Pell to Grad Act

House Bill

H.R. 1635

119th Congress

Pell to Grad Act

In Committee

Introduced:Feb 26, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Frederica S. Wilson

Representative

Democratic

FL-24

Cosponsors

1

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Education

Summary

This bill expands Pell Grants by raising the maximum eligibility from 12 to 16 semesters and allowing eligible students to use remaining Pell Grant eligibility for their first graduate degree. Previously, Pell Grants were limited to undergraduate education only.

Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill expands Pell Grants by raising the maximum eligibility from 12 to 16 semesters and allowing eligible students to use remaining Pell Grant eligibility for their first graduate degree. Previously, Pell Grants were limited to undergraduate education only.

Last updated: 1/6/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Pell to Grad Act This bill raises from 12 to 16 the total number of semesters during which a student may receive a Pell Grant. It also allows income-eligible graduate students who received Pell Grants during their undergraduate education to utilize their remaining Pell Grant eligibility toward their first graduate degree, subject to this 16-semester duration limit. Currently, Pell Grants are available only to undergraduate students, subject to the 12-semester duration limit.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Increases Pell Grant eligibility from 12 to 16 semesters
Extends Pell Grants to graduate students for first degree
Students must have remaining eligibility from undergrad
Applies to income-eligible graduate students
Expands federal financial aid for higher education

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Students could receive Pell Grant support for longer periods including graduate school. Low-income students who did not use their full undergraduate Pell eligibility could apply remaining semesters toward a graduate degree.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Education

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

1635, 119th Congress (2025). "Pell to Grad Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-1635