Sponsors (7)
The bill redirects limited federal student aid and reduces some taxpayer outlays by denying Title IV benefits to people convicted of assault on officers or rioting, but in doing so it blocks college access and imposes higher, non‑forgivable debt and reentry barriers on those individuals.
Students who are NOT convicted of the listed offenses face reduced competition for limited Title IV funds, increasing their chances to receive Pell grants, loans, and work-study.
Taxpayers may avoid some future grant outlays for individuals convicted of assault on officers or rioting, modestly reducing federal higher-education spending.
Students convicted of the listed offenses lose access to Pell/Title IV grants, loans, and work-study, blocking or delaying their access to college.
Grants converted to loans begin accruing interest from the award date and are barred from forgiveness, cancellation, or discharge, substantially increasing long-term borrowing costs and eliminating relief options for affected borrowers.
The added repayment obligations and debt burdens increase barriers to reentry and rehabilitation for people with criminal convictions, raising the risk of recidivism.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Makes persons convicted of assaulting a police officer or rioting ineligible for Title IV aid and converts related grants into non‑forgivable unsubsidized loans that accrue interest from the award date.
Official title: To make certain individuals ineligible to receive any Federal financial aid under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
Introduced March 21, 2025 by August Pfluger · Last progress March 21, 2025
Makes people convicted of assaulting a police officer or of rioting ineligible for federal student aid and converts any Title IV grant money they already received for the program of study during which the offense occurred into a loan that accrues interest and cannot be forgiven. The rule starts with the first federal student aid award year after the law takes effect and applies to grants, loans (with narrow conversion exceptions), and work-study assistance.