The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 5427, aims to expand the existing Debt-Free Community College Program to include not only degree and certificate programs but also workforce development and continuing education programs. The bill modifies the definition of a "qualifying student" to encompass individuals enrolling in these additional programs starting from the fall semester of 2026. It also introduces new language regarding the eligibility criteria and the types of awards available, ensuring that students in noncredit programs can receive support for their first six semesters of enrollment.

Additionally, the bill mandates the Board of Regents for Higher Education to establish and implement the expanded debt-free community college program, which will provide financial awards to qualifying students based on their unmet institutional costs. The legislation specifies that awards should not replace any existing financial aid and requires the Board to report on various metrics related to student enrollment and award distribution. Notably, the bill deletes references to the previous limitations on the types of programs covered and updates the reporting requirements to include data on workforce development and continuing education program completions. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.