Sponsors
Introduced September 19, 2025 by Adam Smith · Last progress September 19, 2025
The bill expands access to community college and funds supports that boost retention and job readiness for low-income students, but it increases federal spending and administrative obligations and creates sustainability and privacy risks for states and students.
Eligible low-income and other qualifying students can attend community college tuition-free for up to five years, with program design prioritizing credential attainment, dual enrollment, and transfer agreements that shorten time-to-degree and improve job readiness in in-demand sectors.
Students facing short-term crises (housing, food, childcare, transportation) gain access to direct emergency grants (capped at $1,500–$2,500 per year), helping them cover urgent needs and remain enrolled.
Community colleges receive subgrants to expand supportive services, hire navigators and counselors, centralize student services, and improve scheduling/technology, boosting student retention and completion.
All taxpayers ultimately bear the federal cost — the grant requires at least 100% Federal cost share during the five-year period, increasing federal spending.
States without existing tuition-free community college programs may struggle to sustain costs after the five-year grant period ends, risking program cuts or unmet expectations for students.
States and institutions face added administrative burdens — creating interagency plans, collecting extensive data, and meeting reporting requirements — which could raise compliance costs and divert staff time.
Based on analysis of 1 section of legislative text.
Creates a federal grant program to help states offer tuition-free community college, expand supports at institutions, and provide direct grants for students' non-tuition costs.
Establishes a federal grant program to help States create tuition-free community college opportunities for eligible students, provide institutional supports, and give direct grants to students for non-tuition costs. States must apply with a comprehensive plan that creates an interagency committee, aligns secondary and community-college credentials (including AP/IB credit and pathways to earn high-school equivalents), and coordinates workforce-development and postsecondary-credential strategies to expand access and economic mobility.