Education

Alex knows that an investment in a child’s education is an investment in the future of America. He grew up attending Los Angeles public schools, where his teachers encouraged him to dream big. Alex wants all children in California to have access to quality public education so they can pursue their own dreams. He is proud to advocate for funding to support teachers and staff, school infrastructure, and student well-being. As a first-generation college graduate, Alex knows the hurdles that too many Californians face in accessing quality, affordable higher education, and he is determined to make higher education accessible for all. During his first term in congress, Padilla introduced the Basic Assistance for Students in College (BASIC) Act to ensure college students are able to meet their basic needs while pursuing their education. He also led several pushes calling on the Biden administration to cancel up to $50,000 of debt for federal student loan borrowers to provide relief to nearly 4 million Californians with student debt.

As a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a degree in mechanical engineering, Alex is a strong supporter of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) educational opportunities inside and outside the classroom. He has also helped launch, and co-chair, the first-ever Senate Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Caucus. The HSI Caucus aims to educate Members of Congress about the contributions and importance of allocating adequate resources to accredited, degree-granting institutions of higher education with at least 25 percent total undergraduate Hispanic full-time student enrollment. 

Recent News

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), along with U.S. Representative Alma Adams (D-N.C.-12), introduced the Parent PLUS Parity Act, bicameral legislation to ease the burden of student loan debt for parent borrowers who helped...
WASHINGTON, D.C. — During National Hispanic Heritage Month, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), chair of the Senate Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Caucus, and John Cornyn (R-Texas) announced that the Senate passed their bipartisan resolution to designate the week starting on September 9, 2024...
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Representative Norma J. Torres (D-Calif.-35) hosted local students and advocates to reintroduce the Basic Assistance for Students in College (BASIC) Act, bicameral legislation to help ensure college students can meet...
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), along with U.S. Representative Alma Adams (D-N.C.-12), introduced the Parent PLUS Parity Act, bicameral legislation to ease the burden of student loan debt for parent borrowers who helped...
WASHINGTON, D.C. — During National Hispanic Heritage Month, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), chair of the Senate Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Caucus, and John Cornyn (R-Texas) announced that the Senate passed their bipartisan resolution to designate the week starting on September 9, 2024...
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Representative Norma J. Torres (D-Calif.-35) hosted local students and advocates to reintroduce the Basic Assistance for Students in College (BASIC) Act, bicameral legislation to help ensure college students can meet...
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Ahead of National Hispanic Heritage Month, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), chair of the Senate Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Caucus, and John Cornyn (R-Texas), along with U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (D-Texas-20), co-chair of the Congressional HSI Caucus, introduced a bipartisan, bicameral...
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and John Fetterman (D-Pa.) introduced the Student Food Security Act of 2024, bicameral legislation to address food insecurity faced by college students nationwide. Representatives...
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), co-chair of the Senate Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Caucus, along with Joaquin Castro (D-Texas-20) and Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.-07), Democratic Co-Chairs of the House HSI Caucus, issued a joint statement applauding key actions...
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler (both D-Calif.) joined Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) in introducing the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2024, bicameral legislation...
WATCH: Padilla and officials encourage students to apply for financial aid ahead of California’s priority deadline on May 2 CALIFORNIA — Today, a week before the upcoming California priority deadline, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) hosted a webinar alongside representatives...
FY 24 Appropriations Package Passes Senate with Over $30 Million for 27 Community Projects Across California WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) announced that he secured over $30 million for 27 community projects across California in the...
WASHINGTON, D.C. ­— Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) announced the Isakson-Roe Education Oversight Expansion Act, which would improve U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) oversight to ensure veterans receive access to quality higher education from...