America’s College Promise Act of 2026
Creates grants for tuition-free community college, student-success programs, and transfer and completion efforts at specified colleges.
In the House Education and Workforce Committee since Oct. 1, 2026, 7 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROOCT 1, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- SENATESENATE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Community college students may face tuition costs as one barrier to starting or finishing college. This bill would create grants to cover eligible students’ community college tuition and fees, support student-success programs, and help specified colleges improve transfer and degree completion. States accepting grants would have to meet funding and education-pathway requirements.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Make community college tuition free
Grants would help states and eligible Tribal Colleges and Universities set tuition and fees to $0 for eligible students. The federal share for states would start at 100% in award year 2027-2028 and fall to 80% in 2031-2032 and later award years; eligible Tribal Colleges and Universities would receive a 100% federal share under the bill’s formula.
- Require state higher education changes
States receiving grants would have to maintain specified levels of higher education and need-based aid support, align public high school diploma requirements with entry to credit-bearing community college coursework, and improve transfer pathways. Students meeting the bill’s eligibility rules could receive tuition-free study for no more than six semesters or the equivalent.
- Fund student success efforts
A Student Success Fund would award grants to states and Tribal Colleges or Universities that receive tuition-free college grants. Recipients could use the grants for approved plans to improve student outcomes, with priority for plans serving underserved students; required nonfederal matching funds would rise over time.
- Support college transfer and completion
Grants to eligible Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and specified minority-serving institutions would support bachelor’s degree completion, transfer pathways from community colleges, and reforms to improve student outcomes.
The bill would make tuition and fees a smaller direct cost for eligible community college students, while tying federal support to state contributions and requirements intended to improve college readiness and transfer pathways. It also treats student supports and completion efforts as part of the proposed approach, rather than limiting the grant programs to tuition alone.
The proposal would create ongoing federal funding authority for the tuition-free and student-success programs. Its design also puts conditions on recipients, including maintenance of state support and, for Student Success Fund grants, a rising nonfederal match.
Written from an excerpt of the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedOCT 1, 2026HOUSEOCT 1, 2026By Rep. Grijalva with 3 original cosponsorsReferred to Education and Workforce
- SAME DAYNOWHouse committeeOCT 1, 2026EDUCATION & WORKFORCE NOWOCT 1, 2026In committee for 7 daysNo hearing yet
- 7 DAYS SO FARPassed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Senate committee—SENATE—
- Passed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- OCT 12026OCT 1, 2026REFERREDHOUSEReferred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- OCT 12026OCT 1, 2026INTRODUCEDHOUSEIntroduced in House
At day 7, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
A coalition from 3 states
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Rep. Grijalva’s record: sponsored 17 bills this Congress. 0 passed the House; 0 became law.
- Madeleine DeanD-PA-4ORIGINAL
- Teresa Leger FernandezD-NM-3ORIGINAL
- Bobby ScottD-VA-3ORIGINAL
What readers think
Discussion
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