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Will the New SUCCESS Act of 2026 Change How US Colleges Support Abuse Survivors?
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Key points
- Senate Bill 5660 proposes five-year competitive grants for higher education institutions to support student survivors of violence.
- The legislation prioritizes community colleges, minority-serving institutions, and colleges with a history of Title IX violations.
- Participating schools must track and report student survivor retention, re-enrollment, and graduation outcomes.
NewsWK — College campuses across the United States could soon see new federal funding to support student survivors of violence. A newly introduced Senate bill aims to establish a competitive grant program for higher education institutions.
How Will the SUCCESS Act of 2026 Affect Local College Campuses?
This proposed legislation will direct federal funds to local colleges and universities to establish specialized, patient-centered academic counseling. If passed, the bill will allow local institutions to apply for five-year competitive grants. These funds will directly support students who have survived sexual assault or other forms of violence.
The funding targets several critical areas to help survivors continue their education. Specifically, local campuses can use these college grants for sexual assault survivors to implement:
- Postsecondary re-entry assistance for students returning to their studies.
- Professional development for faculty and administrators on trauma-informed care.
- Academic accommodations, including confidential tutoring programs.
- Mental health services and wrap-around support.
What is the Legislative History of Senate Bill 5660?
Senate Bill 5660, officially known as the Support for Universities and Colleges to Champion the Educational Success of Survivors Act, was introduced on September 30, 2026. This federal initiative seeks to address student retention and graduation rates among survivors of campus violence.
Who is Sponsoring the Senator Tim Kaine SUCCESS Act?
Senator Tim Kaine introduced the measure alongside cosponsors Cory Booker and Dick Durbin. Meanwhile, Representative Debbie Dingell introduced companion legislation, H.R. 10664, in the House of Representatives on October 1, 2026. The bill prioritizes community colleges, minority-serving institutions, and schools with past Title IX violations.
Furthermore, the bill mandates strict reporting requirements for participating institutions. Schools must submit evaluations tracking student survivor retention, academic accommodations, re-enrollment, and graduation outcomes. This ensures federal grant money directly correlates with improved academic success.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
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Related: Will the SUCCESS Act of 2026 Help College Students Nationwide?
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