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: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Target Audience
Population: Students in institutions of higher education
Estimated Size: 20000000
- The bill focuses on students in institutions of higher education.
- There are approximately 235 million people currently enrolled in higher education globally as of recent statistics.
- Not all students may be in need of emergency aid, but the potential reach involves all current students.
Reasoning
- The population of 20 million students covers a diverse range of situations, from those in severe need to those unaffected by emergencies.
- Given the budget constraints, not all students in need may receive aid. It's likely the support will be prioritized for those in severe financial emergencies.
- Wellbeing impact will vary based on the severity of the emergency and the level of aid provided, with some students experiencing significant relief, while others may see negligible changes.
- This analysis includes a range of situations and perspectives to cover the diversity of the student population.
Simulated Interviews
Undergraduate student (Boston, MA)
Age: 21 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm always worried about making ends meet, especially when unexpected expenses come up.
- This grant could be a lifeline for me if an emergency happens.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Graduate student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not in immediate crisis, but knowing this support is available would provide peace of mind.
- I think it's a great initiative for those who desperately need it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Undergraduate student (Austin, TX)
Age: 20 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Every semester is a financial struggle, with no room for unexpected costs.
- This grant could help prevent dropping out if an emergency arises.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
PhD candidate (Chicago, IL)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I'm relatively stable, any sudden health expense could derail my finances.
- This policy is more crucial for others, but it's reassuring.
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 |
Community college student (Miami, FL)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- An emergency on top of existing stresses could make it impossible to continue my education.
- This aid might help me manage an emergency situation without considering dropping out.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 3 |
First-year college student (New York City, NY)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm fortunate not to worry about finances, but it's comforting to know this kind of support exists.
- I can see this being really beneficial for those with less financial security.
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 |
Returning student (Seattle, WA)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Balancing school and financial obligations is challenging, particularly during unexpected expenses.
- This grant could be a significant help during emergencies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Full-time student (Denver, CO)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A sudden financial burden could lead to significant stress and academic interruption.
- This policy might not be for everyone, but it's good support in dire situations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Undergraduate student (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 21 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I manage okay, but unexpected costs are always a possibility.
- Having emergency aid available is reassuring.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
International student (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 26 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm always stressed about finances due to visa constraints and living costs.
- This grant could be very beneficial in emergencies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $3000000000 (Low: $2000000000, High: $4000000000)
Year 2: $3150000000 (Low: $2100000000, High: $4200000000)
Year 3: $3307500000 (Low: $2205000000, High: $4410000000)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The target population includes 20 million college students in the U.S., but not all will require aid at any given time.
- Historical data on similar programs suggests a likely core reach of 2-3 million students annually.
- Monitoring for impacts on education continuity should be considered.
- Potential discrepancies in distribution efficiency at different institutions need addressing.