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CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO MAKE COLLEGE EDUCATION MORE ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE

October 28, 2021

Pell Grant Flexibility legislation would ease financial restrictions for students with disabilities

(Washington, DC) – Today, Congressman Joe Morelle announced the introduction of legislation to make higher education more accessible to students with disabilities. HR 5739 would provide Pell Grant flexibility to ensure students receive critical financial support even if their disability precludes them from taking a full course load.

"Nearly twenty percent of undergraduate students in colleges and universities have a disability, and unfortunately, many of these students do not go on to complete their degrees," saidCongressman Joe Morelle. "We must do more to eliminate the roadblocks these students face and put college graduation within reach for students of all abilities. My legislation will help students stay in school, graduate, and pursue meaningful employment while building a more inclusive and equitable higher education system."

Pell Grants are the largest pool of financial resources available to college students. In order to receive a full Pell Grant award, a student must take a full course load. However, many students must take less to reasonably accommodate for their disability, and in some cases, need additional time to complete their course work for graduation. Under current law, these students receive reduced Pell Grant awards in line with their reduced course load, while their actual college expenses are not proportionately reduced. This is perhaps one reason why a staggering 25% of students with disabilities left after one year of college compared to an attrition rate of 14% among students without a disability.

Stephan Smith, Executive Director, Association on Higher Education And Disability(AHEAD): "As the leading professional membership association for individuals committed to equity for persons with disabilities in higher education, AHEAD has always been a champion of the Pell Grant program in helping students achieve their educational goals. But for some students with disabilities, course load requirements and semester limits with the Pell Grant program result in challenges to college completion. That is why AHEAD is so excited to see Rep. Joe Morelle (D-NY) introduce the Pell Grant for Students With Disabilities Act. By instituting a commonsense flexibility that would allow students with disabilities to attend college at a pace with the greatest chances for success without having to see a reduction or even loss of Pell Grant funding will make a world of difference. It is this small change that will amount to life changing opportunities for college students with disabilities."

Allowing students to reduce their workload to manage their disability, while still being able to secure financial aid, tears down systemic barriers preventing them from educational success. Rep. Morelle's legislation will lower the amount of credit hours required for Pell Grants for students with disabilities and allow for adjustments to award calculations and waivers for semester limits for those students, giving them the support necessary to earn their degree at the pace that works for them.

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