# 114-hr-2962: America's College Promise Act of 2015

114-hr-2962, America's College Promise Act of 2015, is a 114th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3] (D-VA); status Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training. (as of 2025-11-18).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-2962
- As of: 2025-11-18
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 114-hr-2962
- Congress: 114
- Title: America's College Promise Act of 2015
- Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.
- Introduced: 2015-07-08
- Sponsor: Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3] (D-VA)
- Cosponsors: 111
- Policy area: Education
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2025-11-18

## Summary

America's College Promise Act of 2015 This bill authorizes the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to states and Indian tribes to waive tuition and fees at community colleges. To receive a grant, states and Indian tribes must agree to waive tuition and fees at all their community colleges and for all eligible students. An eligible student is a first-time student who: (1) qualifies for resident tuition; (2) enrolls at least half-time; (3) maintains satisfactory academic progress; and (4) enrolls in an academic program with credits that are fully transferable to any public institution of higher education in the state or enrolls in a training program that leads to credentials in an in-demand industry. The bill appropriates $1.4 billion in FY2016 and $79.7 billion over FY2016-FY2025 to make grants under this community college program. This bill also authorizes ED to award grants to four-year historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions (MSIs) to waive or reduce tuition and fees for up to 60 credits for low-income students. HBCUs and MSIs that participate must: (1) enroll a student body that contains at least 35% low-income students; (2) maintain or adopt reforms and practices to improve completion rates and student outcomes; (3) set performance goals; and (4) execute an articulation agreement with community colleges, if accepting transfer students. It appropriates $55 million for FY2016 and $10.1 billion over FY2016-FY2025 to make grants under this HBCU/MSI program.

## Cosponsors (111)

- Rep. Hahn, Janice [D-CA-44] (D-CA), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- MICHAEL HONDA (D-CA), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- RUBEN HINOJOSA (D-TX), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Clyburn, James E. [D-SC-6] (D-SC), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Butterfield, G. K. [D-NC-1] (D-NC), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28] (D-CA), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38] (D-CA), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12] (D-NC), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6] (D-MA), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39] (D-CA), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Grijalva, Raúl M. [D-AZ-7] (D-AZ), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Richmond, Cedric L. [D-LA-2] (D-LA), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- CORRINE BROWN (D-FL), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7] (D-IL), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3] (D-OR), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1] (D-OR), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Del. Bordallo, Madeleine Z. [D-GU-At Large] (D-GU), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2] (D-PA), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- LOIS CAPPS (D-CA), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1] (D-RI), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Clark, Katherine M. [D-MA-5] (D-MA), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- JOHN CONYERS (D-MI), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10] (D-CA), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Edwards, Donna F. [D-MD-4] (D-MD), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Eshoo, Anna G. [D-CA-16] (D-CA), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- CHAKA FATTAH (D-PA), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Fudge, Marcia L. [D-OH-11] (D-OH), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9] (D-TX), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- GENE GREEN (D-TX), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- LUIS GUTIERREZ (D-IL), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kind, Ron [D-WI-3] (D-WI), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1] (D-CT), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-12] (D-CA), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- SANDER LEVIN (D-MI), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- JOHN LEWIS (D-GA), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36] (D-CA), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM] (D-NM), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- JIM MCDERMOTT (D-WA), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2] (D-MA), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4] (D-WI), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Napolitano, Grace F. [D-CA-31] (D-CA), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1] (D-NJ), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] (D-DC), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Del. Plaskett, Stacey E. [D-VI-At Large] (D-VI), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2] (D-WI), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- CHARLES RANGEL (D-NY), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Roybal-Allard, Lucille [D-CA-40] (D-CA), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Rush, Bobby L. [D-IL-1] (D-IL), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Del. Sablan, Gregorio Kilili Camacho [D-MP-At Large] (D-MP), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- LORETTA SANCHEZ (D-CA), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA] (D-CA), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- JOSE SERRANO (D-NY), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14] (D-CA), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Takai, Mark [D-HI-1] (D-HI), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35] (D-CA), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD] (D-MD), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24] (D-FL), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Yarmuth, John A. [D-KY-3] (D-KY), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8] (D-VA), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Pascrell, Bill, Jr. [D-NJ-9] (D-NJ), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Delaney, John K. [D-MD-6] (D-MD), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9] (D-MA), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Aguilar, Pete [D-CA-33] (D-CA), 2015-07-29T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-7] (D-CA), 2015-07-29T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McNerney, Jerry [D-CA-9] (D-CA), 2015-07-29T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33] (D-TX), 2015-07-29T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Hastings, Alcee L. [D-FL-20] (D-FL), 2015-09-25T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37] (D-CA), 2015-09-25T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lowenthal, Alan S. [D-CA-47] (D-CA), 2015-09-25T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kaptur, Marcy [D-OH-9] (D-OH), 2015-09-25T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25] (D-FL), 2015-10-06T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52] (D-CA), 2015-10-28T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Grayson, Alan [D-FL-9] (D-FL), 2015-10-28T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kirkpatrick, Ann [D-AZ-1] (D-AZ), 2015-10-28T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11] (D-IL), 2015-12-18T00:00:00.000Z
- SUSAN DAVIS (D-CA), 2015-12-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7] (D-AL), 2015-12-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14] (D-FL), 2015-12-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Loebsack, David [D-IA-2] (D-IA), 2015-12-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Neal, Richard E. [D-MA-1] (D-MA), 2015-12-18T00:00:00.000Z
- ELIOT ENGEL (D-NY), 2015-12-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3] (D-OH), 2016-02-09T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12] (D-NJ), 2016-02-11T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL] (D-IL), 2016-02-25T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Jeffries, Hakeem S. [D-NY-8] (D-NY), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kennedy, Joseph P., III [D-MA-4] (D-MA), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kilmer, Derek [D-WA-6] (D-WA), 2015-07-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9] (D-TN), 2016-03-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2] (D-CA), 2016-04-18T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2] (D-IL), 2016-04-26T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Ruppersberger, C. A. Dutch [D-MD-2] (D-MD), 2016-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5] (D-IL), 2016-05-13T00:00:00.000Z
- RICHARD NOLAN (D-MN), 2016-06-14T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4] (D-GA), 2016-07-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Cárdenas, Tony [D-CA-29] (D-CA), 2016-07-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9] (D-IL), 2016-07-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2] (D-MS), 2016-07-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Langevin, James R. [D-RI-2] (D-RI), 2016-07-06T00:00:00.000Z
- ROBERT BRADY (D-PA), 2016-07-06T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8] (D-CA), 2016-07-06T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. O'Rourke, Beto [D-TX-16] (D-TX), 2016-07-06T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5] (D-NY), 2016-07-06T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9] (D-NY), 2016-07-06T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Cartwright, Matt [D-PA-8] (D-PA), 2016-07-06T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Speier, Jackie [D-CA-14] (D-CA), 2016-07-06T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1] (D-NV), 2016-07-07T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Kildee, Daniel T. [D-MI-8] (D-MI), 2016-07-07T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4] (D-MN), 2016-07-14T00:00:00.000Z
- XAVIER BECERRA (D-CA), 2016-09-12T00:00:00.000Z
- ELIJAH CUMMINGS (D-MD), 2016-09-19T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26] (D-CA), 2016-11-16T00:00:00.000Z

## Related bills

- 114-hr-5044: Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2016 to respond to Zika virus.
- 114-hr-1619: Paycheck Fairness Act
- 114-hr-1786: James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act
- 114-hr-1434: Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act
- 114-hr-2867: Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015
- 114-hr-2150: Raise the Wage Act

## Sources
- [114-hr-2962 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/2962)

## Related
- [114-hr-5044: Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2016 to respond to Zika viru…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-5044)
- [114-hr-1619: Paycheck Fairness Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-1619)
- [114-hr-1786: James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-1786)
- [114-hr-1434: Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-1434)
- [114-hr-2867: Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-2867)
- [114-hr-2150: Raise the Wage Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-2150)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/114-hr-2962 (as of 2025-11-18).