and carried out the activities, described in subparagraph (C); and comparing the completion and retention rates of students who participated in such reforms or practices with the rates of students of similar backgrounds who did not participate in such reforms or practices. Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall submit to the authorizing committees a final report. An institution with branch campuses that is an eligible entity may only receive a grant under this subsection for 1 campus of such institution at a time. There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection, $45,000,000, for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031. ; and by striking sections 742 through 745.
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- 20 USC 1070a–11(h)
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Sec. 321
Postsecondary student success grants
Cite20 USC 1070a–11(h)
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