The Future Generations Protection Act would establish the Pell Plus program, which would provide eligible college students an additional federal grant that is matched by their school. This extra financial aid is designed to help students complete their degree in four years or less.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
The Future Generations Protection Act would establish the Pell Plus program, which would provide eligible college students an additional federal grant that is matched by their school. This extra financial aid is designed to help students complete their degree in four years or less.
Last updated: 12/29/2025
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Pell Plus Act of 2023</strong></p><p>This bill establishes the Pell Plus program to award an additional Federal Pell Grant (i.e., a Federal Pell Plus Grant), which shall be matched by the participating institution of enrollment, to eligible students.</p><p>A student is eligible to receive a Federal Pell Plus Grant if the student (1) is enrolled in their first undergraduate course of study at a Pell Plus institution, (2) is maintaining progress toward completion of their course of study in no more than four academic years, and (3) has completed at least four semesters (or the equivalent) of such course of study.</p><p>Further, the bill outlines the requirements for an institution to participate as a Pell Plus institution, including that the institution must notify students whether they are maintaining progress toward completion of their course of study.</p><p>The bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to award a Federal Pell Plus Grant to an eligible student in an amount equal to the student's Federal Pell Grant award. If the student's combined Federal Pell Grant and Federal Pell Plus Grant exceed the cost of attendance, then ED must reduce the amount of the student's Federal Pell Plus Grant.</p><p>The bill specifies that these Federal Pell Plus Grants must count toward current duration limits.</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
The bill creates the Pell Plus program, which gives eligible students an additional federal grant on top of their regular Pell Grant.
The additional Pell Plus grant must be matched by the student's college or university.
To qualify, students must be in their first undergraduate program, making satisfactory progress toward graduating in four years or less.
The combined Pell Grant and Pell Plus Grant cannot exceed the student's total cost of attendance.
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
If passed, this bill would provide more financial assistance to qualifying college students, helping them afford the full cost of their education and complete their degree on time. This could particularly benefit students from low-income backgrounds who rely on financial aid to attend college.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Education
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
5489, 119th Congress (2025). "Future Generations Protection Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-5489
