This bill ensures that students with disabilities taking at least 5 credits will receive Pell Grants as if they were full-time students, as determined by their college.
Joseph Morelle
Representative
NY-25
The Pell Grant Flexibility Act amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to ease Pell Grant calculations for students with disabilities. It ensures that eligible students with disabilities taking at least 5 credits, which is considered a reduced but appropriate course load by their institution, receive Pell Grants as if they were full-time students. This adjustment aims to provide more equitable access to financial aid for students with disabilities pursuing higher education.
Pell Grant Flexibility Act Aims to Boost Aid for Students with Disabilities Taking Reduced Course Loads
This bill, the Pell Grant Flexibility Act, makes a targeted change to how Federal Pell Grants are calculated for certain students. It amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to adjust the financial aid formula specifically for students with disabilities who need to take fewer classes.
Recalibrating Aid for Accessibility
Here's the core change: if a student has a disability (as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act) and their college agrees that a reduced course load is appropriate, their Pell Grant will be calculated as if they were enrolled full-time, provided they are taking at least 5 credits. Currently, Pell Grant amounts often decrease significantly when students drop below full-time status. This bill aims to remove that financial penalty for students whose disability necessitates a lighter academic schedule.
How It Works on Campus
Imagine a student managing a chronic illness or learning disability. Taking a full 12 or 15 credits might be unrealistic, but they can successfully handle, say, 6 or 9 credits. Under this Act, as long as they take at least 5 credits and the school deems the reduced load appropriate due to their disability, they could receive the Pell Grant amount typically reserved for full-time students. It's important to note, according to Section 2, this adjustment only affects the amount of the grant for that semester; it doesn't change the overall number of semesters a student is eligible to receive Pell Grant funding throughout their college career (as outlined in subsection (d)(5) of the Higher Education Act).
The Bottom Line: Easing Financial Pressure
The practical effect is potentially significant financial relief. By calculating the grant at the full-time rate for eligible students taking 5+ credits, the Act intends to make higher education more financially feasible for students balancing academics and disability-related needs. It directly addresses the intersection of disability accommodation and financial aid, aiming to prevent students from being financially penalized for needing a modified course schedule.