Guaranteeing Retention and Aid During Shutdowns Act; GRAD Act
Summary
The Guaranteeing Retention and Aid During Shutdowns Act (GRAD Act) aims to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965. It seeks to protect students' enrollment status at higher education institutions during government shutdowns. This protection would be a condition for institutions participating in Title IV programs under the Higher Education Act.
The bill prevents institutions from terminating or altering a student's enrollment due to disruptions in federal student financial aid caused by lapses in appropriations. The bill adds a new paragraph to Section 487(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to enforce this provision.
Introduced in the House of Representatives, the bill has been referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce for further consideration.
Expected Effects
The GRAD Act would primarily affect students relying on federal financial aid for their education. It would ensure they are not penalized due to government shutdowns. This could lead to greater stability in higher education enrollment during periods of political or budgetary instability.
Educational institutions would need to adjust their policies to comply with the new requirements. This may involve absorbing temporary financial shortfalls during shutdowns.
Ultimately, the act aims to provide a safety net for students, preventing disruptions to their education caused by circumstances beyond their control.
Potential Benefits
- Provides stability for students relying on federal financial aid during government shutdowns.
- Prevents disruptions to students' education and academic progress.
- Reduces the risk of students dropping out due to temporary financial aid issues.
- Offers greater certainty for higher education institutions in enrollment management.
- Potentially improves student retention rates and graduation outcomes.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- May place a financial burden on higher education institutions to cover funding gaps during shutdowns.
- Could create administrative complexities for institutions in managing student accounts during funding lapses.
- Might not address all potential issues students face during shutdowns, such as access to other resources.
- Potential for increased government oversight and regulation of higher education institutions.
- The bill does not address the root cause of government shutdowns, only the symptoms.
Constitutional Alignment
The GRAD Act appears to align with the spirit of promoting the general welfare, as stated in the Preamble of the US Constitution. Congress has the power to legislate on matters related to education and funding, as implied by Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to collect taxes and provide for the general welfare of the United States.
The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations. The act amends existing legislation related to higher education and does not establish any new fundamental rights or restrictions.
However, the constitutionality of the underlying Higher Education Act of 1965, and the extent of federal involvement in education, has been debated, but this bill itself does not raise new constitutional questions.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).