UOG and GCC students would be eligible for proposed program, which would cover tuition and fees for two years of higher education.

WASHINGTON – Workforce Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee and Education, recently joined U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to announce America’s College Promise Act of 2015 (ACP). The proposed legislation would make two years of community college free and provide an affordable pathway to a four-year college degree for low-income students in minority serving institutions.

The bill provides a federal match of $3 for every $1 invested by the state to waive community college tuition and fees for eligible students before other financial aid is applied. The legislation introduced today also includes covering a significant portion of tuition and fees for two years for low-income students who choose to attend qualifying baccalaureate (4-year) minority serving institutions such as the University of Guam.  

“I am honored to have been present at the announcement of the America’s College Promise Act,” said Underwood. “This legislation would provide unprecedented access to higher education to our students in Guam and the region.”

Dr. Robert Underwood, University of Guam President and Chair of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Association of Colleges and Universities (APIACU) has been involved with the legislation for the past few months providing guidance and insight. UOG is a member of the Asian American And Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI) Program, and students who attend the University would be eligible for the program.

"I want to thank my former colleague and current President Robert Underwood of UOG for his support of the ACP and for his advice on extending this opportunity to AANAPISI institutions to ensure full inclusion for postsecondary institutions in the island Pacific,” said Ranking Member Scott at the announcement.

America’s College Promise was originally proposed by President Barack Obama in his 2015 State of the Union speech, with the goal of making community college as universal as high school.

Dr. Robert A. Underwood, University of Guam President (left) stands with the Hon. Congressman Bobby Scott (D-VA), Ranking Member at the U.S. Capitol.