A Promise for Whom?

Recognizing the critical role higher education plays in their economies and for their workforce development, more than 33 states plus Washington D.C. have implemented statewide “Promise Programs” or Tuition-Free Programs. These programs have the common goal of promoting educational attainment by committing to provide a financial award above and beyond existing federal and state grant aid, focusing on providing a tuition-free college education.

This policy insight serves as a continuation of a comprehensive report we published in 2020. In that report, we gathered data on state-level tuition-free programs and conducted an analysis of the equity implications associated with different award calculation methods and eligibility criteria. In this particular piece, our focus is narrowed down to the common eligibility requirements of these programs and their effects on diverse student populations. We encourage readers to also refer to our first insight on equity of tuition-free program designs focusing on award allocation methods (First Dollar, Middle Dollar, and Last Dollar).

To learn more about this issue click HERE to read the full insight.