Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act

Bill: 115-hr-2451
Sponsor: Rep. Davis, Susan A. [D-CA-53]
Introduced: 2017-05-16 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Afghanistan
Asia
Border security and unlawful immigration
Conflicts and wars
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Employment and training programs
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Higher education
Immigration status and procedures
Iraq
Middle East
Military personnel and dependents
Student aid and college costs
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-16
text: 

Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act

 
This bill amends the title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise the Federal Pell Grant Program. Specifically, it: 
 
 
converts the Pell Grant program into a mandatory spending program;
 
increases the maximum Pell Grant award for academic year 2019-2020 and adjusts it in subsequent award years to account for inflation; 
 
allows federal financial aid for higher education to be given to dreamer students (students who entered the country when they were under the age of 16 and who meet certain educational criteria) and students convicted for the possession or sale of illegal drug; 
 
 requires the Department of Education (ED) to carry out a program that awards Federal Pell Grants to students in job training programs;
 
requires ED to award Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants under the Pell Grant program to assist veterans' dependents with the costs of attending institutions of higher education;
 
increases, in academic year 2018-2019, the income protection allowance levels for students who are dependent, independent without non-spouse dependents (e.g., children), and independent with non-spouse dependents to reduce such students' income available (and increase need for financial assistance) to cover postsecondary educational expenses; 
 
increases the income threshold for an automatic zero expected family contribution from $23,000 to $34,000; and 
 
increases from 12 to 15 the total number of semesters a student may receive a Federal Pell Grant.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-16
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-05-16
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-05-16
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2017-05-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-05-16
text: Introduced in House