Sec. 401. Inclusive student success grants
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Part F of title VII of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as added by section 101 and amended by sections 201 and 202, is further amended by adding at the end the following: In this subpart: The term eligible State means a State that is a recipient of a grant under subpart 1. The term evidence tier 1 , when used with respect to a reform or practice, means a reform or practice that meets the criteria for receiving an expansion grant from the education innovation and research program under section 4611(a)(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as determined by the Secretary in accordance with such section.
The term evidence tier 2 , when used with respect to a reform or practice, means a reform or practice that meets the criteria for receiving a mid-phase grant from the education innovation and research program under section 4611(a)(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as determined by the Secretary in accordance with such section. The term first generation college student has the meaning given the term in section 402A(h)(3). The term eligible institution means— an underfunded institution; or an institution that is— a part B institution (as defined in section 322); a Hispanic-serving institution (as defined in section 502(a)); an Alaska Native-serving institution (as defined in section 317(b)); a Native Hawaiian-serving institution (as defined in section 317(b)); a Predominantly Black Institution (as defined in section 318(b)); an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution (as defined in section 320(b)); or a Native American-serving, nontribal institution (as defined in section 319(b)).
The term Tribal College or University has the meaning given the term in section 316. The term underfunded institution means a public 2-year institution of higher education or public 4-year institution of higher education that receives less than the national average of State appropriations per full-time equivalent student. The Secretary shall award grants to eligible States and Tribal Colleges and Universities to improve student outcomes by carrying out or scaling the activities described in section 804.
From amounts appropriated to carry out this subpart, the Secretary shall— distribute 10 percent of the appropriated amount in any fiscal year for grants to Tribal Colleges or Universities, which shall be distributed according to the formula in section 316(d)(3)(B), to carry out the activities described in section 804 to implement reforms or practices that meet evidence tier 1 or evidence tier 2; use 2 percent of the appropriated amount in any fiscal year to evaluate the effectiveness of the activities carried out under this subpart; distribute 60 percent of the appropriated amount in any fiscal year to award competitive grants to eligible States to carry out activities described in section 804; distribute 18 percent of the appropriated amount in any fiscal year to supplement the competitive grant amounts awarded to eligible States under paragraph
(3)to implement reforms or practices that meet evidence tier 1; and distribute 10 percent of the appropriated amount in any fiscal year to supplement the competitive grant amounts awarded to eligible States under paragraph
(3)to implement reforms or practices that meet evidence tier 1 or evidence tier 2, or a combination of such reforms or practices. An eligible State or Tribal College or University that desires to receive a grant under this subpart shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require. The application shall include, at a minimum, a description of— in the case of an eligible State, how the eligible State will— prioritize spending for underfunded institutions in the State and close gaps in State appropriations per full-time equivalent student with respect to institutions in the State described in section 800(4)(B); and sustain such reforms or practices; and in the case of an eligible State or Tribal College or University, how the eligible State or Tribal College or University will use the funds to implement or expand evidence-based reforms or practices funded by a grant under this subpart to improve student outcomes at eligible institutions in such State or the Tribal College or University. In awarding grants under this subpart, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible States that propose to use a significant share of grant funds to improve enrollment, retention, transfer, or completion rates or labor market outcomes among students with disparate outcomes, such as students of color, low-income students, students with disabilities, students in need of remediation, first generation college students, student parents, and other underserved student populations in such State. In awarding grants under this subpart to eligible States, the Secretary shall determine grant amounts based on the number of students enrolled at eligible institutions in the State who receive a Federal Pell Grant. An eligible State or Tribal College or University that receives a grant under this subpart shall, directly or in collaboration with institutions of higher education and other nonprofit organizations, use the grant funds to implement evidence-based reforms or practices, which may include one or more of the following: Providing comprehensive academic, career, and student support services, including mentoring, advising, or case management services. Providing assistance in applying for and accessing direct support services, financial assistance, or means-tested benefit programs to meet the basic needs of students. Providing accelerated learning opportunities, including dual or concurrent enrollment programs and early college high school programs. Reforming remedial or developmental education, course scheduling, or credit awarding policies. Improving transfer pathways between community colleges and 4-year institutions of higher education in the eligible State, or, in the case of a Tribal College or University, between the Tribal College or University and other institutions of higher education. Making investments in academic advisors, mental health counselors, trauma-informed care, and tutors. Reducing class sizes. The Secretary shall require eligible States or Tribal Colleges or Universities that receive funds under this subpart to set goals regarding student outcomes. The Secretary shall track progress in improving student outcomes for eligible States that receive grants under this subpart, including conducting independent evaluations of support programs funded under this subpart. As a condition of continuing to receive funds under this subpart, for each year in which an eligible State participates in the program under this subpart, the eligible State shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the eligible State has made adequate progress in implementing or expanding evidence-based reforms or practices, and improving enrollment, retention, transfer, or completion rates or labor market outcomes among students with disparate outcomes, such as students of color, low-income students, students with disabilities, students in need of remediation, first generation college students, student parents, and other underserved student populations in such State. Grant funds awarded under this subpart shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, other Federal, State, Tribal, local, and institutional funds that would otherwise be expended to carry out activities assisted under this subpart. There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subpart— such sums as may be necessary for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025; $10,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2026; and such sums as may be necessary for each of the following fiscal years. .