College for All Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Bernie Sanders
Introduced
Summary
Creates a federal‑state partnership to eliminate tuition and required fees for eligible students at community colleges, public 4‑year institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities. It would fund grants beginning in the 2026–2027 award year and set rules for how States and TCUs qualify and spend the money.
Show full summary
- Students and families: Would eliminate tuition and required fees for eligible students at community colleges, public 4‑year campuses, and Tribal colleges, with baseline federal per‑student grant levels of $5,110 for community/2‑year students and $11,610 for public 4‑year students in 2026–2027.
- States and Tribal Colleges and Universities: Would require States and TCUs to meet maintenance‑of‑effort tests and provide a State share that is staged over time, beginning at 100 percent in 2026–2027 and stepping down to 80 percent by 2030–2031, with waivers or reductions available for territories and hardship.
- Underserved students and institutions: Expands Pell eligibility to Dreamer students and reshapes Pell rules and duration limits, and creates Inclusive Student Success Grants to strengthen supports at underfunded and minority‑serving colleges with $10.0 billion for FY2026.
*Would increase federal spending, including a $10.0 billion FY2026 grant program and higher Pell outlays beginning in 2026–2027.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Bigger Pell Grants and tax break
If enacted, the bill would expand Pell Grants and eligibility. For award year 2026-2027 the maximum Pell would be $14,790 at certain institutions and $7,395 at others, with annual indexing after that. Pell would be usable for living and nontuition costs and the payment period would extend up to 7 years and 6 months. Colleges must provide institutional aid to cover the net price for students who receive the maximum Pell, and Pell Grant amounts would not be taxable income for federal tax purposes in tax years after enactment.
Free tuition at public and Tribal colleges
If enacted, the bill would fund grants to States and Tribal colleges so public institutions can eliminate tuition and required fees for eligible students starting award year 2026-2027. Grants set per-student dollar rules (e.g., $5,110 for two-year and $11,610 for four-year students in 2026-2027) and a Federal share schedule (100% in 2026-27, then 95%, 90%, 85%, and 80%). States must meet maintenance-of-effort funding tests and follow the State share rules, though they can request temporary relief tied to unemployment. Schools must follow program rules (eligibility, disability-staffing ratios, limits on enrollment cuts), use leftover funds for student supports, and can lose funding for violations.
Grants for HBCUs and minority colleges
If enacted, private nonprofit HBCUs and other Minority-Serving Institutions could get grants starting award year 2026-2027 to eliminate tuition and required fees for eligible students. For 2026-2027 grants equal $5,110 per eligible 2-year student and $11,610 per eligible 4-year student, with annual increases limited to the lesser of CPI growth or 3 percent. Institutions must maintain instruction and need-based aid at or above 2025-2026 levels and cannot use funds for many capital or administrative purposes.
Help for outlying area students
If enacted, students domiciled in U.S. outlying areas for at least 12 months could get payments to cover the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at public 4-year colleges. Payments begin award year 2026-2027, are prorated for part-time enrollment, and are capped at $15,950 per year and $79,750 in total per student. Governors and eligible institutions must enter into agreements to participate.
Grants to boost college completion
If enacted, the bill would create Inclusive Student Success Grants for States and Tribal colleges to fund evidence-based student supports (tutors, advisors, mental-health counselors, transfer improvements, dual enrollment, and similar reforms). The program includes a $10 billion authorization for FY2026 and allows additional funding in other years as needed. Grantees must prioritize underfunded institutions and students with disparate outcomes, set measurable goals, and be subject to evaluation. States must align high school and college transfer rules and certify improvements within three years.
More funding for GEAR UP and TRIO
If enacted, the bill would authorize higher funding levels for college access programs. It would authorize $736 million for GEAR UP and $3 billion for Federal TRIO programs for fiscal year 2026 and allow additional funds as needed in later years. Actual funding and local services would still depend on future appropriations.
Protect Tribal college funding rules
If enacted, the bill would say that it does not change how Bureau of Indian Education funds are available to Tribal Colleges and Universities and that it does not alter the federal government’s duties under the Snyder Act. This preserves existing funding authorities and responsibilities for Tribal education programs.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Bernie Sanders
VT • I
Cosponsors
Richard Blumenthal
CT • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Alex Padilla
CA • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Christopher Murphy
CT • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Peter Welch
VT • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Elizabeth Warren
MA • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Edward Markey
MA • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Chris Van Hollen
MD • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Jeff Merkley
OR • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Cory Booker
NJ • D
Sponsored 5/21/2025
Andy Kim
NJ • D
Sponsored 7/28/2025
Adam Schiff
CA • D
Sponsored 2/25/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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