Representative Norma J. Torres introduces H.R. 10612: Basic Assistance for Students In College Act of 2026

We have received text from H.R. 10612: Basic Assistance for Students In College Act of 2026. This bill was received on 2026-09-24, and currently has 20 cosponsors.

Here is a short summary of the bill:

This bill would create new federal grants to help colleges and universities address students’ basic needs, such as food, housing, health care, child care, transportation, internet access, clothing, and hygiene items.

Grant program for colleges

The Department of Education would award two kinds of competitive grants to eligible colleges and universities:

• Planning grants of up to $200,000 for up to 2 years.
• Implementation grants of up to $5 million over 5 years.

Planning grants would help schools study unmet student needs, form a steering committee, and create a strategy to respond. Implementation grants would help schools put that strategy into action.

What schools could use the money for

Schools receiving implementation grants would have to carry out at least two approved activities, which could include:

• Free or reduced-price food, housing, or temporary sleeping arrangements for students.
• Priority access to on-campus child care.
• Outreach to reduce stigma around using support services.
• Help with applying for public benefit programs.
• Case management and training to help students and families get the assistance they qualify for.
• Working with government agencies and nonprofits to coordinate services.
• Buying equipment, transportation, materials, or facilities that help reduce food and housing insecurity.
• Hiring and training staff to manage these services.

Who gets priority

The bill would reserve at least 25% of grant funding for community colleges and at least 25% for historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and other minority-serving institutions. It would also give priority to schools with larger shares of Pell Grant-eligible students and to certain institutions defined in existing higher education law. The bill also says grants should be distributed across states in a way that reflects state population.

Rules for schools receiving grants

Schools could not use these grants to reduce a student’s existing institutional grant aid just because the student receives certain public benefits. For implementation grants, schools would also have to identify a non-federal funding source to keep the work going after the grant ends.

Student benefit program outreach and data sharing

The bill would require the Education Department to work with federal and state agencies on data-sharing agreements so students who may qualify for public assistance can be identified and informed about it. These agreements would be used to:

• Identify applicants who may qualify for certain federally funded benefit programs.
• Notify students who may be newly eligible.
• Remind students who already receive benefits about renewal or recertification.
• Help coordinate enrollment and preliminary eligibility checks.

The bill lists many programs that could be included, such as SNAP, SSI, TANF, WIC, Medicaid, housing assistance, child care assistance, school lunch benefits, the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit, and certain education tax benefits. It also allows the Secretary to include other federally funded programs that support students’ basic needs.

Student consent and privacy

The bill would let applicants authorize the Education Department to share certain application information with agencies that administer benefit programs, so those agencies can estimate or determine eligibility. The bill says any information shared under these agreements could be used only for the specified purposes and could not be used for criminal or civil investigations or other unrelated purposes.

New reporting requirements

The bill would require the Education Department to publish national reports on student food, housing, and other basic-needs insecurity. These reports would include statistics based on students who applied for federal financial aid, broken down by factors such as race and ethnicity, income, Pell Grant eligibility, disability status, student-parent status, sex, military or veteran status, and, when possible, state.

The Department would also have to report to Congress on progress in connecting students to benefit programs, and on any barriers or problems found.

Evaluation and dissemination

The Department would have to evaluate the grant program and publish reports on its effects on student retention, progression, transfers, completion, and basic-needs security. The Department would also share best practices with schools.

Funding

The bill would authorize $1 billion per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2033, including $40 million per year for planning grants and $960 million per year for implementation grants.

Relevant Companies

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Representative Norma J. Torres Bill Proposals

Here are some bills which have recently been proposed by Representative Norma J. Torres:

• H.R.10612: BASIC Act of 2026
• H.R.10294: Better Pay for American Workers Act
• H.R.10009: BAD Act
• H.R.9375: Honor Their Service Act
• H.R.8156: National Parent and Youth Helpline Act
• H.R.6954: January 6th Truth and Transparency Act

You can track bills proposed by Representative Norma J. Torres on Investivoq's politician page for Torres.

Representative Norma J. Torres Net Worth

Investivoq estimates that Representative Norma J. Torres is worth $115.5K, as of October 6th, 2026. This is the 459th highest net worth in Congress, per our live estimates.

Torres has approximately $0 invested in publicly traded assets which Investivoq is able to track live.

You can track Representative Norma J. Torres's net worth on Investivoq's politician page for Torres.

2026 California's 35th Congressional District Election

There has been approximately $849,913 of spending in California's 35th congressional district elections over the last two years, per our estimates.

The rating for this race is currently "Solid D".

You can track this election on our matchup page for the 2026 California's 35th congressional district election.

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