# 119-hr-5532: To direct the Secretary of Education to establish a program to facilitate the transition to tuition-free community college in certain States, and for other purposes.

119-hr-5532, To direct the Secretary of Education to establish a program to facilitate the transition to tuition-free community college in certain States, and for other purposes., is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9] (D-WA); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-04-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-5532
- As of: 2026-04-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-5532
- Congress: 119
- Title: To direct the Secretary of Education to establish a program to facilitate the transition to tuition-free community college in certain States, and for other purposes.
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-09-19
- Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9] (D-WA)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Policy area: Education
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-04-21

## Summary

**This bill would create a nationwide **tuition-free community college program** that gives federal grants to states to cover community college tuition and expand supports.** Grants would fund planning, institutional capacity and wraparound services, and direct emergency aid over a five-year grant period.

## Provisions PRIA read

- Tuition-free community college for adults: benefit, high. This bill would set up a 5‑year state grant to make community college tuition‑free. During the grant, the federal government would cover not less than 100% of costs. Eligible students would be at least 18, live in the State, and not already hold an associate degree or certificate. States would have…
- School counts for TANF, SNAP, housing: benefit, medium. States would be asked to use TANF, SNAP Employment & Training, child care funds, and HUD housing programs to reduce barriers for students, where allowed by law. Studying for a recognized credential could count toward work or participation rules. This could help people keep benefits while enrolled a…
- Targeted help for community college students: benefit, medium. State plans would have to prioritize people with job barriers, those under 200% of the poverty level, and those without a postsecondary credential. Colleges could fund “navigators” to help students find and apply for financial aid and other benefits. States would also need to expand and improve cre…
- State planning, coordination, and dashboards: benefit, medium. States would need an interagency committee that includes workforce, higher education, human services, housing, and student voices. Plans must include cost analyses to expand capacity, help students finish high school at community colleges, and apply AP/IB credits. States and colleges would report y…
- Funding and grant formula for states: benefit, medium. Congress would be able to fund the program in fiscal year 2026 and for the next four years. The Secretary would set each State’s grant amount using factors like higher‑than‑average unemployment or poverty, the number of school districts getting special lunch assistance, and whether a State already…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-8800: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
- 119-hr-3838: Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
- 119-hr-4669: FEMA Act of 2025
- 119-hr-7977: Energy Bills Relief Act
- 119-hr-7481: Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026
- 119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act

## Sources
- [119-hr-5532 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5532)

## Related
- [119-hr-8800: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-8800)
- [119-hr-3838: Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defe…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3838)
- [119-hr-4669: FEMA Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4669)
- [119-hr-7977: Energy Bills Relief Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7977)
- [119-hr-7481: Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7481)
- [119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7973)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-5532 (as of 2026-04-21).