H.R. 5532: 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 aims to establish a program for facilitating tuition-free community college in certain states. Here are the key components of the proposed legislation:
Tuition-Free Community College Program
The Secretary of Education would create a program that provides grants to states which apply and qualify under the bill. The goals of this program would be:
- To enable eligible students to attend community college without paying tuition.
- To provide grants to educational institutions to improve their ability to offer support services.
- To fund direct grants for students to help cover costs other than tuition, such as transportation and childcare.
Application Process for States
States must submit applications that detail various plans, including:
- Formation of an interagency committee to assess workforce and education needs.
- Plans for aligning secondary education with community college requirements to enhance access for students.
- Strategies for developing career pathways that lead to jobs in in-demand sectors.
- Details on how they will prioritize assistance for low-income individuals and those without postsecondary credentials.
- Efforts to maximize public resources to support students’ needs like housing and transportation.
Grant Breakdown
States that receive grants will use the funds in several ways, including:
- Implementing their plans outlined in the application.
- Aiding eligible institutions with needed capacity and support services via subgrants.
- Providing emergency aid for eligible students facing financial hardships.
Emergency Aid Subgrants
Eligible students may apply for subgrants aimed at providing emergency financial support, such as food, housing, and childcare costs. There are different amounts available based on whether students have dependents:
- Up to $1,500 for students without dependents.
- Up to $2,500 for students with dependents.
Accountability and Reporting
States will be required to report annually on how they use the funds, including:
- How the funds improved graduation rates, transfer rates, and retention rates.
- Identifying how they are addressing barriers for students accessing public supports.
Data Collection and Sharing
There will be provisions for data collection to evaluate the program's success and to facilitate data sharing among different state agencies involved in workforce education and development.
Funding and Duration
The grants would initially be provided for a five-year period, covering both planning and implementation phases. The federal government would cover all costs incurred by states during this period.
Definitions and Eligibility
The bill defines who qualifies as an eligible student and what constitutes community colleges. It also outlines the types of institutions that are eligible for subgrants, including various community colleges and related educational institutions.
Relevant Companies
- PENN - Penn National Gaming could be impacted due to potential changes in workforce training programs aimed at the hospitality sector, which may increase the availability of trained employees.
- ADBE - Adobe, with its focus on providing educational tools, might see increased demand for its products related to skilled workforce training.
This is an AI-generated summary of the bill text. There may be mistakes.
Sponsors
1 sponsor
Actions
2 actions
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Sep. 19, 2025 | Introduced in House |
| Sep. 19, 2025 | Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. |
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