S. 5665 — America’s College Promise Act of 2026

This section establishes the America’s College Promise Federal-State Partnership, under which the Secretary awards grants to states and Tribal Colleges and Universities to cover the federal share of costs for tuition-free community college. The federal share equals 100 percent of average resident community college tuition and fees per student for award year 2027–2028, declining to 80 percent by 2031–2032 (with Tribal Colleges and Universities receiving 100 percent or the amount needed to eliminate tuition and fees); states contribute the remaining share, rising from 0 percent to 20 percent, and may count certain state financial aid and local funds toward their obligation.

This section establishes the Student Success Fund grant program to award grants to states, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and other eligible entities for evidence-based reforms that improve postsecondary enrollment, retention, transfer, and completion rates. It requires the Secretary to award grants using a formula based on each entity’s share of eligible students and Pell Grant recipients and its per-student funding relative to average net price at public four-year institutions. Grantees must provide non-Federal matching funds that rise from 25 percent in years one through four to 100 percent in year nine and thereafter, with the match waivable for Tribal Colleges and Universities, and must give priority to proposals targeting students of color, low-income students, students with disabilities, first-generation students, and student parents.

This section establishes three grant programs under the Higher Education Act to award funds to participating Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Alaska Native-serving, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving, Hispanic-serving, Native American-serving nontribal, Native Hawaiian-serving, and Predominantly Black institutions. Eligible institutions must be public or nonprofit four-year colleges with at least 35 percent low-income students, commit to evidence-based reforms such as comprehensive student supports and accelerated degree pathways, set performance goals, and maintain statewide articulation agreements with community colleges to facilitate transfers.