To direct the Secretary of Education to establish a program to facilitate the transition to tuition-free community college in certain States, and for other purposes.

This bill would direct the U.S. Secretary of Education to give grants to States that apply with a plan to offer tuition-free community college to eligible residents age 18 and older who do not already hold a postsecondary credential below a bachelor's degree. Each grant would last 5 years, with up to 1 year for planning, and the federal government would cover at least 100 percent of the tuition-free costs during that period. States would give subgrants to eligible colleges for student support services such as navigators, staff, and help with housing, childcare, transportation, and food. States would also give emergency aid grants to students facing financial hardship, capped at $1,500 per year for students without dependents and $2,500 for students with dependents. States and colleges would report results each year, and the Secretary would post the data publicly.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Adam Smith Democrat sponsor
• 0 cosponsors