Representatives García, Hayes and Senator Booker Introduce the DIVERSIFY Act

September 18, 2026 Press Release Legislation that will help diversify the education system by increasing the maximum TEACH Grant award from $4,000 to $8,000 per year to align with the full cost of college today WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representatives Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04), Jahana Hayes (CT-05) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), reintroduced the Diversifying by Investing in Educators and Students to Improve Outcomes For Youth ( DIVERSIFY) Act , legislation that would strengthen and expand the TEACH Grant award and help build a well prepared and diverse educator workforce. The TEACH Grant, created in 2007, provides up to $4,000 to undergraduate and graduate students interested in becoming teachers and serving in a high-need field teaching students from low-income families. However, even when the cost of higher education has risen significantly, the statutory maximum of the TEACH grant has not changed. “Students deserve to see their own diversity reflected in those who teach them. In Chicago, less than 50% of teachers come from diverse backgrounds while Latino and Black students make up nearly 90% of the student population. As the cost of higher education and student loan debt continue to place a growing financial burden on students, we must do more to make a career in education accessible and affordable,” said Congressman García. “ Increasing the TEACH Grant will help remove financial barriers for aspiring educators, expand opportunities for students, and ensure this critical program keeps pace with the rising cost of earning a degree.” “Every student should have the opportunity to learn from educators who understand their experiences, reflect their communities, and help them to break down negative stereotypes and biases. A diverse teacher workforce can strengthen student outcomes, improve school engagement, lower absentee and discipline rates and decrease incidents of misdiagnosis for special education,” said Congresswoman Hayes . “The DIVERSIFY Act will help encourage more individuals with multiple viewpoints and life experiences to enter the teaching profession and bring their talent back to the communities they call home. I am pleased to partner with Senator Booker and Representative García on this important legislation.” “Teachers play an essential role in preparing the next generation, yet too many are asked to do more with fewer resources and often spend their own money to support their classrooms,” said Senator Booker. “We should be putting money back in teachers’ pockets and making it easier for those who choose a career in education to manage the cost of their own education. By doubling the TEACH Grant and ending harmful annual cuts to the program, this legislation will provide greater support to current and future educators while helping strengthen and diversify our teacher workforce. Every student deserves access to great teachers, including educators who reflect the backgrounds and experiences of the communities they serve.” “A diverse educator workforce begins with a higher education pathway that is accessible, affordable, and designed to support the language assets of aspiring teachers. For bilingual educators, the cost of earning a bachelor’s degree can be a significant barrier to entering the profession while the demand for bilingual skillsets are needed now more than ever to serve English learners. The DIVERSIFY Act recognizes that strengthening the teacher pipeline by making educator preparation more financially accessible, this legislation can help open the door for more talented, multilingual, and diverse professionals to earn their degrees and enter the classrooms our students deserve,” said Linda Xóchitl Tortolero, CEO and President at the Latino Policy Forum. The DIVERSIFY Act will help create a well-prepared and diverse educator workforce by: Increasing the maximum TEACH Grant award to $8,000 per year to better reflect the rising cost of higher education and educator preparation. Ending sequestration cuts to the TEACH Grant award, ensuring eligible students can receive the full grant amount authorized by Congress. Eliminating the harsh loan conversion penalty which can serve as a deterrent to entering the program, and therefore teaching. Ensuring that the TEACH Grant Program effectively covers the full cost of comprehensive preparation and reduces debt burdens by amending the program to cover the full cost of attendance, rather than just tuition, fees, and institutionally owned housing. Requiring the Secretary of Education to provide TEACH Grant recipients who have completed their service obligation with electronic certification recognizing their completion. Expanding TEACH Grant eligibility for early educators by allowing service in a high-need early education program to satisfy service requirements and adding early childhood education as a codified shortage subject. Co-sponsors of this legislation include Representatives: Summer Lee (PA-12), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Eleanor Norton (DC-AL), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Judy Chu (CA-28), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), and Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07). For a full list of endorsing organizations click here. Issues : Education