U.S. Senator Tina Smith Reintroduces Bill to Help College Students Facing Emergencies Afford to Stay in School

Legislation would provide emergency funds as students face record high college costs

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) has reintroduced legislation to help college students afford to stay in school when faced with unexpected financial emergencies. The Emergency Grant Aid for College Students Act comes as students face record high college costs, while the Trump Administration works to dismantle the Department of Education and limit federal borrowing amounts for undergraduate and professional students.

"Paying for college is a precarious balancing act for many students, and that's when everything is going 'right,'" said Sen. Smith. "This bill would help provide financial stability for students facing a death in the family, steep medical bills, or any number of unexpected emergencies that too often force them to drop out of school and give up on their dreams, ultimately hurting our economy."

For students already balancing tuition, housing, groceries and transportation alongside work and classes, a car repair, medical bill or death in the family can put their education at risk. The Emergency Grant Aid for College Students Act would help colleges and universities provide emergency grants to help students manage these unexpected expenses and continue their education without taking on additional debt. Unlike student loans, the grants would not need to be repaid. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Joe Morelle (D-NY 25).

"Every student deserves the opportunity to pursue higher education and achieve their personal and professional goals," said Congressman Morelle. "Unfortunately, unexpected financial emergencies like a vehicle breaking down or the sudden loss of a job can derail years of dedicated work, preventing young people from completing their coursework or even causing them to drop out. That's not right-which is why I am proud to partner with Senator Smith to introduce this important legislation and ensure students have the support and resources necessary to reach their full potential."

A law signed by President Trump capped loan amounts for parents and graduate students, with limited exceptions for continuing borrowers. Those changes took effect July 1, 2026. Since taking office in January 2025, Trump has worked to destroy the Department of Education and has made it more difficult to navigate the repayment of federal student loans.

Sen. Smith's legislation is supported by two leading student advocacy organizations, uAspire and the Today Students Coalition.

"uAspire provides financial aid advising to low-income students, and so we see how unexpected costs can derail a college semester and jeopardize a degree. We applaud Senator Smith and Representative Morelle for leading with the Emergency Grant Aid for College Act to ensure campuses can support students with unexpected costs such as medical bills or a necessary car repair," said uAspire in a statement.

"We're thankful to Senator Smith for leading the way on this important bill," said Tanya Ang, executive director of Today's Students Coalition. "Higher education is one of the greatest paths to economic mobility, but unexpected events such as a car repair, a high utility bill, or a sick child can force students to withdraw before they finish. Emergency aid grants have proven time and again that they boost retention and help students finish what they started."

You can read a summary of the bill here.

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