A Democratic bill with 6 Democratic cosponsors · See all 6 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to create federal grant programs aimed at making community college tuition-free and supporting student success. It establishes partnerships with states and tribal colleges to cover the costs required to eliminate tuition and fees for eligible students. The legislation also provides student success grants to improve institutional performance and transfer pathways. Furthermore, it offers dedicated grant funding to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Minority-Serving Institutions. The bill outlines specific accountability measures, student eligibility rules, and continuous funding authorizations starting in fiscal year 2027.
Yes· 3 of 20
- Scored +9
Would students be better off under this?
The core purpose of the bill is to expand access, eliminate tuition costs, improve transfer pathways, and provide comprehensive support services for undergraduate students.
- Scored +9
Does this make college cost less?
The bill establishes federal-state partnerships to set tuition and fees to $0 at community colleges and provides substantial tuition relief grants at minority-serving four-year institutions.
- Scored +8
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Low-income students receive substantial financial relief through free community college tuition, direct support services, and targeted grants at minority-serving institutions.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
Participating states face strict matching requirements and mandatory reforms that could constrain state budgetary and educational policy choices.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Tuition-Free Community College (Section 101, adding Section 499A and 499D): This provision provides federal grants to states and tribal colleges to ensure that community college tuition and mandatory fees are set to $0 for eligible students. This directly benefits individuals by removing the financial barrier of tuition at participating community colleges and tribal institutions.
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Expanded Support Services (Section 101, adding Section 499C): Participating colleges must describe and implement reforms that provide comprehensive academic, career, and student support services, including mentoring, advising, and career pathway navigation. This directly benefits low-income, first-generation, and historically underrepresented students by helping them navigate their education.
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Direct Assistance and Basic Needs Support (Section 101, adding Section 499C): Institutions can provide direct support services or assistance in applying for childcare, transportation, emergency financial assistance, healthcare access, affordable housing, and nutrition assistance programs. This positively impacts students struggling with basic living needs while trying to attend school.
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Transfer Pathways and Credit Portability (Section 101, adding Section 499D and Title III Section 301 adding Section 499S): States and participating four-year institutions must establish formal agreements ensuring that associate degrees and community college credits are fully transferable to four-year public institutions. This benefits students by saving them time and money when pursuing a bachelor's degree.
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Grants for Minority-Serving Institutions and HBCUs (Title III, adding Section 499P, 499Q, and 499R): The bill establishes grants for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and various minority-serving institutions to reduce or waive tuition and fees for low-income students. This positively impacts diverse student populations by making four-year degree programs more affordable.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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State Matching Requirements and Fiscal Burdens (Section 101, adding Section 499B): States participating in the tuition-free community college program are required to provide a non-federal State share starting at 5 percent and increasing up to 20 percent by the 2031-2032 award year. This could place a financial burden on state budgets, which might lead to difficult fiscal choices or tax pressures for residents.
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Institutional Matching Funds (Section 201, adding Section 499J): Entities participating in the Student Success Fund are required to provide non-federal matching funds starting at 25 percent and scaling up to 100 percent by the ninth year of participation. This matching requirement could strain the financial resources of participating states and tribal colleges.
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Limits on Assistance Duration (Section 101, adding Section 499H and Title III Section 301 adding Section 499T): Students are restricted from receiving tuition-free community college benefits for more than 6 semesters, and benefits at four-year minority-serving institutions are limited to the first 60 credits or 6 semesters. Individuals who take longer to complete their education due to part-time work or personal circumstances may be burdened by losing financial support before graduation.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would students be better off under this? — The core purpose of the bill is to expand access, eliminate tuition costs, improve transfer pathways, and provide comprehensive support services for undergraduate students. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Low-income students receive substantial financial relief through free community college tuition, direct support services, and targeted grants at minority-serving institutions. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Young adults pursuing community college or undergraduate degrees will benefit directly from tuition-free policies and enhanced student support services. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Dedicated funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly Black Institutions specifically supports Black students. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Support and grant authorizations for Hispanic-Serving Institutions directly benefit Hispanic students pursuing higher education. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Middle-income families with students attending community colleges or participating four-year institutions will benefit from reduced or eliminated tuition and fees. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Dedicated grants for Tribal Colleges and Universities and Native American-serving institutions directly support Native American students. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Support for Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions benefits these student populations. Would immigrants be better off under this? — The legislation explicitly ensures that students are not disqualified from receiving tuition-free community college benefits based on their citizenship or immigration status. Would women be better off under this? — Women, who frequently balance education with caregiving responsibilities, benefit from provisions offering childcare assistance and flexible support services.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — The bill establishes federal-state partnerships to set tuition and fees to $0 at community colleges and provides substantial tuition relief grants at minority-serving four-year institutions. Does this put more money into public schools? — The legislation authorizes substantial continuous funding to create tuition-free community college programs and student success grants. Does this reduce what student borrowers owe or repay? — By making tuition free at community colleges and reducing costs at eligible four-year institutions, students will need to borrow fewer student loans.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Making community college tuition-free and reducing financial barriers at minority-serving institutions helps low-income students attain credentials that lift them out of poverty. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Dedicated grant funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges, and Minority-Serving Institutions directly supports racial equity in higher education. Does this make child care cost less? — Institutions can provide direct support services or assistance in applying for childcare for students balancing school with family needs. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — The bill allows institutions to assist students with affordable housing and emergency financial assistance to address basic living needs.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — By investing heavily in higher education, community college affordability, and student success, the bill aims to build a more skilled workforce that can boost long-term economic growth.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Participating colleges are encouraged to provide assistance in accessing healthcare services and behavioral or mental health supports to students.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill establishes new federal grant programs administered by the Secretary of Education with specific state compliance requirements and maintenance of effort rules. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — Participating states face strict matching requirements and mandatory reforms that could constrain state budgetary and educational policy choices.
- 9/30/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Richard DurbinDemocrat · Illinois
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
Patty MurrayDemocrat · Washington
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland