A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Degrees Not Debt Act of 2025," aims to increase the total maximum Federal Pell Grant. For the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 award years, it sets the maximum award per student at $14,800, minus specific amounts from previous appropriations. Starting in the 2028-2029 award year, the maximum amount is based on that $14,800 figure adjusted by an annual percentage. This adjustment is tied to the estimated percentage change in the Consumer Price Index. The changes are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.
Yes· 3 of 19
- Scored +8
Would students be better off under this?
The bill directly increases the maximum amount of Federal Pell Grant funding available to students.
- Scored +7
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The expansion of Pell Grant maximums provides significant financial relief for low-income households with students in college.
- Scored +7
Does this make college cost less?
The bill directly increases the maximum amount available through Federal Pell Grants to help offset the cost of higher education.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Maximum Grant Amount: The bill sets a specific maximum Federal Pell Grant award of $14,800 for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 award years (Section 2(a)(1)(A)(i)).
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Inflation Adjustments for Future Years: For award years starting in 2028-2029, the maximum grant amount can increase based on an annual adjustment percentage tied to the Consumer Price Index (Section 2(a)(1)(A)(ii) and Section 2(a)(2)(C)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Reductions Based on Prior Appropriations: The maximum grant amount specified for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 award years, as well as subsequent years, is reduced by the amount specified as the maximum Federal Pell Grant in the last enacted appropriation Act (Section 2(a)(1)(A)(i) and Section 2(a)(1)(A)(ii)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would students be better off under this? — The bill directly increases the maximum amount of Federal Pell Grant funding available to students. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The expansion of Pell Grant maximums provides significant financial relief for low-income households with students in college. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Young adults pursuing higher education will benefit from increased maximum Federal Pell Grant awards. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Increasing Pell Grants can help close the wealth and education gap for demographic groups that utilize these grants at higher rates. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Increased grant amounts provide more support for Hispanic students pursuing higher education. Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill increases financial support for eligible students in higher education. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The increase in maximum Pell Grant amounts provides more resources for Native American students in higher education. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The increase in Pell Grant maximums provides more financial support for students with disabilities pursuing higher education. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Veterans utilizing Pell Grants for further education will see an increase in the maximum available award. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — The bill increases financial support for students in higher education. Would LGBTQ people be better off under this? — The bill increases financial support for students in higher education. Would men be better off under this? — The bill increases financial support for students in higher education. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — While primarily targeted at lower incomes, the increase in grant availability can assist middle-class families managing educational costs. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Increased educational funding can support students residing in rural areas. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Increased educational funding can support students residing in urban areas. Would white Americans be better off under this? — The bill increases financial support for students in higher education. Would women be better off under this? — The bill increases financial support for students in higher education.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — The bill directly increases the maximum amount available through Federal Pell Grants to help offset the cost of higher education.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Increasing the maximum Federal Pell Grant amount provides more financial support to low-income students to help them progress toward economic stability.
- 10/3/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Introduced in House