Bill · S. 5411· Senate(119-S-5411)
Emergency Grant Aid for College Students Act
- Introduced
- 9/16/2026
- Last activity
- 9/16/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- Tina Smith
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill establishes an emergency grant aid program for college students under the Higher Education Act of 1965. It allows schools to apply for grants to provide emergency financial aid directly to enrolled students facing unexpected financial challenges. The program gives priority to community colleges, rural schools, and institutions serving low-income students. Schools must set up an application process that allows students to apply online and appeal any denials. Additionally, the bill ensures that these emergency grants will not count against a student's taxes, other financial aid, or public benefits.
Yes· 3 of 7
Would students be better off under this?+7
The legislation directly provides enrolled college students facing financial challenges with emergency grants that do not count as taxable income or reduce other aid.
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?+6
College students, many of whom are young adults, benefit directly from emergency financial aid grants that help them continue their education.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+6
The program prioritizes under-resourced schools and institutions serving low-income students, providing critical financial support during emergencies.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Emergency Financial Support: Under section 791(b)(3)(C), eligible students facing financial challenges related to their cost of attendance or issues impacting their ability to continue their studies can receive emergency grants, which helps them stay in school.
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Protection of Other Benefits: Under section 791(f), emergency grants given to students will not be treated as income or assets when calculating other financial aid or public benefits, and the money will not be included in the student's gross income for tax purposes.
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Accessibility Regardless of Status: Under section 791(g), no individual can be denied benefits from this program based on their citizenship, alienage, or immigration status.
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Priority for Under-Resourced Schools: Under section 791(b)(4), the Secretary of Education may give priority for these grants to community colleges, rural schools, and institutions where at least 33 percent of students receive Pell Grants, helping direct funds where they are needed most.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Aid Limits: Under section 791(c)(2)(B), a student cannot receive a cumulative amount of emergency grant aid for an academic year that exceeds the maximum Federal Pell Grant, which caps the amount of emergency help an individual can get.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Students+7Good For Low Income Households+6Good For Young Adults+6Good For Immigrants+5Good For Middle Class Households+5
- Education And Technology
- Improves College Affordability+6Improves Student Loan Relief+5
- 9/16/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Introduced in Senate
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.