REPRESENTATIVES HILL AND MORELLE SUPPORT LOW INCOME STUDENTS PURSUING HIGHER EDUCATION

Representatives Katie Hill (CA-25) and Joe Morelle (NY-25) introduced The Cost Assistance Made Possible for Undergraduate Students (CAMPUS) Act, which seeks to ensure unexpected financial burdens like sudden illness, loss of employment, or transportation emergencies do not hold students back from pursuing or completing their degrees. 

“As a millennial in Congress who has been personally affected by the astronomical costs of higher education, I’m proud to introduce the CAMPUS Act with Representative Morelle, which will provide a safety net for low-income students who face emergency expenses that would otherwise force them to drop out,” said Rep. Hill. “I look forward to continue finding as many avenues as possible to make education accessible for all young people.” The CAMPUS Act would authorize a new competitive grant demonstration program to help institutions participating in the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) provide students with emergency funds when a financial emergency directly impacts or threatens their ability to stay in school. “Every student deserves the opportunity to pursue higher education and achieve their goals,” said Rep. Morelle. “But for too many Americans, financial emergencies like a vehicle breaking down or losing a job can derail a lifetime of hard work, preventing young people from completing coursework or even causing them to drop out. I’m proud to partner with Rep. Hill to introduce this important legislation and ensure students in need have the support and resources necessary to reach their full potential.” Emergency grants will be awarded to students for financial challenges that directly affect a student’s ability to continue their course of study – such as loss of employment, housing or food insecurity, medical conditions – and individual grants will be no greater than $750. Throughout the duration of their education, an eligible student cannot receive more than $2,000 in total from one institution.