Sponsor
Danny K. Davis
Representative · D-IL
Representative · D-IL
The bill creates modest, flexible emergency grants to help low-income students stay in college, but the small per-student cap, a 2% funding limit, and added compliance requirements mean many urgent needs may remain unmet and institutions will face extra administrative burden.
Low-income and other eligible students receive short-term emergency grants (up to $500 in 2027–28, CPI-indexed thereafter) to cover unexpected costs so they can persist in and complete their first bachelor’s degree.
Institutions can tailor grant amounts and allowable uses (housing, transportation, dependent care, parental supports, etc.), enabling flexible, targeted support where students need it most.
Direct short-term financial relief reduces immediate economic hardship for students facing crises, lowering the likelihood they must drop out to cover urgent expenses.
Many students (especially those facing major car repairs, medical bills, or housing crises) may find the $500 initial cap (even if CPI-indexed later) insufficient to cover true emergencies.
Because the program limits grant use to 2% of Section 402D funds, campuses that allocate only that share may provide small or uneven assistance across institutions, leaving some eligible students underserved.
Grants generally not counting in Title IV need calculations and the requirement to supplement (not supplant) nonfederal funds add administrative and compliance burdens for institutions to coordinate aid packages and document funding sources.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Allows Student Support Services (TRIO) programs to provide basic and emergency living assistance grants to current participants, funded from a small program set‑aside and limited by an emergency cap indexed to CPI.
Official title: To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide basic and emergency supplemental living assistance grants under the student support services program.
Introduced February 25, 2026 by Danny K. Davis · Last progress February 25, 2026
Adds authority for Student Support Services (TRIO) programs to provide basic and emergency supplemental living assistance grants to current program participants to help them persist in and complete their first undergraduate baccalaureate program. Grants cover anticipated basic expenses or unexpected emergency costs, are limited in amount and use, and may be funded from up to 2% of a program's Section 402D funds (with an additional small share available from certain excess appropriations). The measure sets an initial emergency grant cap ($500 for 2027–2028, then indexed to CPI), requires coordination with campus financial aid offices, prevents these grants from changing Title IV need determinations, and requires funds to supplement—not supplant—non‑Federal support.