H.R. 5850 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Education and Workforce, Oct 28, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryProtects student aid during government shutdowns
When the federal government runs out of money and shuts down, federal student financial aid can get delayed or disrupted. This bill would prevent colleges and universities that accept federal student aid from kicking students out or changing their enrollment status just because that aid got held up during a shutdown.
How it affects you
If you're a college student getting federal financial aid, this protects you from losing your spot or having your enrollment changed if a shutdown disrupts your aid payments. Your school would have to keep you enrolled even if the money temporarily stops flowing during a government shutdown.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Oct 28, 2025)
Guaranteeing Retention and Aid During Shutdowns Act or the GRAD Act
This bill prohibits institutions of higher education that participate in federal student aid programs from terminating or otherwise altering the enrollment status of a student due to a disruption of the student’s federal student financial aid caused by a lapse in appropriations (i.e., government shutdown).
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 5850
A BILL
GRAD Act
Sponsor: Rep. Shomari Figures (D-AL-2) · Introduced Oct 28, 2025 · Education · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Oct 28, 2025: “Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.”