H.R. 2733: Pell Grant Flexibility Act

This bill, known as the Pell Grant Flexibility Act, proposes amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965 specifically aimed at students with disabilities. The main objective is to allow these students more flexibility in their course load without negatively impacting their Federal Pell Grant eligibility.

Key Provisions of the Bill

• Full-Time Status for Reduced Course Loads: Students with disabilities, who have been approved by their college or university to take a reduced course load, will be considered full-time students for the purpose of calculating their Federal Pell Grant amount. This means that even if they are enrolled in fewer courses than the standard full-time requirement, they can still receive the same level of Pell Grant funding as full-time students.
• Minimum Course Load: For students with disabilities, a minimum enrollment of either a reduced course load (as determined by the institution) or 5 credits (or the equivalent) will be considered sufficient to establish full-time status for Pell Grant calculations.
• Impact on Semester Eligibility: The reduction in course load that qualifies a student as full-time under this provision will not affect the calculation of their semester eligibility for Federal Pell Grants. This means that their ability to receive Pell Grant funds for subsequent semesters will not be negatively impacted by their reduced course load.

Overall Impact

The intention behind this bill is to provide a more accommodating educational experience for students with disabilities by ensuring that they have access to federal financial aid without the pressure to maintain a standard full-time course load that may be impractical for them due to their disability.

Relevant Companies

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