HR5458-119

What This Bill Does

The CCAMPIS Reauthorization Act substantially rewrites the Child Care Access Means Parents in School program. The purpose is to help eligible student parents succeed in postsecondary education by supporting child care services, including campus-based child care. The Education Department may award grants to eligible institutions, generally institutions of higher education with at least 150 Pell Grant-eligible students in the most recently completed award year or consortia of those institutions. Grants must be at least $75,000 per year and no more than $2 million per year, run for five years, and may continue annually when institutions show a good-faith effort to ensure affordable, quality child care access. Funds can establish or support campus-based child care, subsidized child care on a sliding fee scale, before- and after-school services, support services for student parents, and other child-care access activities. The bill adds reporting and nondiscrimination requirements and authorizes $500 million for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031.

Who Benefits and How

Student parents benefit because colleges can use CCAMPIS grants to subsidize child care while they stay enrolled. Campus child care centers benefit from five-year federal grants that can support operations and expansion. Pell Grant student populations benefit because institutional eligibility is tied to having at least 150 Pell-eligible students. Children of student parents benefit from more affordable and accessible child care connected to postsecondary attendance.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Education Department grant staff must administer larger five-year CCAMPIS grants, continuation awards, reports, and nondiscrimination conditions. Colleges receiving CCAMPIS funds must document student-parent access, child-care activities, and good-faith efforts. Federal taxpayers fund the $500 million annual authorization for fiscal years 2026 through 2031. Institutions with fewer than 150 Pell-eligible students face exclusion unless they join an eligible consortium.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes CCAMPIS grants of $75,000 to $2 million per year for five years.
• Requires eligible institutions to have at least 150 Pell Grant-eligible students or participate through a consortium.
• Funds campus child care, sliding-scale subsidies, before- and after-school services, and support services for student parents.
• Requires reporting, continuation-award review, and nondiscrimination compliance.
• Authorizes $500 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2031.