Bill Overview
Title: Community and Technical College Investment Act of 2022
Description: This bill establishes four grant programs, including a tuition-free community college grant program, to expand access to higher education. Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Education to establish a grant program to facilitate tuition-free community college for all eligible students, a grant program to provide institutional capacity and wraparound service support with respect to the implementation of tuition-free community college, a grant program to provide emergency aid subgrants to eligible students enrolled at public institutions of higher education, and a grant program to provide technical assistance to states applying for any of these grants.
Sponsors: Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9]
Target Audience
Population: People seeking higher education through community or technical colleges
Estimated Size: 7000000
- Global estimates of higher education enrollment indicate there are over 100 million students in higher education worldwide.
- Community and technical colleges serve as an entry point into higher education for many individuals, particularly those from underserved communities.
- Providing tuition-free programs could dramatically increase access for populations that are currently unable to afford college degrees.
- The focus on capacity building and emergency aid targets students currently enrolled or likely to be enrolled if financial barriers are reduced.
Reasoning
- The policy targets individuals interested in community and technical colleges, estimated at 7 million in the US, mainly benefiting those who can't afford tuition or need support services.
- This population is diverse, including potential students, current students, and those returning to education.
- Given the budget limits, not all tuition costs can be covered nationwide, but significant impacts are expected on enrollment and access to education.
- Financial barriers are one main reason individuals forgo higher education, so the policy should improve wellbeing for many, especially those in lower income brackets.
- Cost savings from tuition could allow individuals to focus on studies, reduce part-time work, and improve mental health by lowering financial stress.
- Community colleges often enroll older students who return to education, so diverse age ranges should be represented.
- Emergency aid provision can prevent dropout due to unexpected life expenses, thereby stabilizing student wellbeing.
Simulated Interviews
Student (Houston, TX)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The tuition-free initiative would help me focus more on my studies.
- I could cut back on my job hours and get more involved in the college community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Unemployed (Detroit, MI)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy would make it possible for me to go back to school and get into the IT field.
- Without financial aid, I couldn't afford tuition and children's expenses.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Barista (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 24 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a great initiative, but I'm concerned about potential increases in enrollment that might make courses harder to get into.
- Still, having tuition covered would be a big relief financially.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
High School Student (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 18 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy gives me hope and can make college possible for me.
- My family wouldn't be burdened with debt.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Warehouse Supervisor (Seattle, WA)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If tuition is covered, I might consider going back to school to get a bachelor's degree.
- This could open up new career opportunities for me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Stay-at-home mom (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is appealing as it might allow me to transition back into the workforce with new skills.
- Cost of tuition is a major barrier given our budget for family expenses.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Community college student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Tuition-free education would relieve a lot of stress and let me focus on my studies.
- I'd have more time to dedicate to internships and career-building activities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Retail worker (Orlando, FL)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to free community college would enable me to make a career shift.
- This policy could turn my life around.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Technical Support Specialist (New York, NY)
Age: 43 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Free tuition means I could potentially expand my skill set without the financial strain.
- Keeping up with technology could secure my position in the industry.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Waitress (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've struggled to balance work and college.
- With the policy, I could direct more energy to finishing my degree instead of working extra shifts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000000 (Low: $4500000000, High: $6000000000)
Year 2: $5000000000 (Low: $4500000000, High: $6000000000)
Year 3: $5100000000 (Low: $4600000000, High: $6100000000)
Year 5: $5200000000 (Low: $4700000000, High: $6200000000)
Year 10: $5400000000 (Low: $4900000000, High: $6400000000)
Year 100: $5500000000 (Low: $5000000000, High: $6500000000)
Key Considerations
- Sustainability of increased educational funding over multiple fiscal years.
- Potential need for federally supported monitoring to gauge program impact and adjust funding models accordingly.
- Uncertainties regarding state-level collaborations and adoption speed of grant-funded programs.