H.R. 10672: America’s College Promise Act of 2026

The bill would create a federal grant program aimed at making community college tuition and required fees free for students, with additional support for Tribal Colleges and universities. It would provide federal money to states that agree to meet certain conditions, including contributing their own matching funds, keeping their own support for higher education at required levels, and coordinating community college programs with K–12 schools and four-year colleges so students can move more easily between them.

Grant programs

The bill establishes two main grant programs:

• A Student Success Fund for states and Tribal Colleges, designed to help cover the cost of reducing community college tuition and fees to $0 and to support related reforms.
• A pathway program for HBCUs, Tribal Colleges, and Minority-Serving Institutions, intended to improve transfer and student success routes for students attending those schools.

How the money could be used

Grant funds could be used not only to eliminate tuition and fees at community colleges, but also for related student aid, college transition support, and policy changes meant to improve completion and transfer rates. The bill also allows support for Tribal Colleges and for programs that help students move from community college into four-year institutions.

Requirements for states and schools

To receive funding, states would need to follow several rules. These include:

• providing matching funds along with federal dollars;
• maintaining their existing support for higher education at required levels;
• working to align community college programs with K–12 education;
• creating or strengthening transfer pathways to four-year colleges and universities;
• meeting reporting and accountability requirements.

Definitions and administration

The bill first defines key higher-education terms so the grant programs can be administered consistently. It also sets eligibility standards, reporting requirements, and rules for how the grants are to be awarded and used. The bill includes substantial annual appropriations to fund the programs.

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