October 1, 2026
NACAC has endorsed the Higher Education Grant Flexibility Act of 2026, introduced by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), which would help remove financial barriers for students with disabilities pursuing higher education. The legislation would allow students with disabilities who have an approved accommodation to take a reduced course load to receive the same amounts of Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), and TEACH Grants as students enrolled full time.
Currently, students who need to take fewer courses as a reasonable accommodation can see their federal grant aid reduced because of their enrollment intensity. The Higher Education Grant Flexibility Act would address this barrier by treating an approved reduced course load as full-time enrollment for purposes of calculating eligible grant amounts.
For NACAC members, this legislation is an important step toward ensuring that students do not have to choose between accessing the accommodations they need and receiving the financial aid necessary to pursue a postsecondary education. By better aligning federal financial aid policy with the needs of students with disabilities, the bill would help strengthen access and create more equitable pathways to college completion.