Bill would shift college grant programs from Education to Labor Department

What does this do?

This bill transfers oversight of major college and university grant programs, including TRIO, GEAR UP, HBCU support, Hispanic-Serving Institutions' STEM programs, disability student aid, and veteran student success centers, from the Department of Education to the Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. It also eliminates several smaller programs entirely, including the Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program, the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program, the College Access Challenge Grant Program, and Project Grad. The changes take effect six months after enactment, though transfer work could begin immediately.

Who does it affect?

Colleges, universities, and nonprofits receiving these federal grants, along with first-generation, low-income, minority, disabled, and veteran students, would be affected. Department of Education employees working on these programs would be reassigned to the Department of Labor.

Why does it matter?

Existing rules, grants, contracts, and legal cases would continue without restarting, but students and institutions relying on the eliminated programs, such as state grant-matching funds or certain scholarships, would lose that funding source.

Where does it stand?