Bill · H.R. 8618· House(119-HR-8618)
College Affordability and Accessibility Act
- Introduced
- 4/30/2026
- Last activity
- 4/30/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Sponsored by
- Christian Menefee
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The College Affordability and Accessibility Act aims to increase the maximum amount of a Federal Pell Grant. For the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 award years, it sets the total maximum grant per student at $14,800, adjusted by previous appropriation levels. For subsequent years, the amount will be based on $14,800 plus an annual adjustment percentage tied to the Consumer Price Index. The bill also expands grant eligibility to include certain postbaccalaureate students. This includes students who received a grant for at least one but fewer than 16 semesters during their first undergraduate degree.
Yes· 3 of 6
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+7
Increasing the maximum Pell Grant amount provides more direct financial assistance to low-income students.
Would students be better off under this?+7
The bill increases maximum grant amounts and extends eligibility to certain postbaccalaureate students.
Does this make college cost less?+7
The bill increases the maximum Federal Pell Grant amount to $14,800 and ties future increases to the Consumer Price Index.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Financial Support: The bill increases the total maximum Federal Pell Grant award per student to $14,800 for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 award years (Section 2, subsection a, paragraph 1).
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Inflation Adjustments: For award years starting in 2028-2029, the maximum grant amount will increase by an annual adjustment percentage based on the estimated change in the Consumer Price Index (Section 2, subsection a, paragraph 1 and 2).
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Expanded Eligibility for Postbaccalaureate Students: The bill extends the period of eligibility to include the completion of a first postbaccalaureate course of study at an eligible institution (Section 3, subsection 1 and 2).
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Extended Duration Limits: The bill increases the duration limits for receiving grants by changing the number from 12 to 16 in paragraph (5)(A) (Section 3, subsection 2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Grant Amount Reductions: The specified maximum grant amounts of $14,800 are subject to being reduced by the amount specified as the maximum Federal Pell Grant in the last enacted appropriation Act (Section 2, subsection a, paragraph 1).
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Eligibility Restrictions for Postbaccalaureate Students: Postbaccalaureate eligibility is limited to students who received a grant during their first undergraduate degree for at least one but fewer than 16 semesters (Section 3, subsection 2, paragraph B, subparagraph i).
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 Low Income Households+7Good For Students+7Good For Young Adults+6Good For Middle Class Households+4
- Education And Technology
- Improves College Affordability+7Improves Student Loan Relief+3
- 4/30/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Introduced in House