Bill > HR8618

This bill, titled the "College Affordability and Accessibility Act," aims to increase the maximum amount of Federal Pell Grants, which are need-based grants to low-income undergraduate students to help pay for college, and to provide more flexibility in eligibility for these grants. Starting with the 2026-2027 award year, the maximum Pell Grant award will be set at $14,800, with subsequent years seeing this amount adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), a measure of inflation, though this adjusted amount will still be reduced by any maximum Pell Grant amount set in an appropriation Act. Additionally, the bill extends the period during which students can receive Pell Grants to include the time needed to complete a postbaccalaureate course of study, provided certain conditions are met, such as having previously received Pell Grants for at least one semester but fewer than 16 semesters as an undergraduate and remaining otherwise eligible. The duration limit for receiving Pell Grants is also increased from 12 to 16 semesters, or the equivalent.