Higher Education Grant Flexibility Act of 2026
Changes how approved reduced course loads count when calculating several federal grants for students with disabilities.
In the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee since Sept. 30, 2026, 8 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROSEP 30, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- SENATESENATE—
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Federal student grants can depend on how much a student is enrolled. This bill would change how enrollment is counted when calculating certain grant amounts for students with disabilities who have an approved reduced course load. It would cover Pell, supplemental educational opportunity, and TEACH Grants, but not Pell semester eligibility calculations.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Adjust Pell Grant calculations
For a student with a disability whose reduced course load is approved as a reasonable accommodation, the bill would treat that load—or 5 credits, whichever is greater—as full-time when calculating cost-of-attendance elements used to determine the Pell Grant amount. This treatment would not apply to Pell semester eligibility calculations.
- Adjust supplemental grant calculations
For a student with a disability whose reduced course load is approved as a reasonable accommodation, the bill would use that load—or 5 credits, whichever is greater—as full-time when calculating cost-of-attendance elements used to determine the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant amount.
- Adjust TEACH Grant calculations
For a teacher candidate with a disability whose reduced course load is approved as a reasonable accommodation, the bill would use that load—or 5 credits, whichever is greater—as full-time when calculating cost-of-attendance elements used to determine the TEACH Grant amount.
A reduced course load approved as a disability accommodation can affect the enrollment measure used in calculating federal grant amounts. The bill would change that calculation while leaving Pell semester-eligibility calculations outside the exception.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedSEP 30, 2026SENATESEP 30, 2026By Sen. Hollen with 6 original cosponsorsReferred to Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
- SAME DAYNOWSenate committeeSEP 30, 2026HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR, & PENSIONS NOWSEP 30, 2026In committee for 8 daysNo hearing yet
- 8 DAYS SO FARPassed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- House committee—HOUSE—
- Passed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- SEP 302026SEP 30, 2026REFERREDRead twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- SEP 302026SEP 30, 2026INTRODUCEDSENATEIntroduced in Senate
At day 8, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
A coalition from 6 states
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Sen. Van Hollen’s record: sponsored 76 bills this Congress. 1 passed the Senate; 0 became law.
- Cory A. BookerD-NJORIGINAL
- Kirsten E. GillibrandD-NYORIGINAL
- Mazie K. HironoD-HIORIGINAL
- Ben Ray LujánD-NMORIGINAL
- Alex PadillaD-CAORIGINAL
- Bernie SandersI-VTORIGINAL
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