Van Hollen Reintroduces Bill to Make Higher Education More Accessible for Students with Disabilities

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) reintroduced the Higher Education Grant Flexibility Act of 2026, legislation to make higher education in America more affordable and accessible for students with disabilities. This bill would enable students with disabilities who take reduced course loads - approved as an accommodation by their colleges or universities - to qualify for the same amounts of Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG), and TEACH Grants as full-time students.

"For students with disabilities, higher education can open the doors to new opportunities, from civic participation to good-paying jobs and economic security. But many of these students still face unfair barriers to earning their degrees. This legislation will help ensure students with disabilities can access the financial resources to seek higher education - supporting their success in school and beyond," said Senator Van Hollen.

In addition to Senator Van Hollen, the legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM).

"As the cost of college skyrockets and federal financial aid programs fail to keep up, students with disabilities should not be forced to choose between receiving the accommodations they are entitled to by law and getting their fair share of financial aid," said Senator Gillibrand. "I am proud to cosponsor the Higher Education Grant Flexibility Act, which would help ensure our government upholds its responsibility to give every student with disabilities full access to educational opportunities. I am committed to doing everything I can to remove barriers to higher education, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this bill passed."

"Every student deserves an educational experience that meets their needs," said Senator Padilla. "No student's approved accommodation for a reduced course load should put them at risk of losing financial assistance, but too often that's the unfortunate reality. Our bill closes this loophole to ensure that students with disabilities can still utilize their accommodations without financial consequences."

"Everyone should have the opportunity to pursue higher education, including students with disabilities. That's why I'm proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Higher Education Grant Flexibility Act," said Senator Luján. "This legislation would help remove unnecessary barriers so students with disabilities can access the financial aid they need to pursue their education."

Currently, students with disabilities who receive accommodations for reduced course loads are ineligible for full funding from certain federal grant and support programs that require recipients to be enrolled full-time. This legislation would eliminate that barrier to federal financial assistance, allowing students with disabilities to prepare for and graduate from post-secondary education programs successfully. This legislation had been previously introduced by Senator Bob Casey, with Senator Van Hollen as a lead cosponsor.

The full text of the bill is available here.

The Senators' legislation is supported by a broad group of experts and advocacy organizations, including: Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD), Access Ready, Inc., ACPA - College Student Educators International, American College Health Association (ACHA), CAST, Center for Higher Education Policy and Practices (CHEPP) at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), Center for Learner Equity, Council for Exceptional Children, Council for Opportunity in Education (COE), Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc. (COPAA), Deaf Equality, Disability Belongs, Foundations for Divergent Minds, Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL), Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP), LeadMN, National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD), National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC), National Organization on Disability (NOD), National PLACE, Perkins School for the Blind, TDIforAccess (TDI), The Advocacy Institute The Arc of the United States, Tourette Association of America.

"As the leading professional membership association for individuals committed to collegiate equity for disabled people in higher education, AHEAD applauds Sen. Van Hollen for continuing to carry this legislation forward and his demonstrated history of supporting those with disabilities. Many college students with disabilities have to make the choice between being able to afford college or not following the accommodations recommended by professionals proffered to put them in the best position for college equity. The Higher Education Grant Flexibility Act will eliminate the need to make such a choice for future generations of college students seeking to grow their skills and impact on society," said Stephan Smith, CEO of AHEAD.