The Degrees Not Debt Act of 2025 increases the maximum Federal Pell Grant award to help low- and middle-income students afford college. Starting with the 2026-2027 school year, the bill raises the maximum grant to $14,800 per student, and from 2028-2029 onward, the grant amount will automatically increase each year based on inflation rates measured by the Consumer Price Index, ensuring the benefit keeps pace with rising education costs. The bill affects millions of college students who rely on Pell Grants to pay for tuition and expenses, primarily those from lower-income households. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2026, though it does not specify new federal funding amounts—the actual cost will depend on future appropriations decisions by Congress. This change aims to reduce student debt burdens by providing larger upfront grants rather than requiring students to borrow more in loans.
Take Action
Your position
Add a comment
to comment on this bill.
Annotate the text
Highlight any passage on the Summary or Full Text tab to attach a note. Annotations appear on the Annotations tab.