S. 5660: Support for Universities and Colleges to Champion the Educational Success of Survivors Act of 2026

This bill would create a new federal grant program for colleges and universities to help student survivors of sexual assault and other violence stay enrolled and succeed academically.

What the program would do

The Secretary of Education would award competitive grants to eligible colleges and universities for 5 years. The purpose would be to help schools set up or expand patient-centered academic counseling services and related support for student survivors.

What “patient-centered” means in this bill

The bill defines patient-centered services as services that:

• recognize the emotional, behavioral, developmental, and legal effects of trauma;
• recognize signs of trauma in students, families, and staff;
• build trauma awareness into school policies and procedures; and
• avoid actions or environments that could unintentionally retraumatize survivors.

How schools would apply

Schools seeking a grant would have to submit an application describing:

• how they would tell students about the available services;
• how they would train faculty and staff to support survivors and connect them with help; and
• how they would coordinate counseling and tutoring services for survivors.

How grant priority would be given

The Education Secretary would give priority to:

• schools with a history of Title IX violations;
• community colleges; and
• minority-serving institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Tribal Colleges and Universities.

What grant money could be used for

Schools receiving grants could use the money for one or more of the following:

• helping survivors return to school after taking leave or withdrawing;
• training faculty and administrators to recognize trauma and connect students to support;
• training academic advisors and counselors in trauma-informed practices;
• providing academic accommodations, including confidential tutoring programs;
• expanding mental health services for survivors; and
• creating or expanding a fund for wrap-around services for survivors.

Reporting requirements

At the end of the grant period, each participating school would have to report to the Education Department on:

• what accommodations students requested and received;
• graduation and re-enrollment rates for student survivors; and
• other information the Secretary requires.

The Education Secretary would also have to submit a report to Congress within one year after the program ends, including graduation and re-enrollment data to assess the program’s effectiveness.

Funding

The bill would authorize whatever money is needed for fiscal year 2027 and the four following fiscal years.

Relevant Companies

None found