To provide grants to Historically Black colleges and universities for such colleges and universities to provide scholarships to students who are descended from a person who was enslaved in the United States, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · August 3, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
The Heritage Legacy Act directs the Secretary of Education to award grants to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) starting in fiscal year 2027 to fund scholarships for students who are descendants of enslaved people in the United States. Each HBCU would receive grant funding equal to the total tuition costs of all qualified students, and the schools would provide direct scholarships covering tuition for up to 12 semesters. To qualify, students must provide documentation showing that at least one-quarter of their ancestry comes from someone who was enslaved in the United States, verified through historical census records or other evidence approved by the Secretary of Education. The bill authorizes unlimited appropriations for the program, with 5 percent of annual funding reserved for verification costs and administrative expenses at the schools. The legislation also amends federal financial aid rules so that scholarships awarded under this program do not reduce students' eligibility for other federal aid.
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