SUCCESS Act of 2026
- Sponsor
- Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
- Committees
- Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Sep 30, 2026
Bottom line
The SUCCESS Act of 2026 aims to improve academic outcomes and retention for student survivors of sexual assault and other violence by funding specialized, trauma-informed academic and mental health support services at colleges and universities.
What it actually does
This bill establishes a new competitive grant program, administered by the Secretary of Education, for institutions of higher education. The grants are intended to fund the implementation of patient-centered academic counseling and other support services specifically for student survivors of sexual assault and other violence. The bill defines what 'patient-centered' means in this context and outlines specific priorities for grant awards, including institutions with Title IX violations, community colleges, and minority-serving institutions.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that sexual assault significantly impacts student survivors' academic performance, leading to lower grade point averages, difficulty with self-regulated learning, and higher dropout rates due to associated trauma and mental health challenges. This bill provides crucial, targeted academic and mental health support, which is essential for improving retention and ensuring the educational success of a vulnerable student population that often lacks specialized academic accommodations.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that while the goal of supporting student survivors is laudable, establishing a new federal grant program adds to government spending and bureaucracy. They may contend that institutions should already be providing these essential services or that existing federal funding mechanisms could be leveraged more effectively to support survivors without creating new legislation and a new competitive grant process.
The bill is concise and clearly written, making it accessible for a quick but thorough review by an informed reader.
Sec. 3, Part BB, Sec. 898A(b)
Establishment of Competitive Grant Program
This section authorizes the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants to eligible institutions of higher education. The grants are specifically for implementing patient-centered academic counseling and other support services for student survivors of sexual assault and other violence. Each grant awarded under this program will have a term of 5 years.
Supporters argue
Establishing a dedicated grant program ensures that institutions have the necessary resources to develop and implement specialized, trauma-informed support systems that are currently lacking, directly addressing the academic challenges faced by survivors.
Critics contend
Some might argue that a new grant program creates an additional layer of bureaucracy and that institutions should be able to fund these services through existing budgets or other federal programs, rather than relying on new, competitive grants.
Tradeoffs
This provision balances the critical need for specialized support for student survivors with concerns about the expansion of federal funding mechanisms and potential administrative burdens on institutions.
Sec. 3, Part BB, Sec. 898A(a)(2)
Definition of 'Patient-Centered' Services
This provision defines what 'patient-centered' means when referring to services for student survivors of sexual assault or other violence. It specifies that such services must recognize the widespread impact of trauma, identify signs and symptoms of trauma, integrate trauma knowledge into policies and practices, and actively avoid re-traumatizing individuals by creating supportive environments.
Sec. 3, Part BB, Sec. 898A(d)
Priority for Grant Awards
When awarding grants under this program, the Secretary of Education is directed to give priority to specific types of institutions. These include institutions of higher education with a history of violations of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, community colleges, and minority-serving institutions (such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Tribal Colleges and Universities).
Sec. 3, Part BB, Sec. 898A(e)
Permissible Uses of Grant Funds
This section specifies six ways in which eligible institutions receiving grants must use the funds. These include providing higher education re-entry assistance for student survivors, increasing training for faculty and administrators on patient-centered care and trauma recognition, offering professional development for academic advisors, providing academic accommodations (such as confidential tutoring), increasing mental health services, and creating or enhancing a fund for wrap-around services for survivors.
This section defines 'sexual assault' by referencing an existing federal statute, section 485(f)(6)(A) of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
Sec. 3, Part BB, Sec. 898A(a)(3)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice to ensure legal consistency and avoid reprinting lengthy definitions, thereby maintaining coherence with existing federal definitions of sexual assault.
Case for: Using an established definition ensures legal consistency and clarity, aligning the bill's scope with existing federal frameworks for addressing sexual assault.
Case against: Requires an additional step for the reader to fully understand the precise legal scope of 'sexual assault' as it applies to the bill, potentially hindering immediate comprehension.
Estimated impact: Ensures the bill's coverage of sexual assault aligns with existing federal definitions, impacting which incidents and survivors are eligible for services under the grant program.