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America’s College Promise Act of 2021
1/11/2023, 1:48 PM
Summary of Bill HR 2861
The America's College Promise Act proposes to provide two years of tuition-free community college for eligible students. This would apply to both recent high school graduates and adults looking to further their education or retrain for a new career. The bill aims to remove financial barriers that often prevent individuals from pursuing a college education.
In addition to tuition-free community college, the America's College Promise Act also includes provisions for expanding support services for students, such as academic advising and career counseling. This is intended to help students succeed academically and transition into the workforce after completing their education. The bill also emphasizes the importance of partnerships between community colleges and four-year institutions, as well as collaboration with employers to ensure that students are gaining the skills and knowledge needed for in-demand jobs. Overall, the America's College Promise Act of 2021 seeks to increase access to higher education, promote workforce development, and support economic growth in the United States. It is currently being reviewed by Congress and may undergo changes before potentially becoming law.
Congressional Summary of HR 2861
America's College Promise Act of 2021
This bill provides funding and establishes grant programs to expand access to higher education, including by providing free community college to students.
Specifically, the bill establishes a program to waive resident tuition and fees for community college students. The Department of Education (ED) must award grants to states and Indian tribes to pay the federal share (75% of the average resident community college tuition and fees per student) of the program.
As a condition of receiving such a grant, a state must (1) submit a plan to align the requirements for receiving a regular high school diploma with the requirements for entering credit-bearing coursework at community colleges; and (2) submit a plan to improve transfer pathways between institutions of higher education (IHEs), including by ensuring that associate degrees awarded by community colleges are fully transferable to four-year IHEs.
Next, the bill directs ED to award grants to states and Indian tribes for implementing evidence-based institutional reforms and innovative practices to improve student outcomes.
In addition, ED must award grants to participating historically Black colleges and universities, tribal colleges and universities, and minority-serving institutions to waive or significantly reduce the first 60 credits of tuition and fees for low-income students.
