Democratic lawmakers are reintroducing legislation to make two-year technical and community college free for eligible students, MY Northwest reported.
Sen. Tammy Baldwin
The legislation – introduced and backed by U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and several other Democrats – would amend the 1965 Higher Education Act “to establish grants for tuition-free community colleges, student success grants,” and grants for HBCUs, Tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), and minority-serving institutions (MSIs), according to the bill.
“I have seen up close how a higher education opens new doors and can have such a positive impact on students’ lives,” Murray said in a statement. “Community and technical colleges create pathways for students to pursue their dreams and they equip them with the skills they need to get good-paying jobs, providing training for those who want to enter the workforce.”
For eligible students, The America’s College Promise Act of 2023 would waive two years-worth of community and technical college tuition and fees, and have the federal government be responsible for the majority of funding (80-100%) for the endeavor.
“The problem is for far too many students, these opportunities are simply out of reach — and that’s got to change,” Murray said. “Tuition-free community and technical college would be a huge first step towards making college more affordable and expanding opportunity for everyone — when we invest in education and skills training, we are investing in a stronger economy for everyone.”
