The Obama administration on Monday will unveil 27 more free community college programs as part of President Obama’s goal of making a two-year degree tuition free for anyone who attends community college and meets certain academic requirements.
“Every American, whether they’re young or just young at heart, should be able to earn the skills and education necessary to compete and win in the 21st century economy,” Obama stated.
As part of the announcement, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, community college professor Jill Biden, will announce $100 million in American “promise” grants to help students connect with “in-demand” jobs during a speech at the Community College of Philadelphia.
That school heeded Obama’s call for free two-year degrees for eligible students, and laid out such a program a year ago.
According to the White House, there are more 1,100 community colleges in America serving more than 7 million students pursuing undergraduate degrees. The White House estimates that approximately half of the jobs expected to open in the next decade will require some education or training beyond high school.
Additionally, the Bidens will call on Congress to pass the America’s College Promise Act of 2015, which would carry out Obama’s call for making a two-year degree from a community or technological college free for students who maintain at least a 2.5 grade-point average.
