To provide additional funding for scholarships for students at 1890 institutions, and for other purposes. | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 1271
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 1271Agriculture and Food
To provide additional funding for scholarships for students at 1890 institutions, and for other purposes.
INTRO FEB 12· LAST ACTION MAR 28
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
19
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill matters because it significantly boosts financial support for students pursuing higher education at historically Black land-grant universities. This can directly make college more affordable and accessible for many students, especially those from underserved backgrounds who might otherwise struggle to cover tuition and other costs.
By providing a consistent, mandatory stream of $15 million annually, the bill ensures long-term stability for these scholarship programs. This allows both students and universities to plan for the future with greater certainty, fostering the development of a diverse and well-educated workforce in critical sectors like agriculture. If this bill doesn't pass, the scholarship funding would remain lower and less predictable, potentially limiting opportunities for students and hindering the growth and impact of these important institutions.
KEY PROVISIONS
3AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
The bill explicitly allows scholarships to cover programs leading to a bachelor's or graduate degree.
This broadens the scope of educational opportunities funded by the scholarships, supporting students through advanced studies.
PROVISION 02
It establishes $15 million in mandatory funding each fiscal year, starting in 2025, from the Commodity Credit Corporation for these scholarships.
This provides a guaranteed, permanent, and substantial funding source that does not depend on annual congressional approval.
PROVISION 03
The bill removes the expiration date for discretionary funding for these scholarships, making it available indefinitely.
This allows Congress to provide additional funding beyond the mandatory amount in future years without needing to reauthorize the program's availability.
This bill matters because it significantly boosts financial support for students pursuing higher education at historically Black land-grant universities. This can directly make college more affordable and accessible for many students, especially those from underserved backgrounds who might otherwise struggle to cover tuition and other costs.
By providing a consistent, mandatory stream of $15 million annually, the bill ensures long-term stability for these scholarship programs. This allows both students and universities to plan for the future with greater certainty, fostering the development of a diverse and well-educated workforce in critical sectors like agriculture. If this bill doesn't pass, the scholarship funding would remain lower and less predictable, potentially limiting opportunities for students and hindering the growth and impact of these important institutions.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
med
The bill explicitly allows scholarships to cover programs leading to a bachelor's or graduate degree.
This broadens the scope of educational opportunities funded by the scholarships, supporting students through advanced studies.
high
It establishes $15 million in mandatory funding each fiscal year, starting in 2025, from the Commodity Credit Corporation for these scholarships.
This provides a guaranteed, permanent, and substantial funding source that does not depend on annual congressional approval.
med
The bill removes the expiration date for discretionary funding for these scholarships, making it available indefinitely.
This allows Congress to provide additional funding beyond the mandatory amount in future years without needing to reauthorize the program's availability.
A group of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that were designated as land-grant universities under the Second Morrill Act of 1890, focusing on agricultural and mechanical arts education.
Scholarship
Financial aid awarded to students to help pay for their education, which does not need to be repaid.
Mandatory Funding
Government funding that is automatically spent each year without needing annual approval from Congress, often based on existing laws like eligibility rules.
Discretionary Funding
Government funding that Congress must approve annually through appropriations bills, allowing flexibility in spending decisions each year.
Fiscal Year
A 12-month period used by governments for budgeting and accounting purposes. The U.S. federal fiscal year runs from October 1st to September 30th.
Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC)
A wholly owned government corporation within the U.S. Department of Agriculture that finances and supports various agricultural programs, including farm subsidies and commodity price support.
Land-grant universities
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTS
MAR 28, 25
Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology.
Institutions of higher education in the United States designated by a state to receive the benefits of the Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890, which provided federal land or funds for the establishment of colleges focusing on agriculture, mechanical arts, and military science.
