What does Preamble of Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled 'To improve the structure of the Federal Pell Grant program, and for other purposes.'

What does SHORT TITLE. of Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026.

What does FINDINGS. of Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 do?

This section outlines findings related to the Federal Pell Grant program. It states the U.S. needs individuals with skills for an interconnected economy and that higher education investments, like Pell Grants, are crucial. The Federal Pell Grant program is identified as the largest source of federal grant aid for postsecondary education. The program is particularly vital for students of color, with a significant portion of African American and Latino undergraduates relying on it. The text advocates for the Pell Grant program to be a reliable funding source for future generations. It notes that recent legislation (Public Law 119-21) expanded eligibility to short-term training programs but lacked stabilization efforts and introduced new ineligibility criteria. The section suggests making the Pell Grant program fully mandatory and tying its funding to inflation to ensure stability. Restoring eligibility and expanding access to underserved students is presented as a way to provide critical student aid.

What does DOUBLING FEDERAL PELL GRANTS AND PROVIDING ALL FEDERAL PELL of Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 401 of Title 20, United States Code, concerning Federal Pell Grants. It establishes a schedule of increasing maximum Pell Grant awards, starting at $10,000 for the 2026-2027 award year and reaching $15,000 for the 2031-2032 award year. After 2031-2032, the maximum Pell Grant will increase annually based on the Consumer Price Index and rounded to the nearest $50. The legislation authorizes and appropriates funds from the Treasury to cover the Pell Grants. It modifies provisions related to student loan discharge eligibility. Subsections (g) and (h) of Section 401 are redesignated as (g) and (h). Section 406 of H. Con. Res. 95 (109th Congress) is amended to remove a scoring requirement. Section 402D(d)(1) is amended to specify that Student Support Services receive 10 percent of the total maximum Pell Grant. Section 404E(d) is amended to specify that the scholarship component receives less than 10 percent of the total maximum Pell Grant.

What does PROVIDING INCREASED FEDERAL PELL GRANTS AND OTHER ASSISTANCE of Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 401(b)(1) of Title 20 of the U.S. Code to modify Pell Grant eligibility and award amounts for students with negative student aid indexes. Students with a student aid index of less than zero will be eligible for a Pell Grant award exceeding the maximum Pell Grant by an amount equal to the negative index. The amendments also adjust the language related to subparagraphs (B) through (F) of Section 401(b)(1), redesignating them as (C) through (G). Section 473 of Title 20 of the U.S. Code is amended to establish a special rule for recipients of means-tested Federal benefits. For applicants (or their spouses or parents) who received means-tested benefits within the previous two years, the Secretary will consider their student aid index as -$1,500 for Pell Grant purposes.

What does FEDERAL AID ELIGIBILITY FOR DREAMER STUDENTS. of Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 do?

This section amends 20 U.S.C. 1091 to include 'Dreamer students' as eligible individuals. It defines 'Dreamer student' as someone who is not a U.S. citizen or national and is inadmissible or deportable under the Immigration and Nationality Act. To qualify, a Dreamer student must meet certain criteria, including having earned a high school diploma or equivalent, being enrolled in higher education, serving in the uniformed services with an honorable discharge, acquiring a postsecondary credential, or completing two years in a postsecondary program. Alternatively, a Dreamer student may be someone who was eligible for, or would have been eligible for, deferred action under specific Department of Homeland Security memoranda. The Secretary is directed to issue regulations to waive the age requirement for individuals demonstrating compelling circumstances, such as economic hardship.

What does RESTORING THE TOTAL SEMESTERS OF FEDERAL PELL GRANT of Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 401(d)(5)(A) of Title 20 of the United States Code. The amendment changes the number '12' to '18' each time the term appears within that section.

What does REDUCING FINANCIAL AID PENALTIES FROM SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC of Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 484(c) of Title 20 of the U.S. Code concerning satisfactory academic progress. It defines terms such as 'appeal,' 'financial aid probation,' and 'financial aid warning' related to a student's academic progress. Institutions must establish reasonable satisfactory academic progress policies, which must not be more burdensome than policies for students not receiving financial aid. Policies must specify a grade point average or comparable assessment and require students in programs longer than two years to achieve a 'C' average by the end of the second year. Students who fail to meet progress requirements may regain eligibility after two years of non-enrollment, with a maximum of two eligibility resets. Institutions may place students on financial aid warning or probation, potentially allowing them to continue receiving aid under specific conditions. Institutions must notify students of their progress evaluation results and provide information on how to meet academic requirements.

What does RESTORING PELL GRANT ELIGIBILITY FOR CERTAIN STUDENTS WITH of Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 do?

This section amends Section 401(d) of Title 20 of the United States Code. The amendment strikes paragraph (6) of Section 401(d).

What does CONFORMING AMENDMENTS. of Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 do?

This section amends the Act (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) by making conforming changes to several sections. Specific amendments are made to sections 401A(d)(1)(B)(i), 402D(d)(1), 435(a)(5)(A)(i)(I), 894(f)(2)(C)(ii)(I), and 419N(b)(7)(B)(i). The amendments involve striking and inserting specific references to sections 401(b)(2)(B), 401(b)(2)(A), 401(b)(4), 401(c)(1), and 401(b)(1), 401(b)(5), and 401(d) respectively.

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Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026

Last updated: 6/23/2026 · Introduced: 6/23/2026

Author: Mark Pocan (D-WI)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill increases the maximum Pell Grant award, starting at $10,000 in 2026-2027 and reaching $15,000 in 2031-2032, with subsequent annual increases tied to inflation.
Students with a negative student aid index will be eligible for Pell Grant awards exceeding the maximum amount by the value of their negative index.
The bill expands Pell Grant eligibility to include 'Dreamer students' who meet specific educational and immigration criteria.
Institutions must establish reasonable satisfactory academic progress policies for financial aid recipients, providing students with warnings and probation opportunities to regain eligibility.
The bill restores the total number of eligible Pell Grant semesters from 12 to 18.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 9 more.

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