HR 5458119th CongressIn Committee

CCAMPIS Reauthorization Act

Introduced: Sep 18, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Clark, Katherine M. [D-MA-5] (D-Massachusetts)

Education

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The CCAMPIS Reauthorization Act amends the Child Care Access Means Parents In School Program under the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand and strengthen support for student parents pursuing higher education. The bill authorizes $500 million annually from fiscal years 2026-2031 to provide grants to eligible institutions of higher education for establishing or supporting child care services for low-income student parents. Grants range from $75,000 to $2 million per year for five-year periods. The legislation aims to remove barriers to postsecondary education completion by ensuring student parents have access to affordable, quality child care services, either through campus-based programs or contracted off-campus providers.

Key Points

1Eligibility Requirements: Institutions must have at least 150 Pell Grant-eligible students enrolled; eligible student parents must be Pell Grant recipients or meet Pell Grant financial criteria and be parents/guardians of dependent children
2Authorized Uses: Funds can establish campus-based child care programs, provide subsidized child care using sliding fee scales, offer before/after school services, and enhance program quality to meet Head Start standards or equivalent accreditation
3Quality Standards: Child care programs must meet applicable state/local licensing requirements and achieve high-quality standards (Head Start performance standards, top-tier state quality ratings, or national accreditation) within three years
4Benefits Enrollment Assistance: Institutions must help student parents enroll in federal, state, tribal, or local means-tested benefit programs including SNAP, TANF, WIC, Medicaid, housing assistance, and tax credits
5Comprehensive Reporting: Annual reporting requirements track student parent demographics, retention and graduation rates, fee structures, subsidy percentages, and quality metrics to ensure program effectiveness and accountability

Impact Areas

Student Parents: Approximately 4.8 million student parents nationwide would gain improved access to affordable, quality child care, reducing a major barrier to completing higher educationHigher Education Institutions: Colleges and universities, particularly those serving high numbers of low-income students, would receive substantial federal support to establish or expand child care servicesChild Care Quality: The requirement for programs to meet high-quality standards would improve early childhood education outcomes for children of student parentsEconomic Mobility: By enabling student parents to complete their education, the program would enhance long-term economic prospects for families and reduce intergenerational povertyFederal Budget: Authorization of $500 million annually represents significant investment in education access and workforce development

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