The BASIC Act directs federal agencies to share data and coordinate efforts to help college students access existing assistance programs for basic needs like food, housing, and healthcare. The bill requires the Education Department to notify students who apply for federal financial aid about their potential eligibility for programs including food assistance, housing help, Medicaid, and tax credits, along with instructions on how to apply. The legislation also establishes two grant programs for colleges and universities: planning grants of up to $75,000 to research and develop strategies addressing student food and housing insecurity, and implementation grants of up to $1 million over five years to actually provide services like free meals, temporary housing, and help connecting students to public benefits. The bill authorizes $1 billion annually from fiscal years 2025 through 2031, with at least 25 percent reserved for community colleges and 25 percent for historically Black colleges, tribal colleges, and other minority-serving institutions.
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