Sponsor
Herbert C. Conaway
Representative · D-NJ
Representative · D-NJ
The bill invests federal dollars and clearer rules to expand paid internships, scholarships, and recognition for youth service—benefiting many students and local governments—while increasing federal spending, administrative burdens, and the risk that design choices will produce uneven access or exclude some organizations.
Students gain direct financial support through a federal scholarship program ($100M authorized annually) that provides $1,000–$3,000 per year (renewable), reducing out‑of‑pocket college costs for many undergraduates.
Secondary and undergraduate students can access paid internships in local governments (federally funded at $50M/year FY2026–2030), providing income, work experience, and coordination with colleges for educational credit.
The bill creates clearer program rules and predictable funding (annual authorizations and statutory definitions), simplifying administration and helping States, institutions, and local governments plan and participate.
Taxpayers face increased federal spending (combined scholarship and internship authorizations), raising opportunity costs and potential pressure on other priorities.
Design and administration choices risk uneven access: leaving pay/selection to grantees, setting volunteer‑hour thresholds, and recognition programs that favor well‑resourced schools could disadvantage low‑income, working, or rural students.
Significant administrative burden and costs will fall on States, local governments, and the Department of Education to apply for, run, and report on grants and recognition programs, straining capacity—especially for small jurisdictions.
Based on analysis of 5 sections of legislative text.
Creates federal grants for paid local‑government internships and a volunteer-service scholarship program, plus a school recognition program; authorizes $50M and $100M annually (FY2026–FY2030).
Official title: To direct the Secretary of Education to carry out grant programs to encourage student participation in local government and volunteer service, and for other purposes.
Introduced September 11, 2025 by Herbert C. Conaway · Last progress September 11, 2025
Creates federal programs to expand paid local government internships for high school and eligible undergraduate students, provide competitive scholarships for students with demonstrated volunteer service, and recognize schools and colleges for volunteer achievement. It authorizes annual funding for the internship grants ($50M/year) and the volunteer-based scholarship program ($100M/year) for FY2026–FY2030, requires States to allocate scholarship funds by K–12 enrollment shares, and sets program rules for eligibility, award amounts, renewal, and coordination with institutions of higher education. The bill also mandates reasonable employment-related accommodations for interns with childcare, transportation, or similar barriers, reserves up to 20% of scholarship funds for federal supplemental awards, and establishes a recognition program for schools, LEAs, and institutions that demonstrate strong community service and volunteer outcomes.