General Summary of the Bill

The "Basic Assistance for Students In College Act," or the "BASIC Act," aims to support the basic needs of students in higher education institutions by facilitating access to federally funded aid programs. The bill proposes mechanisms for data sharing among federal agencies to identify students eligible for these programs, such as food assistance, healthcare, and housing support. Additionally, it establishes grant programs to assist educational institutions in meeting student needs more effectively. These grants will mainly focus on planning and implementing strategies to alleviate issues like food insecurity and housing insecurity among students.

Summary of Significant Issues

A notable area of concern within the bill is its complexity, involving coordination between numerous federal agencies. This could result in increased administrative overhead and possible inefficiencies in resource management. The bill also permits substantial discretion to the Secretary of Education regarding eligible programs, which may lead to favoritism or lack of focused spending. Vague language in describing participating agencies and covered needs could further complicate implementation and clarity.

Reservations for specific institutions and requirements for non-Federal funding mechanisms might create disparities in funding opportunities, which could disadvantage less wealthy or smaller institutions. There are also concerns about how data security and privacy will be maintained, given the extensive data sharing and reporting mandates.

Potential Impact on the Public

Broadly speaking, this bill could significantly impact college students by providing them greater access to essential resources, thereby enabling them to focus more on their education than on survival needs. If successfully implemented, the increased support can alleviate stress and improve academic outcomes for students facing economic hardships. Moreover, the comprehensive data reporting and sharing could improve policy decisions and resource allocation in the education sector.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For students, especially those from low-income or disadvantaged backgrounds, the bill could provide much-needed support in accessing food, housing, healthcare, and other basic needs. This support could improve their academic performance and reduce dropout rates due to financial difficulties. Educational institutions, especially community colleges and minority-serving institutions, could benefit from the reserved funds, allowing them to better support their diverse student populations.

However, smaller institutions with less financial capability might struggle to meet the requirements for ongoing funding, which could marginalize these institutions. The broad discretion given to the Secretary and complex terminology might lead to inconsistencies in how benefits are applied, affecting equitable distribution of resources. Additionally, the public, or more specifically, taxpayers, might be concerned about the potential for increased administrative costs and inefficient allocation without clear guidelines and success metrics.

Overall, while the bill has the potential to offer substantial benefits to students and educational institutions, its complexity and the potential for unequal application require careful consideration and management to ensure its successful and fair implementation.

The bill H.R. 9669, also known as the "Basic Assistance for Students In College Act" or the "BASIC Act," introduces several financial components focused on supporting students' basic needs at institutions of higher education. These financial elements are primarily addressed through grants intended to cover students' necessities such as food, housing, and healthcare.

Allocation of Grants

The bill proposes the establishment of both planning and implementation grants to address students' basic needs:

• Planning Grants: The legislation specifies that up to $75,000 can be allocated for each planning grant. These funds will enable eligible institutions to research and develop strategies for reducing students' food and housing insecurities, among other basic needs. The grant period for planning is capped at two years, allowing institutions to assess unmet needs and plan accordingly.

• Implementation Grants: For implementation, institutions may receive up to $1,000,000 per five-year period. These grants support the infrastructure development necessary to meet students’ basic needs, involving activities such as providing food and housing, conducting outreach, and hiring necessary personnel. Notably, the implementation grants require institutions to identify ongoing non-Federal funding mechanisms to ensure sustainability beyond the grant period.

Authorization of Appropriations

The bill authorizes a significant allocation of $1,000,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2025 to 2031. This amount is divided into $40,000,000 for planning grants and $960,000,000 for implementation grants, highlighting a strong emphasis on the latter. These financial allocations are aimed at supporting a wide range of institutions across the United States.

Relation to Identified Issues

Several issues arise concerning the financial components of the bill:

1. Complexity and Administrative Challenges: The involvement of multiple federal agencies could potentially lead to complicated coordination efforts and increased administrative expenses. Without efficient management, there is a risk of wasteful spending, which could detract from effectively addressing students’ needs.

2. Broad Scope of "Basic Needs": The bill's definition of 'basic needs' is intentionally broad, covering a wide array of necessities. However, this breadth can lead to inconsistent applications and interpretations, affecting the financial accountability and effectiveness of how the allocated funds are used.

3. Equitable Distribution Concerns: Although 25% of the allocated funds are reserved for community colleges and minority-serving institutions, this reservation might not fully consider the specific needs or impacts on other institutions. An absence of clear metrics for success in utilizing the $960,000,000 for implementation grants could result in inefficient spending practices.

4. Disparities in Institutional Resources: The requirement for institutions to identify non-Federal funding for sustainability may disadvantage smaller or less affluent colleges, potentially exacerbating inequalities in how financial resources are distributed and utilized.

By addressing these financial allocations and the related issues, stakeholders and policymakers can better understand the potential impacts and effectiveness of the bill in supporting students' basic needs.