Bill Overview
Title: Emergency Grant Aid for College Students Act
Description: This bill directs the Department of Education to establish a grant program for institutions of higher education to provide emergency financial-aid grants to students.
Sponsors: Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25]
Target Audience
Population: Students in higher education
Estimated Size: 20000000
- The bill is focused on providing financial aid grants specifically to students in higher education.
- Students often face financial emergencies that can impede their ability to continue education without additional support.
- Higher education institutions include universities, colleges, and community colleges globally.
- Access to emergency financial aid can prevent dropouts due to unforeseen expenses such as healthcare, childcare, or housing.
Reasoning
- The policy targets 20 million college students, but it's crucial to recognize that only a subset will face emergencies justifying the use of these funds.
- $21 billion in the first year implies $1,050 per student if evenly distributed, which is reasonable for emergency aid.
- We must factor in diverse needs: healthcare emergencies, unexpected rent increases, or sudden family obligations that require students to work longer hours, potentially jeopardizing their studies.
- Some students will not need this aid and will remain unaffected; others may see significant improvements in their ability to continue education without interruption.
- Overall, well-being changes will depend on the severity of financial difficulties faced by each student, ranging from no change for the unaffected to substantial improvement for those at risk of dropping out.
Simulated Interviews
College Student (Austin, TX)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this grant could really help students like me who juggle school and work. One unexpected expense can throw off my entire budget.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Graduate Student (Columbus, OH)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Emergency aid is always useful, but as an international student, I'm often excluded from these programs. I hope this bill includes us.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
College Student (New York, NY)
Age: 21 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've been close to dropping out because of housing costs. This grant could be the difference in keeping my place and completing my degree.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Community College Student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Balancing work, school, and my kid is tough. Emergency aid could lighten my load during unexpected financial hits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Undergraduate Student (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I have a scholarship, but it's not always enough. I welcome any support for unexpected costs, especially in this expensive city.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Graduate Student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Juggling loans and part-time work is difficult. This grant could help offset some living expenses.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
College Student (Seattle, WA)
Age: 20 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Between sports and school, there's little time for work. This aid would help manage unexpected travel or healthcare expenses.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Part-time Student (Miami, FL)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm gradually finishing my degree while working. Emergency funds would ease personal financial crises.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Professional Student (Boston, MA)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With family and VA support, I don't foresee needing additional aid, but I understand others might.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
College Freshman (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 18 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As someone new to this experience, any extra financial help is welcome, especially with unforeseen tech and book costs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $21000000000 (Low: $19000000000, High: $23000000000)
Year 2: $21500000000 (Low: $19500000000, High: $23500000000)
Year 3: $22000000000 (Low: $20000000000, High: $24000000000)
Year 5: $23000000000 (Low: $21000000000, High: $25000000000)
Year 10: $24000000000 (Low: $22000000000, High: $26000000000)
Year 100: $30000000000 (Low: $28000000000, High: $32000000000)
Key Considerations
- The size of grant awarded per student and the criteria for eligibility.
- Administrative efficiency in processing and awarding grants.
- Potential increases in higher education enrolment as a result of support availability.
- The mix between students in need and those not utilizing the grant could affect per-student cost assumptions.