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H.R.4386 / 114th Congress

Pathways to an Affordable Education Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 13, 2016

Pathways to an Affordable Education Act

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to modify provisions related to the Federal Pell Grant program. Among other things, it:

increases the maximum Pell Grant award for academic year 2017-2018 and adjusts it in subsequent award years to account for inflation,

converts the Pell Grant program into a mandatory spending program,

increases from 12 to 15 semesters a student's lifetime Pell Grant eligibility period, and

restores year-round grants.

Additionally, the bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to include, as a qualified scholarship excludible from gross income, any amount received as a Pell Grant.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Rep. Kilmer, Derek [D-WA-6] · D–WA

Committees

  • Education and Workforce Committee
  • Ways and Means Committee
13 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.

  2. Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  3. Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  4. Referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  5. Introduced in House

  6. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Mar 23, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.4386 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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