JENNIFER C. KERR, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration wants to expand the federal Pell grant program to help more students graduate from college — by providing them with more money to attend classes year-round and reward them for taking more credits.

Two new proposals announced by the Education Department would expand the $29 billion program by $2 billion in the new fiscal year. They’ll be part of President Barack Obama’s budget proposal next month.

One proposal would help low-income students earn Pell money for a third semester in an academic year. Many exhaust their eligibility after two semesters. The other proposal would give a $300 bonus to students taking at least 15 credits per semester in an academic year.

Pell grants are for low-income people. They don’t have to be repaid.