A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill establishes an emergency financial aid grant program for college students under the Higher Education Act of 1965. Under this program, the Secretary of Education will award grants to eligible colleges and universities so they can provide emergency financial aid directly to enrolled students. Schools applying for these funds must describe how they will process applications online, handle appeals, and quickly disburse money within ten business days of approval. The legislation prioritizes certain schools, such as community colleges, rural institutions, and those serving high percentages of Pell Grant recipients. Additionally, the bill ensures that these emergency grants will not count as taxable income or reduce a student's eligibility for other federal financial aid and public benefits.
Yes· 3 of 13
- Scored +8
Would students be better off under this?
Enrolled college students receive direct financial relief for emergencies, online application options, fast disbursements, and protection for other financial aid.
- Scored +7
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
College-aged young adults benefit directly from emergency financial aid grants designed to help them stay enrolled during crises.
- Scored +7
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Low-income students, particularly Pell Grant recipients, are prioritized for emergency grants and protected from losing other means-tested public benefits.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Emergency Financial Support for Students: Section 2 adds Section 791(c)(1), which allows eligible schools to use grant funds to provide emergency financial aid directly to students facing financial challenges related to their cost of attendance or challenges that impact their ability to continue their studies. This helps students stay in school when unexpected crises hit.
-
Protection of Other Aid and Benefits: Section 2 adds Section 791(f), which explicitly states that these emergency grants will not be counted as income or assets when calculating a student's expected family contribution or student aid index for other federal financial aid, nor will they count against eligibility for other public benefits or be treated as taxable income. This ensures students do not lose existing safety-net benefits by accepting emergency college aid.
-
Broad Access Regardless of Immigration Status: Section 2 adds Section 791(g), which dictates that no individual shall be determined ineligible to receive benefits under this program on the basis of citizenship, alienage, or immigration status. This opens the emergency grants up to a wider group of enrolled students.
-
Fast Application and Dispersal Processes: Section 2 adds Section 791(b)(3)(E) and (F), requiring schools to offer an online application process, at least one opportunity to appeal a denial, and an assurance that approved funds will be acknowledged and funded within 10 business days. This cuts through red tape so students get help when they actually need it.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Caps on Individual Awards: Section 2 adds Section 791(c)(2)(B), which places a cap on the emergency funds a student can receive, stating that an eligible student may not receive a cumulative amount in an academic year that is more than the maximum Federal Pell Grant available for that year. While intended to limit spending, this cap might restrict the amount of help severely distressed students can receive if their emergency costs exceed that maximum limit.
-
Restrictions on Federal Agency Cooperation: Section 3 prohibits the Secretary of Education from entering into agreements or sharing administrative functions, data collection, or oversight duties with any other federal agency regarding this Act. While this keeps the program strictly housed within the Department of Education, it could potentially create bureaucratic silos that slow down efficient multi-agency assistance or oversight for students who rely on multiple federal programs.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would students be better off under this? — Enrolled college students receive direct financial relief for emergencies, online application options, fast disbursements, and protection for other financial aid. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Low-income students, particularly Pell Grant recipients, are prioritized for emergency grants and protected from losing other means-tested public benefits. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — College-aged young adults benefit directly from emergency financial aid grants designed to help them stay enrolled during crises. Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill explicitly prohibits denying benefits under this program on the basis of citizenship, alienage, or immigration status. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The legislation explicitly gives priority in grant distribution to rural institutions of higher education. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Middle-income families with students facing unexpected financial challenges are eligible for emergency grant support.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — Emergency grants directly reduce the financial burden on students facing unexpected cost-of-attendance challenges without reducing their other federal financial aid. Does this put more money into public schools? — The bill authorizes appropriations and provides emergency financial aid grants to eligible colleges and universities, prioritizing community colleges and under-resourced institutions. Does this reduce what student borrowers owe or repay? — By providing emergency financial support, students are less likely to need additional emergency student loans to cover unexpected expenses.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Institutions receiving grants are required to submit detailed annual progress reports regarding award amounts, demographics, and student outcomes. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill establishes a new federal grant program administered by the Secretary of Education with specific reporting and oversight requirements.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Emergency financial grants and protections ensuring aid does not count against public benefits help vulnerable students navigate financial crises and avoid poverty.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Providing emergency financial aid helps college students stay enrolled and complete their education, supporting long-term workforce development and economic stability.
- 9/16/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Introduced in House
5 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.