This bill aims to make public college tuition-free and boost student support. It creates a federal–state partnership to fully remove tuition and required fees for eligible students at community colleges, and for many students at public 4‑year colleges. After tuition is covered, states can use extra funds to lower other costs (like books and transport) and improve advising, tutoring, mental health services, transfer pathways, and more. Funds cannot be used for stadiums, administrator salaries, or athletics programs limited to select teams . It also offers grants to private nonprofit HBCUs and other minority‑serving institutions to eliminate tuition for eligible students, with per‑student amounts starting in 2026–27 ($5,110 at 2‑year schools; $11,610 at 4‑year schools) and capped annual increases, plus rules to maintain instructional spending and not divert money to nonacademic facilities .

Pell Grants get a major update: the maximum award becomes $14,790 for students at public colleges and Tribal Colleges and Universities (and $7,395 at other schools) in 2026–27, then rises with inflation. Pell can be used for living costs, not just tuition, and eligibility extends to certain Dreamer students. Pell amounts also won’t count as taxable income . A separate “student success” grant program funds evidence-based supports like mentoring, advising, mental health care, transfer improvements, and smaller class sizes, with priority for students who face the biggest barriers. A share of these funds is reserved for Tribal Colleges and for evaluating what works . States gradually take on more cost share over time (0% in 2026–27 up to 20% by 2030–31), and extra federal help is available for high‑tuition states to join the program .

• Who is affected: Students at public community colleges and many at public 4‑year colleges; students at private nonprofit HBCUs and other minority‑serving institutions; Pell Grant recipients, including certain Dreamer students .
• What changes: Tuition and mandatory fees are eliminated for eligible students; more money for advising, tutoring, mental health, and improved transfers; Pell Grants increase and can cover living costs; strict limits on using funds for nonacademic facilities or athletics; HBCUs/MSIs get per‑student grants to cover tuition .
• When: Major pieces start in award year 2026–27; state cost‑share phases in through 2030–31; Pell changes take effect for 2026–27 and continue with inflation adjustments .