Legislative Tracker: Pell Grants
On this page, you'll find proposals that include recommendations for expanding or altering the Federal Pell Grant Program.
*NEW* 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.
*NEW* 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.
Publication Date: 8/5/2021