PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Sep 16, 2026
Emergency Grant Aid for College Students Act
This bill establishes a grant program for emergency student financial aid. It also prohibits the Department of Education (ED) from transferring functions related to this program to other federal agencies.
Specifically, the bill directs ED to establish a grant program for institutions of higher education to provide emergency financial aid grants to students.
The bill also prohibits ED from entering into or carrying out interagency agreements related to this program. This prohibition applies to the transfer of functions such as administering or operating programs, making grants, carrying out technical assistance, enforcing rights and requirements (e.g., data collection requirements), conducting administrative and oversight functions, and monitoring grantees.
People & committees
Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25] · D–NY
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We also preserved the text version used in the PlainBill explanation below.
Source last updated: Oct 9, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze H.R.10451 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.10451 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.10451 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.10451 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.
PlainBill explanation
Based on the full Introduced in House · 2026-09-16 text. This explanation has not received human editorial review. This overview describes the proposal’s major provisions; it does not establish what its real-world effects would be.
The proposed Emergency Grant Aid for College Students Act would create a federal grant program through colleges to help enrolled students meet emergency expenses that threaten their studies. Colleges would select recipients and prioritize financial need, with annual aid per student capped at that year's maximum Pell Grant. The grants would be excluded from federal taxable income and calculations for other aid and public benefits. The bill would also prohibit other federal agencies from participating in its administration through agreements with the Education Department.
This Act may be cited as the Emergency Grant Aid for College Students Act.
The Secretary shall carry out a grant program to make grants, in accordance with subsection (b), to eligible entities to provide emergency financial aid grants to eligible students in accordance with subsection (c).
financial challenges that would impact the ability of an eligible student to continue the course of study of such student
a description of how the eligible entity will prioritize eligible students with financial need in awarding emergency financial aid grants
An eligible student may not receive a cumulative amount under this section for an academic year that is more than the maximum Federal Pell Grant available for such academic year.
an eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall solely determine which students receive emergency financial aid grants under this section.
shall not be considered— (A) income or assets (including untaxed income and benefits under section 480(b)) in the computation of a student’s expected family contribution or student aid index in determining the amount of aid for which the student is eligible under title IV for any academic year; and (B) in determining eligibility for other public benefits; and (3) shall not be included in the gross income of such student for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
the Secretary of Education shall not enter into any agreement, or implement any agreement existing on the date of enactment of this Act, with another Federal agency
Section 2 would add an emergency financial aid grant program to the Higher Education Act. Eligible institutions would receive federal grants and distribute emergency grants to students.
Title VII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070b et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: F Emergency Financial Aid Grants 791. Emergency financial aid grant program
The Secretary shall carry out a grant program to make grants, in accordance with subsection (b), to eligible entities to provide emergency financial aid grants to eligible students in accordance with subsection (c).
Any student enrolled at an eligible institution would meet the bill's definition of an eligible student. Covered institutions would be those defined in sections 101 or 102(c) of the Higher Education Act; those definitions are not reproduced in the bundle. Meeting this definition would not itself guarantee a grant.
(2) Eligible entity The term eligible entity means an institution of higher education. (3) Eligible student The term eligible student means any student who is enrolled in an eligible entity. (4) Institution of higher education Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section 101 or 102(c).
the criteria the eligible entity will use to determine a student's eligibility for an emergency financial aid grant
Institutions would have to treat financial challenges involving any part of a student's cost of attendance, or challenges affecting the student's ability to continue studying, as qualifying emergencies.
an assurance that an emergency for which an eligible student will be eligible to receive an emergency financial aid grant will include financial challenges related to any component of the student's cost of attendance or financial challenges that would impact the ability of an eligible student to continue the course of study of such student
Institutions seeking funding would have to apply under requirements set by the Secretary. Their applications would describe the program, estimate how many grants they would make in an award year, explain that estimate, and state student eligibility criteria.
Each eligible entity desiring to carry out an emergency grant aid program under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary, at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
Each application under paragraph (1) shall include a description of the emergency grant aid program to be carried out by the eligible entity, including— (A) an estimate of the number of emergency financial aid grants that such entity will make in an award year and how such eligible entity assessed such estimate; (B) the criteria the eligible entity will use to determine a student's eligibility for an emergency financial aid grant
At least 60 days before each institutional application deadline, the Secretary would have to notify colleges and higher education systems about the opportunity to apply, including institutions eligible for priority.
The Secretary shall, at least 60 days before each deadline to submit applications under paragraph (1), conduct outreach to institutions of higher education (including such institutions that are eligible for priority under this section) and systems of higher education to provide such institutions and systems with information on the opportunity to apply
The Secretary could give funding priority to community colleges, rural institutions, institutions where at least 33 percent of students qualify for Pell Grants, and under-resourced institutions with admission rates of at least 50 percent. Priority could also go to institutions covered by sections 371(a) or 312(b), whose definitions are not supplied. These priorities would be optional.
In selecting eligible entities to carry out an emergency grant aid program under this section, the Secretary may give priority to— (A) an eligible entity that is a community college; (B) an eligible entity that is an institution of higher education described in section 371(a); (C) an eligible entity that is considered rural according to the National Center for Education Statistics for purposes of the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System; (D) an eligible entity in which not less than 33 percent of the students enrolled at such eligible entity are eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant; or (E) an eligible entity that— (i) has an admissions rate that is 50 percent or higher and is under-resourced; or (ii) is an eligible institution as defined in section 312(b).
For this program, community colleges would include specified public institutions, Tribal Colleges or Universities, and branches of four-year public institutions where an associate degree is the highest or most frequently awarded degree. The definition would also include two-year Tribal Colleges or Universities.
The term community college means— (A) a degree-granting public institution of higher education (as defined in section 101) at which— (i) the highest degree awarded is an associate degree; or (ii) an associate degree is the most frequently awarded degree; (B) a 2-year Tribal College or University (as defined in section 316(b)(3)); (C) a degree-granting Tribal College or University (as defined in section 316(b)(3)) at which— (i) the highest degree awarded is an associate degree; or (ii) an associate degree is the most frequently awarded degree; or (D) a branch campus of a 4-year public institution of higher education (as defined in section 101), if, at such branch campus— (i) the highest degree awarded is an associate degree; or (ii) an associate degree is the most frequently awarded degree.
Students would have to have an online application option and at least one opportunity to appeal a denial. Institutions would have to describe how they would process and pay grants, including outside normal business hours, advertise the grants, and how quickly they would pay after applications are submitted.
how the eligible entity will administer the emergency grant aid program, including— (i) the process by which an eligible student may apply for and receive an emergency grant, which shall include an opportunity to apply online, and at least 1 opportunity to appeal a grant denial; (ii) the processes the eligible entity will use to respond to applications, approve applications, and disburse emergency financial aid grants, including outside of normal business hours; (iii) how the eligible entity will advertise emergency grants to eligible students; and (iv) how quickly the eligible entity will disburse emergency aid grants to students after applications have been submitted
Institutions would have to acknowledge student applications and pay approved grants within 10 business days after approval. They would also have to tell students about the grants and application process, and explain how they would prioritize students with financial need.
(F) an assurance that the eligible entity will acknowledge receipt of a student’s application and fund approved applications not later than 10 business days after the date of the approval; (G) an assurance that the eligible entity will conduct outreach to students to inform them of the availability of, and process for applying for, emergency aid grants; (H) a description of how the eligible entity will prioritize eligible students with financial need in awarding emergency financial aid grants
When applicable, institutions would have to provide students with information about federal benefits available to them and their dependents based on financial circumstances. The listed programs cover income support, food, school meals, family assistance, Medicaid, housing, health insurance tax credits, and the Earned Income Tax Credit.
an assurance that the eligible entity, when applicable, will make information available to eligible students about the eligibility of such students, and their dependents, as applicable, for assistance under means-tested Federal benefit programs
(i) the supplemental security income program
(ii) the supplemental nutrition assistance program
(iii) the free and reduced price school lunch program
(iv) the program of block grants for States for temporary assistance for needy families
(v) the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children
(vi) the Medicaid program
(vii) Federal housing assistance programs
(viii) the refundable credit for coverage under a qualified health plan under section 36B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; (ix) the Earned Income Tax Credit under section 32 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; or (x) any other means-tested program determined by the Secretary to be appropriate
Institutions could use program funds only for emergency grants to eligible students. A student's total financial aid could exceed the institution's cost of attendance, but emergency grants under this program could not exceed the maximum Pell Grant for that academic year.
An eligible entity may only use funds provided under this section to make emergency financial aid grants to eligible students.
(A) In general An eligible student may receive an amount under this section that would cause the amount of total financial aid received by such student to exceed the cost of attendance of the institution of higher education in which the student is enrolled. (B) Maximum amounts received An eligible student may not receive a cumulative amount under this section for an academic year that is more than the maximum Federal Pell Grant available for such academic year.
Institutions could waive the financial need calculation referenced in section 471. They could contract with a scholarship organization solely to accept applications or distribute funds to their students, provided the organization distributed the full allocated amount to student recipients.
In determining eligibility for and awarding emergency financial aid grants under this section, an eligible entity may— (A) waive the amount of need calculation under section 471; and (B) utilize a contract with a scholarship-granting organization designated for the sole purpose of accepting applications from, or disbursing funds to, students enrolled in the institution of higher education, if such scholarship-granting organization disburses the full allocated amount provided to the institution of higher education to the student recipients.
The institution receiving federal funding would have sole responsibility for deciding which students receive emergency grants, under a clause that applies despite other provisions of law.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall solely determine which students receive emergency financial aid grants under this section.
Funded institutions would report to the Secretary at least annually, using uniform reporting guidelines. Reports would include grant amounts, recipient and repeat-recipient counts, and details about any student groups given priority. The reporting list would not itself require institutions to prioritize those groups.
Not less frequently than once annually, each eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary a report on the progress of the eligible entity in carrying out the programs supported by such grant.
The Secretary shall issue uniform guidelines describing the information that shall be reported by grantees under such paragraph.
(A) The average, minimum, and maximum amount of grants made available to eligible students, including any average, minimum, or maximum grant levels made to any specific subgroups of eligible students, including the subgroups listed in subparagraph (B). (B) A description of any specific subgroups of eligible students who were prioritized for the emergency financial aid grants, including students of color, low-income students, first-generation college students, students with disabilities, English learners, students experiencing homelessness, former foster youth, or student parents. (C) The number of eligible students who received an emergency financial aid grant, including the number of eligible students who received more than one such grant, and the number of eligible students in each of the subgroups described in subparagraph (B) who received an emergency financial aid grant, including the number of eligible students in each of such subgroups who received more than one such grant.
Reports would also cover emergency types and frequency; applications, denials, and appeals; response and decision times; institutional funds added to the grants; payment methods; and whether recipients continued and completed their studies. Requiring these outcome reports does not establish that the grants would improve those outcomes.
(D) The types of emergencies declared and frequencies of emergencies declared by eligible students. (E) The number of students who applied for an emergency financial aid grant, including the number of eligible students in each of the subgroups described in subparagraph (B) who applied for an emergency financial aid grant. (F) The number of students who were denied such a grant. (G) The number of students who appealed a denial of such grant. (H) The average amount of time it took an eligible entity to respond to requests for such a grant and the average amount of time it took the eligible entity to award or deny such a grant. (I) A description and amount of any institutional funds used to supplement emergency financial aid grants provided in accordance with this section. (J) Outcomes of the eligible students who received such a grant, including rates of persistence, retention, and completion. (K) A description of the method used to disburse emergency grants to students.
Emergency grants would not count as financial assistance under the referenced aid provisions, or as income or assets when calculating a student's expected family contribution or student aid index—the measures used to determine federal student aid eligibility.
An emergency financial aid grant awarded to a student under this section— (1) shall not be treated as estimated financial assistance or other financial assistance for the purposes of section 471 or section 480; (2) shall not be considered— (A) income or assets (including untaxed income and benefits under section 480(b)) in the computation of a student’s expected family contribution or student aid index in determining the amount of aid for which the student is eligible under title IV for any academic year
The emergency grants would also be disregarded when determining eligibility for other public benefits and excluded from the student's gross income for federal tax purposes.
(2) shall not be considered— (A) income or assets (including untaxed income and benefits under section 480(b)) in the computation of a student’s expected family contribution or student aid index in determining the amount of aid for which the student is eligible under title IV for any academic year; and (B) in determining eligibility for other public benefits; and (3) shall not be included in the gross income of such student for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
A person could not be excluded from this program because of citizenship, noncitizen status, or immigration status.
No individual shall be determined to be ineligible to receive benefits provided under this section on the basis of citizenship, alienage, or immigration status.
The bill would authorize Congress to provide whatever funding is necessary for fiscal years 2027 through 2032. This is permission for future appropriations, not an appropriation of money. The provision does not expressly terminate the program after 2032.
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2032.
Section 3 would prohibit the Education Secretary from entering into interagency arrangements related to this bill or implementing such agreements already in place on the date of enactment. The restriction would cover contracts, purchases, transfers of activities or appropriations, shared facilities and services, and joint projects, despite the listed existing laws.
Notwithstanding section 430 of the General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1231), sections 415 and 419 of the Department of Education Organization Act (20 U.S.C. 3475 and 3479), section 1535 of title 31, United States Code (commonly known as the Economy Act), and section 1501 of title 31, United States Code, the Secretary of Education shall not enter into any agreement, or implement any agreement existing on the date of enactment of this Act, with another Federal agency, or procure services from, contract or carry out an agreement with, obtain any goods or services from, transfer activities or appropriations to, use the research, equipment, services, or facilities of, jointly carry out projects of common interest with, or enter into a similar arrangement with, another Federal agency
related to this Act and the amendments made by this Act.
The interagency restriction would cover program operations, grant awards, technical assistance, enforcement, data collection and sharing, administrative oversight, and monitoring grant recipients.
relating to the functions (including administering or operating programs, making grant awards, carrying out technical assistance, enforcing rights and requirements (including data collection and data sharing requirements)), conducting administrative and oversight functions, and monitoring grantees, related to this Act and the amendments made by this Act.
The supplied official-actions snapshot, updated October 9, 2026, records introduction in the House and referral to the House Committee on Education and Workforce on September 16, 2026. It does not establish subsequent action or enactment.
Source snapshot updated 2026-10-09T17:29:12Z. 2026-09-16: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. 2026-09-16: Introduced in House 2026-09-16: Introduced in House
A closer look
Reviewed version: Introduced in House · 2026-09-16. These findings describe provisions and who may benefit; they are not judgments of waste, corruption, or motive.
This review covers the supplied bill text. “None identified” does not rule out provisions in later versions or accompanying reports and disclosures.
Provisions outside the bill’s main subject, or policy changes attached to appropriations.
None identified in the reviewed text
No unrelated provision or policy rider attached to appropriations was identified in the complete supplied introduced text. Its administrative restrictions concern the proposed program. This conclusion is limited to this version and does not establish absence in other versions or accompanying materials.
Spending directed to particular recipients or places outside ordinary competitive or formula-based allocation.
None identified in the reviewed text
No congressionally directed spending for a particular recipient or place was identified in the complete supplied introduced text. This conclusion is limited to this version; formal earmark status in other versions or accompanying materials is not established.
Narrow exceptions, exemptions, or preferential treatment that warrant a closer look.
Findings to examine
The supplied introduced text permits preferential selection of specified categories of institutions within the main grant program. This classification identifies a preference, not a judgment about its justification.
The Secretary could favor community colleges, qualifying rural institutions, institutions with at least 33 percent Pell-eligible enrollment, under-resourced institutions admitting at least 50 percent of applicants, and institutions covered by two referenced statutory categories. This gives those institutions a possible selection advantage over other eligible institutions; it does not guarantee funding. The full definitions of the referenced statutory categories are not supplied.
In selecting eligible entities to carry out an emergency grant aid program under this section, the Secretary may give priority to— (A) an eligible entity that is a community college; (B) an eligible entity that is an institution of higher education described in section 371(a); (C) an eligible entity that is considered rural according to the National Center for Education Statistics for purposes of the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System; (D) an eligible entity in which not less than 33 percent of the students enrolled at such eligible entity are eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant; or (E) an eligible entity that— (i) has an admissions rate that is 50 percent or higher and is under-resourced; or (ii) is an eligible institution as defined in section 312(b).
Full text preserved for this analysis. Legislative record snapshot: Oct 9, 2026. How PlainBill uses AI