S. 1832 — College for All Act of 2025

This section establishes a new subpart under Title VII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 for College for All Grants to partner with states and Tribal Colleges and Universities in eliminating tuition and required fees for eligible students at public community colleges, public 4-year institutions of higher education, and Tribal Colleges and Universities (2-year and 4-year). Eligible students—regardless of age or immigration status, without a baccalaureate or higher degree, enrolled (or planning to enroll) in an eligible undergraduate program, who qualify (or would qualify but for immigration status) for in-state resident tuition, are not in a dual or concurrent enrollment program or early college high school, and have filed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid—include all such students at community colleges or 2-year Tribal Colleges and Universities and working-class or middle-class students (as described in new section 787(a)(3)) at public 4-year institutions or 4-year Tribal Colleges and Universities. The section defines related terms, including community college (i.e., public institutions primarily awarding associate degrees or public postsecondary vocational institutions, potentially including certain entities within 4-year institutions in states lacking traditional community colleges), full-time equivalent students, net price (i.e., cost of attendance minus grants and institutional/State scholarships), and reverse transfer policy (i.e., processes for retroactively awarding associate degrees or certificates to transfer students).

This section establishes a grant program, beginning with award year 2026–2027, to enable private nonprofit 2-year and 4-year minority-serving institutions (i.e., part B institutions [historically Black colleges and universities], Hispanic-serving institutions, Alaska Native-serving institutions, Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, Predominantly Black institutions, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions, or Native American-serving nontribal institutions that have not received funds under subpart 1) to eliminate tuition and required fees for eligible students. Eligible students are those enrolled at such institutions without a baccalaureate degree or higher whose adjusted gross income (one year prior to the award year) does not exceed $150,000 for single dependent students, single independent students, or dependent students from single-parent households; or $300,000 for students with married parents or married independent students (with thresholds adjusted annually after the first year per Higher Education Act inflation procedures in section 478(b)); part-time students count toward full-time equivalents. Eligible institutions converted from for-profit status within 25 years (or from enactment, if longer) are ineligible; the Secretary annually reviews eligibility using the most recent data. For participating 2-year institutions, annual grants equal the number of eligible students multiplied by $5,110 for award year 2026–2027, increased in subsequent years by the estimated percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (or another specified amount).

This section establishes a grant program to subsidize out-of-state tuition and fees for eligible undergraduate students domiciled in outlying areas (Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, United States Virgin Islands, Guam, and Freely Associated States) attending eligible public four-year institutions of higher education located in the states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or outlying areas (except the student's home outlying area). Beginning with award year 2026–2027, the Secretary of Education awards grants to the Governors of these outlying areas, who subaward to eligible institutions to pay the tuition differential on behalf of eligible students (who must have resided in an outlying area for at least 12 consecutive months before their freshman year, not hold a baccalaureate degree, and enroll at least half-time in an eligible program), up to $15,950 per award year and $79,750 aggregate per student (prorated for less-than-full-time attendance). Governors must enter agreements with the Secretary; eligible institutions must agree to supplement (not supplant) other aid; and no additional eligibility criteria may be imposed.

This section revises the Federal Pell Grant program (i.e., the primary federal need-based grant aid for low-income undergraduate students) under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) as follows: (1) repeals a scoring requirement in section 406 of H. Con. Res. 95 (109th Congress); (2) establishes maximum grant amounts for award year 2026–2027 of $14,790 for students at institutions of higher education described in HEA §101 or Tribal Colleges or Universities and $7,395 at other institutions, with subsequent annual amounts adjusted by the Consumer Price Index (rounded to the nearest $5); appropriates mandatory funds for such maximums beginning FY2026; and protects appropriations for FY2017–FY2025; (3) extends the lifetime eligibility limit to 7 years and 6 months (from 12 semesters or equivalent); (4) permits Pell Grant payments for living and nontuition expenses (previously limited to tuition, fees, and institutionally provided food and housing when credited to the student's account); and (5) expands eligibility to include Dreamer students (i.e., individuals who entered the United States before age 16, attended U.S. secondary schools, earned a high school diploma or equivalent or made college progress, or were eligible for certain prior DACA memoranda) and, for Pell Grants specifically, recipients of deferred enforced departure, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or temporary protected status.

This section establishes the Inclusive Student Success Grants program under a new subpart 4 of part F, title VII of the Higher Education Act of 1965, to award grants to eligible states (i.e., recipients of grants under subpart 1) and Tribal Colleges or Universities (TCUs) for implementing or scaling evidence-based reforms or practices (evidence tiers 1 or 2, as defined by reference to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act's education innovation and research program) that improve student outcomes at eligible institutions, including underfunded public two-year or four-year institutions (i.e., those receiving below the national average of state appropriations per full-time equivalent student) and minority-serving institutions such as part B institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions, Alaska Native-serving institutions, Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, Predominantly Black Institutions, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions, and Native American-serving nontribal institutions. Directs the Secretary to distribute appropriated funds as follows: (1) 10% to TCUs via the formula in section 316(d)(3)(B) for tier 1 or 2 activities; (2) 2% for program evaluation; (3) 60% in competitive grants to eligible states; (4) 18% to supplement state competitive grants for tier 1 activities; and (5) 10% to supplement state competitive grants for tier 1 or 2 activities. Requires state grant applications to prioritize underfunded institutions and gaps for minority-serving institutions, ensure reform sustainability, and target underserved students (e.g., students of color, low-income students, first-generation college students); bases state grant amounts on Pell Grant recipients at eligible institutions; and permits uses for evidence-based reforms such as comprehensive academic, career, and student support services (e.g., mentoring, advising).

This section increases the authorization of appropriations for (1) the Federal TRIO Programs—which provide support services to help low-income students, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities prepare for, enter, and complete postsecondary education—to $3 billion for FY2026 and such sums as may be necessary for FY2027 through FY2035 (from $900 million for FY2009 and such sums for the five succeeding fiscal years); and (2) the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP)—which support early college preparation and awareness activities for low-income students—to $736 million for FY2026 and such sums as may be necessary for FY2027 through FY2029 (from $400 million).

This section doubles mandatory annual appropriations under the Higher Education Act for grants to minority-serving institutions—including part B historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), Alaska Native- and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs), Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions (AANAPISIs), and Native American-serving nontribal institutions—to $510 million (from $255 million) for FY2026 and each fiscal year thereafter. It also doubles the allocations of those funds as follows: (1) $200 million (from $100 million) for HSI science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and articulation programs; (2) $200 million (from $100 million) for HBCUs and PBIs; and (3) $110 million (from $55 million) for other eligible institutions. (As background, these funds support institutional capacity-building at underrepresented institutions; 85% of the HBCU/PBI allocation goes to part B HBCUs.)

This section provides that nothing in this Act or its amendments alters the federal government's responsibilities under the Snyder Act (25 U.S.C. 13). (As background, the Snyder Act authorizes the Bureau of Indian Affairs to direct, supervise, and expend appropriated funds for the benefit, care, and assistance of Indians nationwide, including for education; relief of distress and health conservation; industrial assistance and Indian property administration; Indian irrigation systems and water supplies; buildings and grounds maintenance; employment of personnel such as physicians and police; suppression of intoxicating liquors and drugs; official vehicles; and general administration of Indian affairs.)