FAFSA 2025-2026: Is the $10,000 Pell Grant increase bill actually passed?

my cousin works in financial aid and she said its still just a proposal. nothing passed yet. theyre still figuring out the 2024-25 stuff lol

Financial aid advisor here - to clarify, what you're likely referring to is the "Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act" which was introduced but has NOT been passed. The current maximum Pell Grant for 2024-2025 is $7,395, and there's typically only a small increase each year ($500 or less). While the $10,000 proposal has bipartisan support, legislation moves slowly. For 2025-2026 planning, I would recommend calculating your sister's eligibility based on current levels with perhaps a modest increase. The Student Aid Index (SAI) calculation remains the same regardless of the maximum award amount. Complete the FAFSA as early as possible after October 1st for best results.

This would be AMAZING if it passes! My SAI came back super low but even with the current max Pell I'm still having to take out wayyy too many loans. Keeping my fingers crossed but not holding my breath lol

Be careful about planning around proposed legislation. I made that mistake back in 2022 when there was talk about student loan forgiveness, and we all know how THAT turned out. 🙄 The financial aid system gives you hope and then crushes it. For your sister's sake, plan based on the current max and treat any increase as a bonus if it happens.

I've been trying to call the Federal Student Aid Information Center to get clear information about this exact topic! After getting disconnected three times and waiting on hold for over an hour, I finally got through using Claimyr (claimyr.com). They have this system that holds your place in line and calls you when an agent is available. Saved me hours of frustration! There's a demo video here: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ The FSA agent confirmed what others have said - the $10,000 Pell Grant proposal hasn't passed yet. But they also mentioned that even if it doesn't pass in its current form, there will likely be SOME increase for 2025-2026, just not as dramatic as $10,000.

Does anyone know if they're changing anything else with the Pell Grant rules? Like the income thresholds or how they calculate eligibility? My family's situation is complicated (parents divorced, one remarried) and I'm trying to figure out if I should wait to file until this new bill passes or just go ahead with the current rules when applications open in October.

i heard from my friends brother who works in DC that the bill is totally dead lol. they just propose these things to look good but theres no way theyll actually increase it that much

Just to clarify some misinformation in this thread - while the $10,000 proposal may not pass in its current form, there's strong bipartisan support for continuing to increase Pell Grant maximums. The increases have been steady over the past several years. For 2025-2026 planning: 1. Complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1, 2024 2. Make sure your Student Aid Index (SAI) calculation is accurate by carefully reporting all financial information 3. Check with your specific college's financial aid office about supplemental grants they might offer 4. Look into state grants, which often have earlier deadlines than federal aid Remember that colleges can't give you a final financial aid package until the federal Pell Grant amounts are officially set for 2025-2026, which will likely happen in early 2025.