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119-hr-10455119th CongressWALLET

Debt-Free College Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would create federal‑State partnerships to expand access to truly _debt‑free college_ for eligible in‑State public students. It would fund State commitments, set rules for tuition and aid, add a grant program for HBCUs and MSIs, and extend Title IV eligibility to certain Dreamer students.

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  • Students and families: Eligible students would have unmet need covered first for Pell recipients and then for other neediest students, letting more low‑income students attend in‑State public colleges without debt.
  • States and public institutions: States would receive grants tied to their net State operating support and must submit a Secretary‑approved 5‑year plan. The bill would cap in‑State tuition at current levels with limited annual CPI increases and allows the Secretary to withhold up to 50% of a grant for compliance failures.
  • HBCUs, MSIs, and eligible private nonprofits: Eligible institutions would get 5‑year grants equal to recent instruction spending, must use at least 95% to cover student unmet need, and follow reporting and tuition/aid maintenance rules.

*The measure would authorize at least $84.0 billion for the State partnership and $3.0 billion for the HBCU/MSI program in FY2027, plus additional sums through 2028–2036, representing a substantial increase in federal spending.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Debt-free state college grants

If enacted, the bill would create a Federal‑State partnership that gives annual grants to states to make in‑state public college debt‑free for eligible students. It would authorize $84 billion for fiscal year 2027 and such sums as necessary for 2028–2036. Each State's award would equal its net State operating support for public higher education, subject to ratable cuts if Congress funds less. To get funds, States would need a Secretary‑approved 5‑year plan, must maintain or increase state higher‑education support, and must cap in‑state tuition/fees at enactment levels (annual CPI increases allowed). Grants would first cover unmet need for Pell recipients, then other students by need. States must reserve 4% for student success programs; up to 5% may fund capacity work and 1% may pay administration. The Secretary could withhold funds, place States on probation, or declare ineligibility for serious breaches. If a State withdraws or loses eligibility it must give 60 days' notice and place funds in escrow to cover enrolled Pell students' unmet need until they finish or time expires.

Grants for HBCUs and MSIs

If enacted, the bill would create a five‑year grant program for eligible private nonprofit HBCUs, Tribal colleges, and other minority‑serving institutions. It would authorize $3 billion for fiscal year 2027 and such sums as necessary for 2028–2036. Each year's award would be based on the institution's spending on undergraduate instruction and academic support, and would require at least 95% of funds be used to cover unmet need for undergraduates without a bachelor's degree. Institutions must cap tuition/fees at enactment levels (annual CPI increases allowed), keep pre‑enactment aid and low‑income enrollment levels, and may use up to 5% for capacity building. Misuse can trigger fines (up to 1% of the annual grant), probation, escrow of student funds, revocation, and multi‑year ineligibility.

Dreamer students get Title IV

If enacted, the bill would add a defined "Dreamer student" category for Title IV federal student aid. You would qualify if you entered the U.S. before age 16, provided a list of U.S. secondary schools attended, and meet at least one pathway: finish or be on track to finish a U.S. high school diploma; have a U.S. degree or at least two years of college with satisfactory progress; at any time were DACA‑eligible under the 2012 or 2014 memoranda; or served four or more years in the uniformed services with an honorable discharge if discharged. The Secretary must create a hardship waiver to allow exceptions to the age or school‑listing rules when compelling circumstances prevented meeting them.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2]

WI • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 10/15/2026

  • Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2026

  • Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3]

    KY • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2026

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2026

  • Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2026

  • Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2026

  • Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2026

  • Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2026

  • Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2026

  • Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1]

    ME • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2026

  • Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2026

  • Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2026

  • Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2026

  • Rep. Gonzalez, Vicente [D-TX-34]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2026

  • Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2026

  • Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2026

  • Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2026

  • Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6]

    LA • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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