Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2021

To improve the structure of the Federal Pell Grant program, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2021 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) The United States needs individuals with the knowledge, skills, and abilities that enable them to thrive as educated citizens in society and successfully participate in an interconnected economy. (2) Investments in higher education through student aid such as the Federal Pell Grant program under section 401 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1070a (3) The Federal Pell Grant program is the largest source of federally funded grant aid for postsecondary education. (4) The Federal Pell Grant program allows millions of people of the United States to attend college and is especially vital for students of color. Three in 5 African American undergraduate students, and one-half of all Latino undergraduate students, rely on the Federal Pell Grant program. (5) The Federal Pell Grant program should continue to be a reliable source of funding for aspiring students, their families, and future generations that they can count on to be there for them when they seek higher education. (6) To stabilize Federal Pell Grant funding and ensure the grant will continue to serve millions of students now and in the future, the program should become a fully mandatory program that grows with inflation. (7) Restoring prior eligibility cuts and expanding access to underserved students will give millions of students and families the critical student aid support they need and deserve. 3. Table of contents; references (a) Table of contents The table of contents of this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title. Sec. 2. Findings. Sec. 3. Table of contents; references. Sec. 4. Doubling Federal Pell Grants and providing all Federal Pell Grants through mandatory funding. Sec. 5. Providing increased Federal Pell Grants and other assistance for recipients of means-tested benefits. Sec. 6. Federal Pell Grant eligibility for dreamer students. Sec. 7. Providing Federal Pell Grants for dependents of fallen heroes. Sec. 8. Restoring the total semesters of Federal Pell Grant eligibility. Sec. 9. Reducing financial aid penalties from satisfactory academic progress determinations. Sec. 10. Conforming amendments. Sec. 11. Effective date. (b) References Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq. 4. Doubling Federal Pell Grants and providing all Federal Pell Grants through mandatory funding (a) Amount of minimum Federal Pell Grants Section 401 ( 20 U.S.C. 1070a Public Law 116–260 FAFSA Simplification Act (1) in subsection (a)(2)(F), by striking 10 percent 5 percent (2) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (1)(B)(i), by striking paragraph (5)(A) paragraph (5) (B) by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the following: (5) Maximum Federal Pell Grant (A) Award year 2023–2024 For award year 2023–2024, the total maximum Federal Pell Grant award shall be $9,000. (B) Award year 2024–2025 For award year 2024–2025, the total maximum Federal Pell Grant award shall be $10,000. (C) Award year 2025–2026 For award year 2025–2026, the total maximum Federal Pell Grant award shall be $11,000. (D) Award year 2026–2027 For award year 2026–2027, the total maximum Federal Pell Grant award shall be $12,000. (E) Award year 2027–2028 For award year 2027–2028, the total maximum Federal Pell Grant award shall be $13,000. (F) Award year 2028–2029 and subsequent years For award year 2028–2029, and each subsequent award year, the total maximum Federal Pell Grant award shall be $13,000— (i) increased by the adjustment percentage for the award year for which the amount under this subparagraph is being determined; and (ii) rounded to the nearest $50. (G) Definition of adjustment percentage In this paragraph, the term adjustment percentage, ; (C) by striking paragraphs (6) and (7) and inserting the following: (6) Appropriation of funds There are authorized to be appropriated, and there are appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023 and each subsequent fiscal year to provide the total maximum Federal Pell Grant for which a student shall be eligible under this section during an award year. ; and (D) by redesignating paragraphs (8) and (9) as paragraphs (7) and (8), respectively; (3) in subsection (d)(5)(B)(ii)— (A) in subclause (I)(bb), by striking or (B) in subclause (II)(bb)(CC), by striking the period and inserting ; or (C) by adding at the end the following: (III) during a period for which the student did not receive a loan under this title but for which, if the student had received such a loan, the student would have qualified for loan forgiveness under subclause (II)(bb)(CC). ; (4) by striking subsections (g) and (h); and (5) by redesignating subsections (i) and (j) as subsections (g) and (h), respectively. (b) Repeal of scoring requirement (1) In general Section 406 of H. Con. Res. 95 (109th Congress) is amended— (A) by striking subsection (b); and (B) by striking (a) In general Upon (2) Effective date The amendments made by paragraph (1) shall take effect beginning on July 1, 2023. (c) Adjustment for award year 2022–2023 Notwithstanding section 401(b)(7)(C)(iii) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1070a(b)(7)(C)(iii) 5. Providing increased Federal Pell Grants and other assistance for recipients of means-tested benefits (a) Increased amount of maximum Federal Pell Grants for students with negative student aid indexes Section 401(b)(1) ( 20 U.S.C. 1070a(b)(1) (1) in subparagraph (A)— (A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking A student Except in the case of a student with a student aid index of less than zero, a student (B) by striking clause (i); and (C) by redesignating clauses (ii) and (iii) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively; (2) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (E) as subparagraphs (C) through (F), respectively; (3) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following: (B) A student with a student aid index of less than zero shall receive a Federal Pell Grant award that exceeds the total maximum Federal Pell Grant by an amount equal to the amount by which the student’s student aid index is less than zero. ; (4) in subparagraph (C), as redesignated by paragraph (2)— (A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking subparagraph (A) for an academic year, subparagraph (A), or an increased Federal Pell Grant under subparagraph (B), for an academic year, (B) in clause (ii), by striking , except that a student aid index of less than zero shall be considered to be zero for the purposes of this clause (5) in subparagraph (D), as redesignated by paragraph (2), by striking (A) or (B) (A), (B), or (C) (6) in subparagraph (E), as redesignated by paragraph (2), by inserting or an increased Federal Pell Grant under subparagraph (B) subparagraph (A) (7) in subparagraph (F), as redesignated by paragraph (2), by striking or a minimum Federal Pell Grant under subparagraph (C) an increased Federal Pell Grant under subparagraph (B), or a minimum Federal Pell Grant under subparagraph (D) (b) Special student aid index rule for recipients of means-Tested benefits Section 473 ( 20 U.S.C. 1087mm (d) Special rule for means-Tested benefit recipients Notwithstanding subsection (b), for an applicant (or, as applicable, an applicant and spouse, or an applicant’s parents) who, at any time during the previous 24-month period, received a benefit under a means-tested Federal benefit program (or whose parent or spouse received such a benefit, as applicable), the Secretary shall for the purposes of this title consider the student aid index as equal to –$1,500 for the applicant. . 6. Federal Pell Grant eligibility for dreamer students Section 484 ( 20 U.S.C. 1091 (1) in subsection (a)(5), by inserting , or be a Dreamer student, as defined in subsection (u) becoming a citizen or permanent resident (2) by adding at the end the following: (u) Dreamer students (1) In general In this section, the term Dreamer student (A) (i) is not a citizen or national of the United States; and (ii) is inadmissible or deportable under the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq. (B) (i) in the case of such an individual who was younger than 18 years of age on the date on which the individual initially entered the United States— (I) has earned a high school diploma, the recognized equivalent of such diploma from a secondary school, or a high school equivalency diploma recognized by State law, or is scheduled to complete the requirements for such a diploma or equivalent before the next academic year begins; (II) is enrolled at an institution of higher education pursuant to subsection (d); (III) has served in the uniformed services (as such term is defined in section 101 of title 10, United States Code) for not less than 2 years and, if discharged, received an honorable discharge; (IV) has acquired a degree, certificate, or recognized postsecondary credential from an institution of higher education or area career and technical education school (as such term is defined in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 ( 20 U.S.C. 2302 (V) has completed not less than 2 years in a postsecondary program at an institution of higher education, or area career and technical education school, in the United States and has made satisfactory academic progress, as defined in subsection (c), during such time period; or (ii) (I) is, or at any time was, eligible for a grant of deferred action pursuant to— (aa) the memorandum of the Department of Homeland Security entitled Exercising Prosecutorial Discretion with Respect to Individuals Who Came to the United States as Children (bb) the memorandum of the Department of Homeland Security entitled Exercising Prosecutorial Discretion with Respect to Individuals Who Came to the United States as Children and with Respect to Certain Individuals Who Are the Parents of U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents (II) would have been eligible for such a grant of deferred action if the applicable memorandum described in subclause (I) had been fully in effect since the date on which it was issued. (2) Hardship exception The Secretary shall issue regulations that direct when the Department shall waive the age requirement of paragraph (1)(B)(i) for an individual to qualify as a Dreamer student under such paragraph, if the individual demonstrates compelling circumstances. . 7. Providing Federal Pell Grants for dependents of fallen heroes (a) In general Part A of title IV ( 20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq. (1) in section 401— (A) in subsection (c)— (i) in paragraph (2)— (I) by striking subparagraph (A); and (II) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively; (ii) in paragraph (3), by striking (2)(B)(i) (2)(A)(i) (iii) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (7); and (iv) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following: (5) Prevention of double benefits No eligible student described in paragraph (2) may receive a grant under both this subsection and subsection (b) concurrently. (6) Terms and conditions The Secretary shall award grants under this subsection in the same manner and with the same terms and conditions, including the length of the period of eligibility, as the Secretary awards Federal Pell Grants under subsection (b), except that— (A) the award rules and determination of need applicable to the calculation of Federal Pell Grants under subsection (b)(1) shall not apply to grants made under this subsection; and (B) the maximum period determined under subsection (d)(5) shall be determined by including all grants made under this section received by the eligible student and all grants so received under subpart 10 before the effective date of this subsection. ; and (2) by striking subpart 10 of part A ( 20 U.S.C. 1070h (b) Transition The Secretary shall take such steps as are necessary to transition from the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants program under subpart 10 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1070h 20 U.S.C. 1070a(c) 8. Restoring the total semesters of Federal Pell Grant eligibility Section 401(c)(5)(A), as added by section 703 of the FAFSA Simplification Act, is amended by striking 12 18 9. Reducing financial aid penalties from satisfactory academic progress determinations Section 484(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1091(c) (c) Satisfactory progress (1) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Appeal The term appeal (B) Financial aid probation The term financial aid probation (C) Financial aid warning The term financial aid warning (D) Payment period The term payment period (2) Satisfactory academic progress policy An institution shall establish a reasonable satisfactory academic progress policy for determining whether an otherwise eligible student is making satisfactory academic progress in the student’s educational program and may receive assistance under this title. The Secretary shall consider the institution’s policy to be reasonable if— (A) the policy is at least as strict as the policy the institution applies to a student who is not receiving assistance under this title; (B) the policy provides for consistent application of standards to all students, including full-time, part-time, undergraduate, and graduate students, and all educational programs established by the institution; (C) (i) the policy specifies the grade point average that a student must achieve at each evaluation, or if a grade point average is not an appropriate qualitative measure, a comparable assessment measured against a norm; and (ii) if a student is enrolled in an educational program of more than 2 academic years, the policy specifies that at the end of the second academic year, the student must have a grade point average of at least a C (D) the policy provides for measurement of the student’s progress at each evaluation; (E) the policy describes— (i) how a student’s grade point average and the pace at which the student progresses toward completion are affected by course incompletes, withdrawals, or repetitions, or transfers of credit from other institutions, including that credit hours from another institution that are accepted toward the student’s educational program are counted as both attempted and completed hours; and (ii) how after a student reenrolls after the student’s satisfactory academic progress was reset pursuant to paragraph (3)(B), the student may have any credits that were earned before the student was determined not to be making satisfactory academic progress counted for purposes of determining progress when the student reenrolls, but any attempted hours that were not earned by the student (including incompletes, withdrawn courses, and failed courses) before the student was determined not to be making satisfactory academic progress will not negatively impact the determination of whether the student made satisfactory academic progress after such reset; (F) the policy provides that, except as provided in subparagraph (G) with respect to a student placed on financial aid warning or financial aid probation and paragraph (3), a student is no longer eligible to receive assistance under this title if the student has not achieved the required grade point average or who is not making progress toward completion in the student’s educational program— (i) at the time of each evaluation with respect to a student who is in an educational program of 2 academic years or less in length; or (ii) at the end of the second academic year with respect to a student who is in an educational program of more than 2 academic years in length; (G) the policy describes when students will be placed on financial aid warning or financial aid probation, in accordance with paragraph (4), and provides that— (i) a student on financial aid warning— (I) may receive assistance under this title for one payment period despite a determination that the student is not making satisfactory academic progress; and (II) may be assigned such status without an appeal or other action by the student; and (ii) (I) a student on financial aid probation may receive assistance under this title for one payment period and the institution may require the student to fulfill specific terms and conditions, such as taking a reduced course load or enrolling in specific courses; and (II) at the end of such one payment period, the student is required to meet the institution’s satisfactory academic progress standards, or meet the requirements of the academic plan developed by the institution and the student, in order to qualify for continued assistance under this title; (H) if the institution permits a student to appeal a determination by the institution that the student is not making satisfactory academic progress, the policy describes— (i) how the student may reestablish the student’s eligibility to receive assistance under this title; (ii) the basis on which the student may file an appeal, including because of the death of a relative, an injury or illness of the student, or another special circumstance; and (iii) information the student is required to submit regarding why the student failed to make satisfactory academic progress, and what has changed in the student’s situation that will allow the student to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress at the next evaluation; (I) if the institution does not permit a student to appeal a determination by the institution that the student is not making satisfactory academic progress, the policy describes how the student may reestablish the student’s eligibility to receive assistance under this title; (J) the policy provides for notification to students of the results of an evaluation that impacts the student’s eligibility for assistance under this title; and (K) the policy does not impose satisfactory progress limitations on need-based institutional aid that are more stringent than the standard applied under this subsection without demonstrating to the Secretary the effectiveness of such limitations on improving student persistence in, and completion of, postsecondary study. (3) Regaining eligibility (A) Students who remain in school Whenever a student fails to meet the eligibility requirements of subsection (a)(2) as a result of the application of this subsection and, subsequent to that failure, the student has academic standing for any grading period consistent with the requirements for staying on track to graduate within 150 percent of the published length of the educational program, as determined by the institution, the student shall again be eligible under subsection (a)(2) for a grant, loan, or work assistance under this title, as long as the student maintains satisfactory academic progress under paragraph (2) beginning on and after the date that the student regains eligibility. (B) Students who leave school (i) In general If a student has not been enrolled in any institution of higher education for the immediately preceding 2 years, any previous failure to meet the eligibility requirements of subsection (a)(2) shall not be used in any determination of eligibility of such student under such subsection. Such student shall, on the date of enrollment subsequent to such 2-year period, have the student's eligibility for a grant, loan, or work assistance under this title reset and be deemed as meeting the requirements described in paragraph (2). Beginning on and after such date, the student's satisfactory academic progress shall be determined in accordance with paragraph (2)(E)(ii). (ii) Maximum number of resets A student shall be eligible for a reset of eligibility pursuant to this subparagraph not more than 2 times. (C) Duties of the Secretary The Secretary shall— (i) send, to each student who failed to meet the eligibility requirements of subsection (a)(2) and who has not regained eligibility for a grant, loan, or work assistance under subparagraph (A), a notice, two years after such failure, that includes— (I) a notification that, if the student has not been enrolled in any institution of higher education for the preceding two years and has not received two resets of eligibility under subparagraph (B), the student may use grant, loan, or work assistance under this title for enrollment at any eligible institution, including an institution other than the institution in which the student was previously enrolled; (II) a notification that, if the student has remained enrolled, or resumed enrollment, at an institution of higher education, the student may be eligible for a grant, loan, or work assistance under this title subject to the requirements of subparagraph (A); (III) information on how many semesters of eligibility for a grant, loan, or work assistance under this title to which the student still has access; and (IV) a notification that the student should ask any prospective eligible institution how many of the student’s previously completed credits the student would be able to transfer; and (ii) submit an annual report to Congress on the outcomes of students who have received a reset of eligibility pursuant to this paragraph, including— (I) the number of students who reenroll in an eligible institution after such reset, disaggregated by race or ethnicity, sex, age, socioeconomic status, and disability status; (II) the 250 eligible institutions with the highest numbers of enrolled students receiving grant, loan, or work assistance under this title after such a reset; (III) the 250 eligible institutions with the highest share of enrolled students receiving grant, loan, or work assistance under this title after such a reset; and (IV) the average completion rate and time to completion for students who reenroll in an eligible institution after such reset, disaggregated by institution. (4) Evaluation of academic progress (A) In general An institution that determines that a student is not making satisfactory academic progress under its policy may disburse funds provided through student financial assistance programs under this title (including work-study programs under subtitle C) to the student in accordance with subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D). (B) Payment period following not making satisfactory academic progress For the payment period following the payment period in which a student did not make satisfactory academic progress, the institution shall place the student on financial aid warning and disburse funds under this title to the student. (C) Payment period following financial aid warning For the payment period following a payment period during which a student was on financial aid warning, the institution may place the student on financial aid probation, and disburse funds under this title to the student if— (i) the institution evaluates the student’s progress and determines that student did not make satisfactory academic progress during the payment period the student was on financial aid warning; (ii) the student appeals the determination; and (iii) (I) the institution determines that the student should be able to meet the institution’s satisfactory academic progress standards by the end of the subsequent payment period; or (II) the institution develops an academic plan for the student that, if followed, will ensure that the student is able to meet the institution’s satisfactory academic progress standards by a specific point in time. (D) Payment period following financial aid probation A student on financial aid probation for a payment period may not receive funds under this title for the subsequent payment period unless the student makes satisfactory academic progress or the institution determines that the student met the requirements specified by the institution in the academic plan for the student developed under subparagraph (C)(iii)(II). (E) Frequency of academic progress evaluation and communication (i) In general Subject to clause (ii), for the purpose of determining whether presently enrolled students are maintaining satisfactory progress, each institution of higher education that enrolls students who receive any grant, loan, or work assistance under this title shall review the progress of such students at the end of each payment period. (ii) Shorter payment periods For each institution described in clause (i) that has payment periods that are shorter than on the semester system basis (such as on a quarterly or trimester system basis or by clock hour program or non-term program), such institution shall review the progress of presently enrolled students at the end of each semester or equivalent period of 12 to 18 weeks. (iii) Financial aid warning At the end of each payment period (or, in the case of an institution described in clause (ii), at the end of each semester or equivalent period), each institution shall send a financial aid warning to presently enrolled students that do not meet the grade point average requirement described in paragraph (2), or its equivalent or academic standing consistent with the requirements for graduation, as determined by the institution, that informs the students of their risk of being determined to not be maintaining satisfactory progress and therefore losing eligibility for grant, loan, or work assistance under this title and provides information on— (I) the specific criteria of the institution’s academic requirements that the student is not meeting and the specific improvements needed to meet the requirements; and (II) how to meet with the student’s academic advisor to get the academic support the student needs. (5) Detailing requirements to students Each institution of higher education that enrolls students who receive any grant, loan, or work assistance under this title shall detail the institution’s requirements regarding students maintaining satisfactory academic progress— (A) to such students before the students begin classes at the institution through a detailed communication that may be separate from a financial aid offer; and (B) on the financial aid webpage of the website of the institution. (6) Consumer testing The Secretary— (A) shall conduct consumer testing to develop exemplary practices and templates— (i) to support institutions of higher education in carrying out paragraph (5); and (ii) which shall be available as resources for institutions of higher education; and (B) shall not require the use of such practices and templates by institutions of higher education. . 10. Conforming amendments The Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq. (1) in section 401A(d)(1)(B)(i) ( 20 U.S.C. 1070a–1(d)(1)(B)(i) section 401(b)(2)(B) section 401(b)(2) (2) in section 402D(d)(1) ( 20 U.S.C. 1070a–14(d)(1) (A) by striking section 401(b)(2)(A) section 401(b)(1) (B) by striking described in section 401(b)(4) as defined in section 401(a) (3) in section 435(a)(5)(A)(i)(I) ( 20 U.S.C. 1085(a)(5)(A)(i)(I) under section 401(b)(2)(A) , as appropriate, under section 401(b)(2)(A) (as in effect on the day before the effective date under section 701(b) of the FAFSA Simplification Act (title VII of division FF of Public Law 116–260 (4) in section 485E(b)(1)(A) ( 20 U.S.C. 1092f(b)(1)(A) section 401(b)(2)(A) section 401(b)(1) (5) in section 894(f)(2)(C)(ii)(I) ( 20 U.S.C. 1161y(f)(2)(C)(ii)(I) section 401(b)(2)(A) section 401(b)(1) 11. Effective date Except as otherwise provided, the amendments made by this Act shall take effect and apply as if included in section 703 of the FAFSA Simplification Act and in accordance with section 701(b) of such Act.

Summary: Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2021 This bill makes various changes to the Federal Pell Grant program, including by expanding student eligibility for Pell Grants. The bill also revises student eligibility for federal student-aid programs. Specifically, the bill provides funding to increase the maximum Pell Grant award for each eligible student. Further, the bill requires the award amount to be adjusted for inflation. Next, the bill allows students who receive means-tested federal benefits (e.g., Medicaid) to automatically qualify for the maximum Pell Grant award plus an additional award amount. In addition, the bill moves the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant program into the Pell Grant program. Next, the bill raises from 12 to 18 the total number of semesters during which a student may receive a Pell Grant. The bill makes Dreamer students (i.e., students who have been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status) who entered the United States before the age of 18 and who meet certain educational criteria eligible for federal financial aid. The bill also revises satisfactory academic progress requirements for federal student-aid programs, including by allowing a student who has not been enrolled in an institution of higher education for two years to regain eligibility for federal student aid.