Native American Education Opportunity Act (HR-84)

Native American Education Opportunity Act (HR-84) · Congress.wiki

This proposal would let federally recognized Tribes create education savings accounts (ESAs) for Native American students. At a Tribe’s request, the Departments of Education and the Interior would send funds starting in the 2025–2026 school year; students who apply on or after January 1, 2025 can participate. Each eligible student would receive $8,000 per year in a Tribal ESA, and Tribes may work with a nonprofit to help run the accounts. Families could use the money for tutoring (including Native language and culture), private or online school, part‑time classes at a public school, textbooks and technology, test fees, therapies, and some college or job‑training costs; unused funds roll over year to year. An ESA generally ends if a student enrolls full‑time in public school, finishes school or turns 25 (26 if the student has a disability), or if the account is unused for two years; the aid is for the student (not the school) and is not counted as income for federal taxes or benefits .

The bill also lets the Bureau of Indian Education approve and fund charter schools at any BIE‑operated or BIE‑funded school. Tribes may use BIE buildings and can subcontract with Tribal organizations or other developers to manage or run these schools.

Who is affected: Native American students who apply through the Tribe they’re enrolled in; Tribes that choose to run ESA programs; BIE schools and future BIE‑funded charter schools .
Eligibility basics: Students tied to BIE schools may qualify, and students using an ESA cannot be enrolled full‑time in public school at the same time, under program rules summarized here.
How it works: Tribes must distribute ESA funds twice a year and may use up to 5% for program administration; states must count ESA students as meeting school attendance rules, and if a student takes some public‑school classes, ESA funds pay those costs.
Funding: A small share—one‑half of one percent—of certain federal education funds is set aside for Tribes that run these ESA programs.
When: Applications start January 1, 2025; the program begins with the 2025–2026 school year; an independent GAO review is due in three years; the authority to run the program ends after five years unless renewed .

Native American Education Opportunity Act

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