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

This bill is formally titled 'A bill 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 the Pell Grant, are crucial. The Federal Pell Grant program is identified as the largest source of federal grant aid for postsecondary education and is particularly important for students of color. The text expresses a desire for the Pell Grant program to be a reliable funding source for future generations. Recent legislation (Public Law 119-21) expanded eligibility to short-term training programs but lacked stabilization efforts and introduced eligibility restrictions based on non-Federal aid. The section suggests making the Pell Grant program fully mandatory and indexed to inflation to ensure its stability. Restoring eligibility cuts and expanding access to underserved students is presented as a means 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 section 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 struck, and subsections (i), (j), and (k) are redesignated as (g), (h), and (i) respectively. Section 406 of H. Con. Res. 95 (109th Congress) is amended to repeal 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 modifies regulations concerning Federal Pell Grants, specifically addressing students with negative student aid indexes. It increases the maximum Federal Pell Grant amount for students with a student aid index of less than zero. The legislation establishes a rule where students with a negative student aid index are eligible for a Pell Grant exceeding the maximum by an amount equal to the index's negative value. It amends Section 473 to establish a special rule for recipients of means-tested Federal benefits, setting their student aid index to -$1,500 for Pell Grant eligibility purposes. The changes also involve redesignating subparagraphs within Section 401(b)(1) and modifying language related to Pell Grant eligibility based on student aid index thresholds.

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. It defines 'Dreamer student' as an individual 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 an individual 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' within the context of satisfactory academic progress. Institutions must establish reasonable satisfactory academic progress policies, considering factors like grade point average and academic standing. Students who fail to meet satisfactory academic progress may be placed on financial aid warning or probation, potentially allowing them to continue receiving aid for a limited time. Students may appeal a determination of unsatisfactory academic progress based on circumstances like the death of a relative or illness. Students who have not been enrolled in higher education for two years may have their eligibility reset. Institutions must notify students of their progress evaluation results and provide information on how to meet academic requirements.

What does RESTORING FEDERAL PELL GRANT ELIGIBILITY FOR CERTAIN STUDENTS 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 the aforementioned section.

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

This section amends several sections of the Act (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.). 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(k) and replacing them with references to 401(b)(2), 401(b)(1), 401(b)(5), 401(d), and 401(i), respectively. The amendments affect sections 401A, 402D, 435, 481, 894, and 419N.

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Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026

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

Author: Mazie Hirono (D-HI)

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 Grants exceeding the maximum amount by an amount equal to the negative value of their 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 and provide students with opportunities for appeal and eligibility reset after periods of non-enrollment.
The bill increases the total number of semesters for which a student can receive Pell Grants 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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