Colleges could compete for grants to help survivors of violence

The education secretary would award grants through a competitive process. Only colleges and universities meeting the referenced Higher Education Act definition could receive grants to support student survivors of sexual assault or other violence. Congress would need to provide funding. Priority would favor community colleges, qualifying minority-serving colleges, and colleges with past violations of Title IX, a federal education law. Each grant would last five years. The proposal would authorize funding for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

Grant recipients would spend the money on one or more approved services. Services would support students who survived sexual assault or other violence. Services described as patient-centered would recognize trauma and avoid causing survivors to relive it.

Colleges would report to the education secretary, whose report to Congress would include graduation and re-enrollment rates. College reports would list support requested and received by students who reported sexual assault or other violence during the grant, plus graduation and re-enrollment rates for survivors enrolled then. College reports would be due at each grant’s end. The secretary’s report would be due within one year after the program ends.