College for All Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Jayapal
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create a Federal–State grant partnership to fully eliminate tuition and required fees for eligible students at participating public colleges and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). It would also raise Pell Grant maximums, expand Pell uses to living costs, and start awards in 2026–2027.
Show full summary
- Students and families: Eligible students at public two‑year and four‑year colleges and TCUs could have tuition and required fees covered beginning 2026–2027, with initial income limits applied to some 4‑year students in the first year.
- States and institutions: Federal support phases down from 100% in 2026–2027 to 80% by 2030–2031, while States must meet maintenance‑of‑effort and accountability rules tied to faculty, aid, and per‑student spending.
- HBCUs, MSIs, and student supports: Private nonprofit Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority‑Serving Institutions get a separate grant stream, and a new Inclusive Student Success fund starts with $10.0 billion for FY2026; TRIO funding rises to $3.0 billion.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Bigger, more flexible Pell Grants
For 2026–2027, the Pell Grant maximum would be up to $14,790 at qualifying public institutions or Tribal Colleges, and up to $7,395 at other schools. Starting in 2027–2028, the maximum would rise each year by a CPI‑based percentage and be rounded to the nearest $5. The lifetime limit would change to 7 years and 6 months. Pell money could be used for living and other non‑tuition costs, not just tuition or on‑campus housing. The bill would provide whatever sums are needed each year to pay these maximums.
Grants to cut tuition at minority-serving colleges
Beginning in 2026–2027, eligible private nonprofit minority‑serving colleges (including HBCUs) could receive grants to eliminate tuition and required fees for eligible students. Per‑student funding would start at $5,110 for 2‑year schools and $11,610 for 4‑year schools, rising each year by CPI or up to 3%, with adjustments if actual enrollment differs from projections. Schools would need to keep instruction spending and need‑based aid at or above 2025–2026 levels and limit tuition increases. Colleges that converted from for‑profit status would be ineligible for 25 years. Funds must supplement, not replace, other aid.
Help with out-of-state tuition gaps
Starting in 2026–2027, students from U.S. outlying areas could get help paying the difference between out‑of‑state and in‑state tuition. The payment could be up to $15,950 per year and up to $79,750 total, and would be prorated for part‑time study. Governors would run the program with schools, and funds must add to, not replace, other help.
More students, including Dreamers, qualify
This bill would open aid to more noncitizen students who meet rules and file the FAFSA. Dreamers, certain DACA recipients (June 15, 2012 memo), people with Temporary Protected Status, and those with deferred enforced departure could qualify for Pell and tuition‑elimination programs. Dreamers would need proof of entry before age 16 and school history, plus an education or service milestone. The Secretary could allow hardship waivers for some documents in compelling cases.
Tuition-free public college partnership
Starting in award year 2026–2027, this bill would create a federal–state partnership to eliminate tuition and required fees at public colleges and Tribal Colleges. Federal funding would start at $5,110 per community college student and $11,610 per 4‑year student, rising each year by CPI or up to 3%. The federal share would be 100% in 2026–2027 and then phase down to 80% from 2030–2031; Tribal Colleges could get up to 100% of the amount needed. States with above‑average tuition in 2026–2027 could receive extra one‑time funds, but must meet match rules and follow strict spending limits. The bill would define how state fiscal support is counted and bar double‑counting of funds.
Grants to boost student success
The bill would create a new grant program to expand proven reforms that help students enroll, stay on track, and complete. It would authorize $10 billion for FY2026, with set‑asides: 10% for Tribal Colleges, 2% for evaluation, 60% for competitive state grants, 18% to supplement Tier 1 reforms, and 10% to supplement Tier 1 or 2 reforms. States would get funds based on how many Pell students they serve, and funding would continue only if progress is shown.
More funding for TRIO, GEAR UP, and minority-serving colleges
This bill would raise authorizations for key student support programs. It would authorize $3.0 billion for TRIO in FY2026 and allow more in FY2027–2035, and authorize $736 million for GEAR UP in FY2026 with future years as needed. It would also set $510 million each year for HBCU/TCU/MSI programs and lift certain line items to $200 million and $110 million.
Budget scoring repeal and tribal safeguard
The bill would repeal a prior congressional budget scoring rule. It would also state that nothing in this bill changes the federal government’s duties under the Snyder Act. These are technical changes and would not directly change household benefits or taxes.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Jayapal
WA • D
Cosponsors
Balint
VT • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Casar
TX • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Garcia (IL)
IL • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Clarke (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Dean (PA)
PA • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Fields
LA • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Foushee
NC • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Frost
FL • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Garamendi
CA • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Khanna
CA • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Lee (PA)
PA • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Magaziner
RI • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
McGarvey
KY • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Nadler
NY • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Ocasio-Cortez
NY • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Pallone
NJ • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Pingree
ME • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Pocan
WI • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Ramirez
IL • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Torres (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Takano
CA • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Thanedar
MI • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Tlaib
MI • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Vargas
CA • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Williams (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Simon
CA • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Stansbury
NM • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Garcia (CA)
CA • D
Sponsored 5/29/2025
Swalwell
CA • D
Sponsored 6/3/2025
Thompson (MS)
MS • D
Sponsored 6/3/2025
Johnson (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 6/3/2025
McGovern
MA • D
Sponsored 6/3/2025
Schakowsky
IL • D
Sponsored 6/3/2025
Adams
NC • D
Sponsored 6/4/2025
Omar
MN • D
Sponsored 6/4/2025
Barragan
CA • D
Sponsored 6/9/2025
Tokuda
HI • D
Sponsored 6/10/2025
Ansari
AZ • D
Sponsored 6/11/2025
Evans (PA)
PA • D
Sponsored 6/13/2025
Chu
CA • D
Sponsored 6/17/2025
Soto
FL • D
Sponsored 7/14/2025
Lieu
CA • D
Sponsored 7/15/2025
Menendez
NJ • D
Sponsored 8/8/2025
DeSaulnier
CA • D
Sponsored 8/15/2025
Gomez
CA • D
Sponsored 8/26/2025
Watson Coleman
NJ • D
Sponsored 8/26/2025
Velazquez
NY • D
Sponsored 8/26/2025
Kelly (IL)
IL • D
Sponsored 8/29/2025
Goldman (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 10/17/2025
Davis (IL)
IL • D
Sponsored 10/17/2025
McIver
NJ • D
Sponsored 10/17/2025
Dexter
OR • D
Sponsored 10/31/2025
Bell
MO • D
Sponsored 11/7/2025
Wilson (FL)
FL • D
Sponsored 11/7/2025
Krishnamoorthi
IL • D
Sponsored 11/7/2025
Latimer
NY • D
Sponsored 11/18/2025
Morelle
NY • D
Sponsored 11/19/2025
Grijalva
AZ • D
Sponsored 11/19/2025
Garcia (TX)
TX • D
Sponsored 12/2/2025
Norcross
NJ • D
Sponsored 12/9/2025
Hayes
CT • D
Sponsored 1/8/2026
Salinas
OR • D
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Green, Al (TX)
TX • D
Sponsored 3/20/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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