The bill would create the Mental Health Excellence in Schools Program. It would let eligible graduate institutions and the Department of Education share the cost of attendance for students training in school-based mental health fields, such as school counseling, school social work, and school psychology. Institutions would choose students for assistance and prioritize students who received a Federal Pell Grant as undergraduates or attended certain listed institutions. Participating institutions would report on students served, tuition covered, and, when applicable, graduation and employment outcomes. The Department would report to Congress and arrange an independent evaluation.
Graduate students in eligible programs could receive cost-of-attendance assistance if their institution participates and selects them. The bill does not guarantee assistance to every eligible student. It directs the Department of Education to share information about participating institutions online and conduct outreach to certain students.
The bill authorizes $20 million for fiscal year 2026, $30 million for 2027, and $50 million for each year from 2028 through 2030. The Department could contribute up to 50 percent of a participating student's cost of attendance when the institution agrees to match its contribution. These amounts are authorizations, not a statement that the funds have been provided.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.