Legislative Tracker Archive: Pell Grants

Legislative TrackerOn this page, you'll find previous proposals that include recommendations for expanding or altering the Federal Pell Grant Program. Use these links to jump to a specific session of Congress.

117th Session of Congress

 

H.R.7880 — Degrees Not Debt Act of 2022

Sponsor: Rep. Carbajal [D-CA]
Cosponsors: 0 (0D; 0R)
Introduced: 05/27/2022
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would set the maximum Pell Grant award amount at $13,800 for the 2022-23 school year, and require annual updates based on inflation and cost-of-living adjustments.

H.R.6537 — Pell Grant Sustainability Act

Sponsor: Rep. Casten [D-IL]
Cosponsors: 15 (15D; 0R)
Introduced: 02/01/2022
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would ensure that federal resources keep up with changing economic trends by restoring the automatic annual inflation adjustment to the Federal Pell Grant program.

 

H.R.6425 — AID Act

Sponsor: Rep. DeFazio [D-OR]
Cosponsors: 0
Introduced: 01/19/2022
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would increase the maximum Pell Grant award to $10,230 and index the award going forward to inflation. The bill would allow the Pell Grant to be used for short-term workforce training programs of at least 150 hours or eight weeks and would increase funding for the Federal Work Study and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. 

 

H.R.5926 — Pell Grant Modernization Act

Sponsor: Rep. Grothman [R-WI]
Cosponsors: 0
Introduced: 11/09/2021
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would lower the semester limit for Pell Grant eligibility from 12 semesters to 10 semesters. Under the bill, an eligible program would require an academic year of a minimum of 30 weeks of instruction time for credit hour programs and a minimum of 26 weeks for clock hour programs. In addition, the bill would increase the credit or clock hours required in the definition of full-time, 3/4 time, half-time, and less than half-time based on the change to the definition of an academic year. 

 

H.R.3946 / S.2081 — Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2021

Sponsor: Rep. Pocan [D-WI] 
Cosponsors: 74 (74D)
Introduced: 06/16/2021
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono [D-HI]
Cosponsors: 22 (22D)
Introduced: 06/16/2021
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would make a number of improvements to the Pell grant such as doubling the maximum award of the Pell grant, indexing the award to inflation, and other changes in an overall effort to expand the award for more students and families. Additionally, the bill would make Pell funding fully mandatory, meaning it wouldn't be subject to year-to-year appropriations.

 

H.R.4002 Expanding Access to Graduate Education Act of 2021

Sponsor: Rep. Kuster [D-NH]
Cosponsors: 3 (1D; 2R)
Introduced: 06/17/2021
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would open Pell grant eligibility to students enrolled in graduate school programs. If enacted, this legislation would allow graduate students, who received Pell grants as undergraduates, the ability to apply remaining semesters of Pell eligibility towards a graduate degree, if they continue to meet income requirements. 

 

H.R.2037/S.864 — JOBS Act of 2021

Sponsor: Rep. Levin [D-MI]
Cosponsors: 8
Introduced: 03/18/2021
Sponsor: Sen. Kaine [D-VA]
Cosponsors: 31
Introduced: 03/18/2021
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would expand Pell Grant eligibility to short-term education and training programs. The bill would amend the Higher Education Act to expand Pell Grant eligibility to students enrolled in high-quality job training programs that are at least eight weeks in length and lead to industry-recognized credentials and certificates. Additionally, eligible training or education programs must offer training that meets the needs of the local or regional workforce.

 

116th Session of Congress

 

H.R.7737 - More Choice for Career Training Act

Sponsor: Rep. Carter, [R-TX]
Cosponsors: 0 (0D; 0R)
Introduced: 07/23/2020
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill provides an alternative certification program to enable students to use Federal Pell Grants to enroll in education programs for which students are not otherwise eligible.

H.R.6033 - Pell to Grad Act

Sponsor: Rep. Lawrence [D-MI]
Cosponsors: 5 (5D; 0R)
Introduced: 2/28/2020
NASFAA Summary: This bill would extend students' lifetime Pell Grant eligibility to 16 semesters and allow students who have received a Pell Grant award during their undergraduate education to utilize their remaining Pell eligibility towards their first graduate degree.

 

H.R.4639 - Pell Grant Sustainability Act

Sponsor: Rep. Casten [D-IL]
Cosponsors: 3 (3D; 0R)
Introduced: 10/11/2019
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would index the Pell Grant to inflation. 

 

H.R.4608 - Pell Plus Act of 2019

Sponsor: Rep. Kilmer [D-WA]
Cosponsors: 2 (1D; 1R)
Introduced: 10/04/2019
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: This bill would allow institutions to provide a Pell Grant bonus to low-income students in their third and fourth years to aid in on-time completion. Eligible students who are on track to graduate in four years would be given access to the same total Pell Grant amounts that are currently made available only to those who take six years to complete. The additional funds would be matched by participating institutions. 

 

H.R.4298 - Pell Grant Restoration Act

Sponsor: Rep. Hayes [D-CT]
Cosponsors: 12 (12D; 0R)
Introduced: 9/12/2019
S.2498
Sponsor: Sen. Warren [D-MA] 
Cosponsors: 3 (3D; 0R)
Introduced: 09/18/2019
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: The Pell Grant Restoration Act would restore Pell Grant eligibility for students who attended an institution of higher education that closed due to certain violations. 

 

S.2471 - Degrees Not Debt Act of 2019

Sponsor: Sen. Heinrich [D-NM]
Cosponsors: 0
Introduced: 9/12/2019
NASFAA Summary & Analysis: The Degrees Not Debt Act would increase the maximum amount of the Federal Pell Grant, increase the income threshold for auto-zero EFC calculations as well as creates a simplified FAFSA application for low-income families. 



S.2123 - Break the Higher Education Monopoly Act of 2019

Sponsor: Sen. Hawley [R-MO]
Cosponsors: (0)
Introduced: 7/16/2019
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would expand the allowable use of the Federal Pell Grant program by allowing it to be used by eligible students pursuing vocational programs, like job-training and certification programs.

 

H.R.4073 - Expanding Educational Opportunities for Justice-Impacted Communities Act

Sponsor: Rep. Trone [D-MD]
Cosponsors: 5 (3D; 2R) 
Introduced: 7/25/2019
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would repeal the prohibition on incarcerated individuals to receive Pell Grants, as well as repeal legislation that prohibits students who were convicted of drug-related offenses from receiving federal financial aid. The bill would also ensure that credits earned by incarcerated individuals, if transferred to another institution, in an eligible and equivalent program, would not be treated any differently.

 

H.R.3497 - Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students Act of 2019

Sponsor: Rep. Richmond, Cedric L. [D-LA]
Cosponsors: 5 (3 R; 2 D)
Introduced: 6/26/2019
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would establish a Job Training Federal Pell Grant Program. It would allow Pell Grant funds to be used for short-term job training programs at an institution of higher education.

 

H.R.3334 - Expanding Access to Graduate Education Act of 2019

Sponsor: Rep. Kuster, Ann M. [D-NH]
Cosponsors: 4 (2 R; 2 D)
Introduced: 6/19/2019
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would allow students to use Pell grants for graduate studies.

 

H.R.3101 - Achieving Independence through Degrees (AID) Act

Sponsor: Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR]
Cosponsors: 0
Introduced: 6/05/2019
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill, the Achieving Independence through Degrees (AID) Act, makes a number of changes to the federal student aid programs. The bill increases the Pell Grant maximum award to $10,230 and indexes the maximum award to inflation for subsequent award years. In addition, the bill expands Pell Grant eligibility to certain short-term programs and increases the semester eligibility limit to 15 semesters from 12. The bill would require annual loan counseling and uses the counseling language in the PROSPER Act; however, this bill would not require annual counseling for Pell Grant recipients. The bill would increase funds for the campus-based programs and would revise their allocation formulas. The allocation formula for federal work-study funds would consider the amount of Pell eligible students at an institution, as well as institutional improvement. The bill eliminates the drug conviction provision for student eligibility and requires a financial aid shopping sheet as a nationwide standardized student aid award letter. Finally, the bill would allow certain students to qualify for SNAP based on EFC or certain dependency status questions.

 

H.R.2168 - Restoring Education And Learning (REAL) Act of 2019

Sponsor: Rep. Davis (D-IL)
Cosponsors: 5 (2 R; 3 D)
Introduced: 4/09/2019
S.1074
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz (D-HI)
Cosponsors: 2 (1 R; 1 D)
Introduced: 4/09/2019
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would restore Pell Grant eligibility to incarcerated students.

 

H.R.2161 - Pell Flexibility Act of 2019

Sponsor: Rep. Banks, Jim (R-IN)
Cosponsors: 8 (8 R; 0 D)
Introduced: 4/09/2019
S. 1072
Sponsor: Sen. Braun, Mike (R-IN)
Cosponsors: 0
Introduced: 4/09/2019
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: These companion bills are aimed at allowing the Pell Grant to be used by students enrolled in short-term skill-based programs on a pilot program basis.

 

S.839 - JOBS Act of 2019

Sponsor: Sen. Kaine (D-VA)
Co-Sponsors: 10 (0 R; 10 D)
Introduced: 3/14/2019
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would allow Pell Grant funds to be used for short-term job training programs.

 

115th Session of Congress

 

PASS Act
S. 3423 Sponsor:
Sen. Scott (R-SC)
Co-Sponsors:
1 (1 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
9/6/2018
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill, the Promoting Academic Success Sustainably (PASS) Act, would modify the calculation of the maximum Pell Grant award for award year 2019-20 and beyond. 
       
Access to PELL Act
HR 6935 Sponsor:
Rep. Bera (D-CA)
Co-Sponsors:
0 (0 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
9/27/2018
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill, the Access to Professional Education and Lifelong Learning Act, would award job training Federal Pell Grants to students in job training programs. Eligible students for the job training Pell grant would need to meet the same eligibility requirements as the Federal Pell grant. The maximum job training Federal Pell grant would be capped at 50 percent of the maximum Federal Pell Grant awarded that academic year. Eligible job training programs would be defined as a career and technical education program that provides training aligned with the requirements of employers in the State the applicant is attending the program as well as provides the student a recognized post secondary credential. 
       
PASS Act
S. 3423 Sponsor:
Sen. Scott (R-SC)
Co-Sponsors:
1 (1 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
9/6/2018
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill, the Promoting Academic Success Sustainably Act, would modify the calculation of the maximum Pell Grant award for award year 2019-20 and beyond. 
       
Aim Higher Act
HR 6543 Sponsor:
Rep. Scott (D-VA)
Co-Sponsors:
57 (0 R; 57 D)
Introduced:
7/26/2018
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: The Aim Higher Act is a comprehensive Higher Education Act (HEA) reauthorization bill with notable changes to the federal student aid programs. 
       
Jobs for Justice Act 
HR 5785 Sponsor:
Rep. Richmond (D-LA)
Co-Sponsors:
0 (0 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
5/11/2018
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This comprehensive bill would make several changes to several federal student aid programs. First, the bill would allow Early College Pell Grants to be awarded to students enrolled in postsecondary courses offered in high schools in an amount up to the cost of four full-time postsecondary semesters. This early award would count toward the maximum period for which a student may receive Federal Pell Grants. The bill would also make Federal Pell Grants mandatory funding, setting the maximum Pell Grant award at $6,420 for award year 2020 and restoring the annual inflation-adjustment on the maximum award moving forward. In addition, the legislation would reinstate Pell eligibility for incarcerated individuals. The bill would also make adjustments to the Parent PLUS program, including reducing interest rates, eliminating origination fees, adding upfront counseling requirements, and the inclusion of Parent PLUS in income-contingent and income-based repayment plans. Further, the bill would create a federal partnership grant with states and Indian tribes to waive tuition and fees for two years at eligible community colleges, as well as grant programs to waive or significantly reduce tuition and fees for eligible students at 4-year HBCUs and MSIs. This act would create a grant program to support employers hiring recent college graduates, and to compensate recent college graduates in taking additional STEM courses. The bill would also extend PSLF to environmental health workers.
       
AID Act 
HR 5550 Sponsor:
Rep. DeFazio (D-OR)
Co-Sponsors:
0 (0 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
4/18/2018
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill, the Achieving Independence through Degrees (AID) Act, makes a number of changes to the federal student aid programs. The bill increases the Pell Grant maximum award to $9,970 and indexes the maximum award to inflation for subsequent award years. In addition, the bill expands Pell Grant eligibility to certain short-term programs and increases the semester eligibility limit to 15 semesters from 12. The bill would require annual loan counseling and uses the counseling language in the PROSPER Act; however, this bill would not require annual counseling for Pell Grant recipients. The bill eliminates the drug conviction provision for student eligibility and requires a financial aid shopping sheet as a nationwide standardized student aid award letter. Finally, the bill would allow certain students to qualify for SNAP based on EFC or certain dependency status questions. 
       
PROSPER Act
HR 4508 Sponsor:
Rep. Foxx (R-NC) 
Co-Sponsors:
1 (1 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
12/1/2017 
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: The Promoting Real Opportunity, Success, and Prosperity through Education Reform (PROSPER) Act is a comprehensive Higher Education Act (HEA) reauthorization bill with notable changes to the federal student aid programs. 
Status: 12/13/2017: Passed House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce
 
Pell for Performance Act
HR 4414 Sponsor:
Rep. Rooney (R-FL)
Co-Sponsors:
3 (3 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
11/15/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: Under this bill, Pell Grant recipients who do not complete their program within the maximum timeframe would be required to repay the Pell Grant dollars received in the form of an unsubsidized loan with interest applied retroactively to the date of first disbursement. An individual who defaults on a Pell Grant converted to a loan would lose Pell Grant eligibility. Pell Grant recipients who enroll in another institution less than a year later or who face undue hardship, which includes active duty military service, the death of a relative, personal injury, or "other special circumstances as determined by the institution," would be exempted from this provision.  
       
Pell Grant Modernization Act 
HR 4162 Sponsor:
Rep. Grothman (R-WI)
Co-Sponsors:
1 (1 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
10/27/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would lower the semester limit for Pell Grant eligibility from 12 semesters to 10 semesters. Under the bill, an eligible program would require an academic year of a minimum of 30 weeks of instruction time for credit hour programs and a minimum of 26 weeks for clock hour programs. In addition, the bill would increase the credit or clock hours required in the definition of full-time, 3/4 time, half-time, and less than half-time based on the change to the definition of an academic year. 
       
Expanding America’s Workforce Act 
HR 4078 Sponsor:
Rep. Hunter (R-CA)
Co-Sponsors:
3 (2 R; 1 D)
Introduced:
10/19/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would expand Pell Grant eligibility to short-term programs of eight to 12 weeks. A student is eligible for a short-term Pell Grant if the student has not obtained a baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree within the last 10 years, has not attended an eligible institution within the last five years, and is determined to be unemployed or underemployed by the institution. The maximum short-term Pell Grant award would be 50 percent of the maximum Pell Grant award. The bill also encourages the development of articulation agreements to allow students to earn academic credit for apprenticeship programs and addresses issues surrounding transfer of credit by mandating that identical academic programs of the same level, if approved by the same accreditor, shall be automatically transferable between institutions unless an institution requests an additional assessment to prove competency.
       
Pathways Out of Poverty Act 
HR 4074 Sponsor:
Rep. Lee (D-CA)
Co-Sponsors:
24 (0 R; 24 D)
Introduced:
10/16/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill, designed to "strengthen and expand proven anti-poverty programs and initiatives," includes the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act, which would make a number of improvements to the Federal Pell Grant Program, many of which are long-time NASFAA recommendations. Among the funding changes, the bill would re-instate the annual inflation increase to the maximum award and make Pell funding fully "mandatory," meaning it wouldn't be subject to year-to-year appropriations. In terms of eligibility, the bill would allow incarcerated individuals, undocumented students, students with drug-related offenses, and students enrolled in short-term job training programs to receive Pell Grant. 
       
PROPEL Act
HR 3831 Sponsor:
Rep. Taylor (R-VA)
Co-Sponsors:
2 (0 R; 2 D)
Introduced:
9/26/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill, the Professional Pell Education Learning (PROPEL) Act, would expand institutional eligibility for Pell Grants to nontraditional institutions authorized to receive GI Bill benefits, such as short-term vocational or technical training, apprenticeships, or other on-job training. Eligible programs must be less than 600 clock hours, 16 semester hours, or 24 quarter hours of instruction and offered in a period of less than 15 weeks. 
       
Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act
S. 1136 Sponsor:
Sen. Hirono (D-HI)
Co-Sponsors:
9 (0 R; 9 D)
Introduced:
5/16/2017
HR 2451 Sponsor:
Rep. Davis (D-CA)
Co-Sponsors:
76 (0 R; 76 D)
Introduced:
5/16/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would make a number of improvements to the Federal Pell Grant Program, many of which are long-time NASFAA recommendations. Among the funding changes, the bill would re-instate the annual inflation increase to the maximum award and make Pell funding fully "mandatory," meaning it wouldn't be subject to year-to-year appropriations. In terms of eligibility, the bill would allow incarcerated individuals, undocumented students, students with drug-related offenses, and students enrolled in short-term job training programs to receive Pell Grant. 
 
Pell Grant Restoration Act
S. 1135 Sponsor:
Sen. Warren (D-MA)
Co-Sponsors:
5 (0 R; 5 D)
Introduced:
5/16/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: The bill would provide students who have attended a fraudulent institution to reset their Pell Grant lifetime eligibility under certain circumstances. Under this measure, Pell Grant eligibility would be restored for students who have had their student loans discharged through compromise and settlement authority, defenses to repayment, or statutory discharges or for students who would qualify under these provisions if they had taken out a federal student loan.
 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017
HR 244 Sponsor:
Rep. Cook (R-CA)
Co-Sponsors:
28 (19 R; 9 D)
Introduced:
5/3/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill, the omnibus spending bill for federal fiscal year 2017, includes the restoration of the "year-round Pell Grant" and a cut to the Pell Grant program surplus. In addition, the spending bill provides level funding for the Federal Work Study (FWS) and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) programs. 
Status: 5/5/2017: Signed into Law by President Trump
       
Middle Class CHANCE Act
S. 996 Sponsor:
Sen. Heinrich (D-NM)
Co-Sponsors:
0 (0 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
5/1/2017
HR 2260 Sponsor:
Rep. Carbajal (D-CA)
Co-Sponsors:
13 (0 R; 13 D)
Introduced:
5/1/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill, the Middle Class Creating Higher Education Affordability Necessary to Compete Economically (CHANCE) Act, would raise the maximum Pell Grant award to $9,650 and continue to index the maximum award to inflation. In addition, this measure would restore the year-round Pell Grant (permitting access to a second scheduled Pell Grant award) to both part-time and full-time students. Under this legislation, a student may only receive up to 150% of the annual maximum award, the additional Pell Grant counts toward the student's lifetime eligibility, and institutions determine the assignment of crossover periods. Finally, the bill raises Pell Grant lifetime eligibility to 15 semesters from 12. 
 
Year-Round Pell Grant Restoration Act
S. 900 Sponsor:
Sen. Hirono (D-HI)
Co-Sponsors:
9 (0 R; 9 D)
Introduced:
4/7/2017
HR 2084 Sponsor:
Rep. Roybal-Allard (D-CA)
Co-Sponsors:
35 (0 R; 35 D)
Introduced:
4/8/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would reinstate year-round Pell by allowing continuously enrolled students to receive more than one scheduled award in an award year. While still maintaining the 12-semester or equivalent limit, the bill would allow students to draw down from a "well" of Pell funds at their own pace.
 
Go to High School, Go to College Act
S. 840 Sponsor:
Sen. Portman (R-OH)
Co-Sponsors:
1 (0 R; 1 D)
Introduced:
4/5/2017
HR 4435 Sponsor:
Rep. Faso (R-NY)
Co-Sponsors:
10 (5 R; 5 D)
Introduced:
11/16/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This piece of legislation would permit early college high school students to receive Pell Grant funds for completing college coursework while in high school, such as through dual enrollment programs. Any Pell Grant received through this expansion would count towards a student's Pell Grant lifetime eligibility limit, though the Secretary of Education may waive this provision on a case-by-case basis "for any student demonstrating evidence of a credible disruption or redirection in course of study necessitating additional time to complete a postsecondary degree or credential." 
 
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to discontinue certain administrative cost allowances, and for other purposes.
HR 1767 Sponsor:
Rep. Russell (R-OK)
Co-Sponsors:
0 (0 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
3/28/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would eliminate the Pell Grant Program administrative cost allowance, funds financial aid offices use for administering the program.
       
Flexible Pell Grant for 21st Century Students Act
HR 1485 Sponsor:
Rep. Stefanik (R-NY)
Co-Sponsors:
37 (24 R; 13 D)
Introduced:
3/9/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This piece of legislation, reintroduced in 2017, was introduced in 2015 as part of a package of bills introduced by House Republicans as the basis for reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. This bill would reinstate the year-round Pell Grant award, or "Summer Pell." Under this bill, a student could receive up to 150% of his or her scheduled award during an award year; however, a student must be using the additional scheduled award to "accelerate" his or her program of study. "Accelerate" would mean that the total number of credits (or equivalent) earned during the previous payment periods in the award year plus the credits in which the student enrolls during the additional payment period together must exceed the number of credits in the institution’s definition of academic year for the student’s program of study. 
       
Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act
HR 949 Sponsor:
Rep. Fitzpatrick (R-PA)
Co-Sponsors:
31 (15 R; 16 D)
Introduced:
2/7/2017
Sponsor:
Sen. Casey (D-PA)
Co-Sponsors:
5 (2 R; 3 D)
Introduced:
3/9/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would allow students who are less than 24 years old or enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of a death of a parent or guardian who died in the line of duty as a police officer, firefighter, or other public safety officer to receive the maximum Pell Grant award. 
 
All-Year ACCESS Act
HR 813 Sponsor:
Rep. Sanchez (D-CA)
Co-Sponsors:
85 (0 R; 85 D)
Introduced:
2/1/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: The bill would restore the year-round Pell Grant (permitting access to a second scheduled Pell Grant award) to both part-time and full-time students. Under this legislation, a student may only receive up to 150% of the annual maximum award, the additional Pell Grant counts toward the student's lifetime eligibility, and institutions determine the assignment of crossover periods.
 
Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students (JOBS) Act
S. 206  Sponsor:
Sen. Kaine (D-VA)
Co-Sponsors:
7 (1 R; 6 D)
Introduced:
1/24/2017
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would allow Pell Grant funds to be used for short-term job training programs at an institution of higher education. The maximum award for a job training Pell Grant would be 50% of the current maximum award amount and would not be subject to the annual inflation adjustment to the maximum award, meaning in award year 2017-2018, a hypothetical job training Pell Grant would have a maximum award of $2,430.
 
Early Pell Promise Act
HR 413 Sponsor:
Rep. Lawrence (D-MI)
Co-Sponsors:
0 (0 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
1/10/2017
S. 3769 Sponsor:
Sen. Stabenow (D-MI)
Co-Sponsors:
1 (1 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
12/18/2018
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would create an "Early Federal Pell Grant Commitment Program," which would be administered by state educational agencies.  The initiative would provide a two-year Pell Grant commitment for use at an institution of higher education to qualifying 8th grade students on the basis of their eligibility for free or reduced lunch. A student would not receive a Pell Grant for the second year of the commitment if the expected family contribution were more than twice the threshold amount for Pell Grant eligibility for that year. Students in the program are automatically eligible for the maximum Pell Grant award for that award year. This legislation is modeled after the Kalamazoo Promise program in Michigan.
 
REAL Act
HR 254 Sponsor:
Rep. Davis (D-IL)
Co-Sponsors:
5 (0 R; 5 D)
Introduced:
1/4/2017
S. 2423 Sponsor:
Sen. Schatz (D-HI)
Co-Sponsors:
15 (0 R; 14 D; 1 I)
Introduced:
2/13/2018
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill, the Restoring Education And Learning Act, would reinstate Federal Pell Grant eligibility for individuals incarcerated in Federal and State penal institutions.

 

114th Session of Congress

 

Financial Aid Simplification and Transparency Act (FAST Act)
S.108 Sponsor:
Sen. Alexander (R-TN)
Co-Sponsors:
11 (7 R; 3 D; 1 I)
Introduced:
1/7/2015
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: The bill would eliminate the FAFSA in favor of a two question postcard, move to a one grant/one loan program, reinstate year-round Pell, provide authority to limit loans, among several other changes.

 

Affordability for Constant and Continual Education to Enhance Student Success Act (All-Year ACCESS Act)
HR 242 Sponsor:
Rep. L. Sanchez (D-CA, 46)
Co-Sponsors:
77 (0 R; 77 D)
Introduced:
1/9/2015
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: The bill would restore the year-round Pell Grant to both part-time and full-time students. Under this legislation, a student may only receive up to 150% of the annual maximum award, and institutions determine the assignment of crossover periods.

 

Pell Grant Funding Act
HR 939 Sponsor:
Rep. Kind (D-WI, 3)
Co-Sponsors:
9 (0 R; 9 D)
Introduced:
2/12/2015
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would redirect any potential surplus at the end of each federal fiscal year from the Direct Loan Program into Pell.

 

Access to Education and Training Act
HR 1064 Sponsor:
Rep. Bustos (D-IL, 17)
Co-Sponsors:
3 (0 R; 3 D)
Introduced:
2/25/2015
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would reinstate the year-round Pell Grant with the original language, including the acceleration component, found in the 2008 Higher Education Opportunity Act.

 

Pell Grant Protection Act
S. 1060 Sponsor:
Sen. Hirono (D-HI)
Co-Sponsors:
4 (0 R; 3 D; 1 I)
Introduced:
4/22/2015
HR 1956 Sponsor:
Rep. Hinojosa (D-TX, 15)
Co-Sponsors:
23 (0 R; 23 D)
Introduced:
4/22/2015
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This piece of legislation would eliminate Pell’s split funding process (between mandatory and discretionary spending) and move all funds to the mandatory side, thus eliminating the need for Pell to be subject to annual appropriations each year. This essentially provides a guarantee of funds.

 

Pell Grant Cost of Tuition Adjustment Act
S. 1061 Sponsor:
Sen. Hirono (D-HI)
Co-Sponsors:
7 (0 R; 7 D)
Introduced:
4/22/2015
HR 1957 Sponsor:
Rep. Hinojosa (D-TX, 15)
Co-Sponsors:
25 (0 R; 25 D)
Introduced:
4/22/2015
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill assumes that Pell would be fully funded by mandatory funds and calls for an annual increase to the Pell Grant based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Workers (CPI-W). The bill would also increase the maximum award to $9,139 to match the national average tuition and fees for in-state students at four-year public schools.

 

Year-Round Pell Grant Restoration Act
S. 1062 Sponsor:
Sen. Hirono (D-HI)
Co-Sponsors:
12 (0 R; 11 D; 1 I)
Introduced:
4/22/2015
HR 1958 Sponsor:
Rep. Hinojosa (D-TX, 15)
Co-Sponsors:
28 (0 R; 28 D)
Introduced:
4/22/2015
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would effectively reinstate year-round Pell by allowing continuously enrolled students to receive more than one scheduled award in an award year. While still maintaining the 12-semester or equivalent limit, the bill would allow students to draw down from a “well” of Pell funds at their own pace.

 

Go to High School, Go to College Act
HR 2065 Sponsor:
Rep. Fudge (D-OH, 11)
Co-Sponsors:
14 (6 R; 8 D)
Introduced:
4/28/2015
S. 1106 Sponsor:
Sen. Portman (R-OH)
Co-Sponsors:
3 (1 R; 2 D)
Introduced:
4/28/2015
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This piece of legislation would permit high school students to receive Pell Grant funds for completing college coursework while in high school, such as through dual enrollment programs.

 

Early Pell Promise Act
S. 1128 Sponsor:
Sen. Stabenow (D-MI)
Co-Sponsors:
0 (0 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
4/29/2015
HR 4415 Sponsor:
Rep. Lawrence (D-MI, 14)
Co-Sponsors:
6 (0 R; 6 D)
Introduced:
2/1/2016
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would provide a 2-year Pell Grant commitment to qualifying 8th grade students who are eligible for free or reduced lunch. That funding will be available upon graduation to help pay for tuition at a college or university. A student may not receive the early Pell Grant for a succeeding year if the expected family contribution for either year is more than twice the threshold amount for Pell Grant eligibility for that year. This legislation is modeled after the Kalamazoo Promise program in Michigan.

 

Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act
HR 2350 Sponsor:
Rep. Fitzpatrick (R-PA, 8)
Co-Sponsors:
41 (14 R; 27 D)
Introduced:
5/15/2015
S. 1352 Sponsor:
Sen. Casey (D-PA)
Co-Sponsors:
4 (2 R; 2 D)
Introduced:
5/14/2015
Status: 5/10/2016: Passed Senate
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would generate an automatic zero EFC for students who are less than 24 years old or enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of a death of a parent or guardian who died in the line of duty as a police officer, firefighter, or other public safety officer.

 

Restoring Education And Learning Act
HR 2521 Sponsor:
Rep. Edwards (D-MD, 4)
Co-Sponsors:
59 (0 R; 59 D)
Introduced:
5/21/2015
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would eliminate the provision that prohibits Pell Grant eligibility for individuals incarcerated in a federal or state penal institution and for sex offenders subject to civil commitment following incarceration.

 

Flexible Pell Grant for 21st Century Students Act
HR 3180 Sponsor:
Rep. Stefanik (R-NY, 21)
Co-Sponsors:
51 (28 R; 23 D)
Introduced:
7/23/2015
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This legislation was introduced as part of package by House Republicans as the basis for reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. This bill would reinstate the Year-Round Pell Grant award. Under this bill, a student could receive up to 150% of his or her Scheduled Award during an award year.

 

Kids Before Cons Act
HR 3327 Sponsor:
Rep. Collins (R-NY, 27)
Co-Sponsors:
2 (2 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
7/29/2015
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill, in response to President Obama’s “Second Chance Pell” pilot program, would prohibit the awarding of Pell Grants to incarcerated individuals.

 

Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students (JOBS) Act
S. 1900 Sponsor:
Sen. Kaine (D-VA)
Co-Sponsors:
2 (2 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
7/30/2015
HR 3985 Sponsor:
Rep. Richmond (D-LA, 2)
Co-Sponsors:
6 (1 R; 5 D)
Introduced:
11/5/2015
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would allow Pell Grant funds to be used for short-term job training programs.

 

Middle Class Creating Higher Education Affordability Necessary to Compete Economically (CHANCE) Act
S. 1998 Sponsor:
Sen. Heinrich (D-NM)
Co-Sponsors:
1 (0 R; 1 D)
Introduced:
8/5/2015
HR 5310 Sponsor:
Rep. L. Sanchez (D-CA, 46)
Co-Sponsors:
40 (0 R; 40 D)
Introduced:
5/23/2016
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This legislation would, among other things, address the significant loss in value of Pell Grants by adjusting them for inflation, reinstate year-round Pell Grants, and increase the number of eligible semesters to 15. The bill would increase the maximum award amount of a Pell Grant to $9,410 starting in 2017-2018.

 

Pell Grant Restoration Act
HR 3512 Sponsor:
Rep. Scott (D-VA, 3)
Co-Sponsors:
63 (0 R; 63 D)
Introduced:
9/16/2015
S. 2037 Sponsor:
Sen. Boxer (D-CA)
Co-Sponsors:
5 (0 R; 4 D; 1 I)
Introduced:
9/16/2015
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: The bill would provide students who have attended a fraudulent institution to reset their Pell Grant lifetime eligibility under certain circumstances. Under this measure, Pell Grant eligibility would be restored for students who have had their student loans discharged through compromise and settlement authority, defenses to repayment, or statutory discharges or for students who would qualify under these provisions if they had taken out a federal student loan.

 

Higher Education Savings Accounts Act
HR 4222 Sponsor:
Rep. Carney (D-DE)
Co-Sponsors:
0 (0 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
12/10/2015
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would create a pilot program that establishes "higher education savings accounts" for ninth and tenth grade students who participate in the free/reduced lunch program based on the current Pell Grant maximum award amount. 

 

Pathways to an Affordable Education Act
HR 4386 Sponsor:
Rep. Kilmer (D-WA, 6)
Co-Sponsors:
13 (0 R; 13 D)
Introduced:
1/13/2016
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill makes several comprehensive changes to the Federal Pell Grant program. The bill would (1) move all funding for the program to the mandatory portion of the federal budget, (2) exclude the use of Pell Grant funds on indirect costs of attendance (housing, food, etc.) from the calculation of taxable income, (3) allow students to receive Pell funds for 15 semesters, instead of 12, (4) reinstate a year-round Pell Grant program, and (5) increase the maximum Pell award from its current level of $5,775 to $9,139 and index Pell Grant amounts in future years to the Consumer Price Index, among several other changes.

 

In the Red Act
S. 2677 Sponsor:
Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
Co-Sponsors:
28 (0 R; 28 D)
Introduced:
3/15/2016
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: The In the Red Act would simply combine some of the higher education legislation introduced in the Senate in 2015 by Democrats - including the America’s College Promise Act, which would make two years of community college and the first two years at HBCUs and MSIs tuition free; the Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act, which allows borrowers to refinance their loans; and the Pell Grant Cost of Tuition Adjustment Act, which would increase the Pell Grant maximum award to $9,139, indexed annually to inflation -- into one package. The bill also includes language calling for enhanced accountability for institutions, but does not include legislative language to implement any sort of accountability system.

 

Pell for Performance Act
HR 4808 Sponsor:
Rep. Salmon (R-AZ, 5)
Co-Sponsors:
0 (0 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
3/17/2016
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: In this bill, Pell Grant recipients who do not complete their program within the maximum timeframe will be required to repay the Pell Grant dollars received in the form of an unsubsidized loan with interest applied retroactively to the date of first disbursement. Pell Grant recipients who enroll in another institution less than a year later or who face undue hardship, which includes active duty military service, the death of a relative, personal injury, or "other special circumstances as determined by the institution," would be exempted from this provision.  

 

FY 2017 Appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies
S. 3040 Sponsor:
Sen. Blunt (R-MO)
Co-Sponsors:
0 (0 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
6/9/2016
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: The FY2017 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Bill, the bill that sets the funding levels for several large domestic government agencies, provides all funding for federal student aid programs. Importantly, the bill cuts $1.2 billion from the Pell Grant surplus and restores year-round Pell without some of the provisions that caused implementation challenges in the last iteration. 
Status: 6/9/2016: Passed out of Committee

 

Restoring Education and Learning (REAL) Act
S. 3122 Sponsor:
Sen. Schatz (D-HI)
Co-Sponsors:
8 (0 R; 7 D; 1 I)
Introduced:
6/29/2016
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would reinstate Federal Pell Grant eligibility for individuals incarcerated in Federal and State penal institutions.

 

Promoting Readiness through Early Pell (PREP) Act
HR 5702 Sponsor:
Rep. Takano (D-CA, 41)
Co-Sponsors:
1 (0 R; 1 D)
Introduced:
7/8/2016
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would expand eligibility for Pell Grants to high school students who are dually or concurrently enrolled at a public institution of higher education. The bill would also prohibit state and local educational agencies from withholding funds that would have otherwise been available to the institution of higher education if they weren’t receiving the Early Pell Grant. The bill also calls for high schools to provide additional counseling for dually enrolled students and annual reports with data on students who receive a Pell Grant for dual enrollment and their persistence.

 

Helping Improve Grants for Higher Education & Repayment of Expensive Debt (HIGHER ED) Act
HR 6239 Sponsor:
Rep. DeFazio (D-OR, 4)
Co-Sponsors:
0 (0 R; 0 D)
Introduced:
9/28/2016
NASFAA Analysis & Coverage: This bill would increase the maximum Pell Grant award to $9,410, indexed annually for inflation, and would restore year-round Pell, while allowing institutions to assign crossover periods and without an acceleration component. The bill would restore graduate and professional student eligibility for subsidized loans and expand Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility to adjunct faculty members. In addition, borrowers would be able to discharge federal student loans in bankruptcy and refinance both federal and private loans at current interest rates. 

 

Return to Legislative Tracker Archive

Publication Date: 2/14/2023


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