IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act

Sponsor: Tim Scott (Republican-SC)May 14, 2026

AI-generated ?

Report an error

Introduced

In Committee

Passed One Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Signed into Law

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Creates new grants for Historically Black Colleges and Universities to upgrade campuses and repay certain loans.

This bill would set up a new grant program to help Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) improve their buildings, technology, and infrastructure. It would also pay off certain existing loans for these schools. This means students and staff at HBCUs could see safer, more modern campuses and better learning tools.

What Would Change

Today, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) can get loans for campus improvements but lack a broad competitive grant program for long-term facility and technology upgrades. This bill would create a new grant program to provide direct funding for these improvements. It would also repay the outstanding balances on certain existing loans for HBCUs, easing their financial burden related to past construction projects.

Key Provisions

Awards competitive grants to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for long-term improvements to their buildings, technology, and infrastructure.
Repays the outstanding balance of principal, interest, fees, and costs on certain undisbursed loans for HBCUs under an existing federal program.
Requires HBCUs applying for grants to submit detailed plans on how projects would reduce health and safety risks and improve facilities.
Prioritizes grants for HBCUs with the greatest need for campus improvements. It would also prioritize those with limited ability to raise funds or many students who qualify for Federal Pell Grants.
Lets HBCUs use grant funds for a wide range of projects, including modernizing classrooms, labs, dorms, and installing high-speed broadband internet.

View on Congress.gov

S 4528 · 119th Congress · May 14, 2026 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 9/10

IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act

What Would Change

Key Provisions

Lobbying Activity