Bill · H.R. 5675· House(119-HR-5675)
Degrees Not Debt Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 10/3/2025
- Last activity
- 10/3/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Sponsored by
- Salud Carbajal
- Cosponsors
- None
- 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
Would students be better off under this?+8
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?+7
The expansion of Pell Grant maximums provides significant financial relief for low-income households with students in college.
Does this make college cost less?+7
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
-
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. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Students+8Good For Low Income Households+7Good For Young Adults+6Good For African Americans+4Good For Hispanic Americans+4Good For Immigrants+4Good For Native Americans+4Good For People With Disabilities+4Good For Veterans+4Good For Asian Americans+3Good For L G B T Q Community+3Good For Men+3Good For Middle Class Households+3Good For Rural Residents+3Good For Urban Residents+3Good For White Americans+3Good For Women+3
- Education And Technology
- Improves College Affordability+7
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+5
- 10/3/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Introduced in House