Expand Study Abroad Access and Diversity

Summary#

This bill creates the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program at the Department of State. It renames an existing program (the IDEAS Program or any successor) and establishes a competitive grant program to expand study abroad participation, especially for underrepresented students and in less common destinations. The broad goal is to increase the number and diversity of U.S. undergraduate students who study abroad and to send more students to developing and nontraditional destinations.

• Main change: Establishes and expands a State Department-run, competitive grant program for colleges and consortia to increase study abroad access and diversity.
• Targets: Aims that within 10 years at least 1,000,000 U.S. undergraduates study abroad annually and that participant demographics reflect the U.S. undergraduate population.
• Funding: Authorizes “such sums as may be necessary” beginning in fiscal year 2027 (no dollar amount specified).
• Who runs it: The Secretary of State administers the program under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act.
• Program rules: Grants must fund direct student costs, include plans to expand and sustain participation, include evaluation plans, and follow health, safety, and security guidelines informed by Department of State travel advisories and other federal resources.
• Priorities: The Secretary may prioritize minority-serving institutions, certain eligible institutions under the Higher Education Act, and programs with strong world-language learning.

What it means for you#

• Students (undergraduates, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, and certain eligible noncitizens):

  • Could see more grant-supported study abroad opportunities, especially if you are low-income, a student of color, a first-generation student, a community college student, or a student with a disability.
  • Eligible programs must carry academic credit; participating students could get grants to help pay direct costs of study abroad.

• Institutions of higher education and consortia:

  • Can apply for competitive grants to expand study abroad programs, especially those that increase diversity and send students to nontraditional destinations.
  • Must submit plans showing institutional commitment, evaluation methods, sustainability of increases, and health/safety procedures.
  • Institutions that are minority-serving, part of certain capacity-building programs, or that emphasize world languages may get priority.

• Department of State:

  • Will rename and enhance the existing IDEAS Program (or successor) and run the new grant program.
  • Must consult with colleges and experts and submit an annual report to relevant congressional committees.

• Community and destinations abroad:

  • The bill encourages more programs in nontraditional and developing countries, which could increase educational and local economic activity in those destinations.

• Taxpayers:

  • The program could increase federal spending on study abroad grants, but the bill does not specify dollar amounts.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

• The bill authorizes appropriations of “such sums as may be necessary” beginning in FY2027 but does not include a fiscal estimate or a set funding level.
• The program would likely require federal grant funds to institutions and added administrative staff and oversight at the Department of State.
• Institutions that apply may face administrative and compliance costs to prepare applications, run expanded programs, and meet evaluation and safety requirements.

Proponents' View#

• The bill appears intended to increase the number of U.S. students with international experience and world-language skills needed for the global economy.
• A possible argument for the bill is that a competitive grant program will encourage college leaders and faculty to make study abroad a routine part of undergraduate education.
• The bill emphasizes increasing access for underrepresented students, which could make study abroad more equitable.
• Encouraging study abroad in nontraditional and developing countries could broaden students’ perspectives and U.S. engagement abroad.
• Requiring health, safety, and security planning aims to protect students while they study overseas.

Opponents' View#

• One concern is that the bill does not specify how much money Congress will provide; the “such sums as may be necessary” authorization leaves program scale uncertain.
• The target of 1,000,000 undergraduates studying abroad annually is ambitious; the bill does not explain how that precise target will be met or measured.
• The definition of “nontraditional study abroad destination” is left to the Secretary of State, which could create unpredictability about which countries qualify.
• The bill gives limited detail on grant sizes, selection criteria, monitoring, or long-term oversight of funded programs.
• Expanding programs to certain destinations may raise practical safety or liability questions; while the bill requires safety guidelines, it does not set specific standards or enforcement mechanisms.
• Institutions may face extra administrative burdens to meet the application, evaluation, and sustainability requirements without guaranteed long-term funding.