Workforce Development Through Post-Graduation Scholarships Act of 2026

The "Workforce Development Through Post-Graduation Scholarships Act of 2026" proposes to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, primarily by making certain post-graduation scholarship grants excludable from an individual's gross income. This exclusion would operate similarly to existing qualified scholarships, aiming to promote economic growth and workforce development. The bill defines these grants as programs established by specific 501(c)(3) organizations , such as private foundations or community trusts. To qualify, these grants must repay a portion of an individual's applicable education loan , which covers qualified higher education expenses. A key condition is that the grantee must agree to live and work in an applicable community , defined as an area with a bachelor's degree attainment rate below state or national averages. Payments are made directly to the loan holder, and the grants cannot be provided to employees of the granting organization. The bill also prevents a double tax benefit by disallowing student loan interest deductions for amounts excluded under these grants. Furthermore, the legislation ensures that these post-graduation scholarship grants are not treated as taxable expenditures by private foundations. It mandates reporting requirements for the Secretary of the Treasury on the program's implementation and effectiveness. The Comptroller General is also required to conduct a study on these grants, examining their duration, amounts paid, and the disposition of funds.