October 28, 2025
Mr. Figures (for himself, Mr. Fields, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Mrs. McIver, Ms. Norton, Ms. Velázquez, Mr. Carson, Mrs. Foushee, Ms. Craig, Ms. Lee of Pennsylvania, Mr. Evans of Pennsylvania, Ms. Plaskett, Ms. Tlaib, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Kennedy of New York, and Mr. Goldman of New York) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education, as a condition of participating in programs under title IV of such Act, to not terminate or otherwise alter the enrollment status of a student due to a disruption of the student’s Federal student financial aid under such title caused by a lapse in appropriations.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Guaranteeing Retention and Aid During Shutdowns Act
or the GRAD Act
.
Sec. 2. Preserving student enrollment status during government shutdown
Section 487(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(30)
The institution will not terminate or otherwise alter the enrollment status of a student due to a disruption of the student’s Federal student financial aid under title IV caused by a lapse in appropriations.