Pete Buttigieg Releases Affordable College and Workforce Development Plan

SOUTH BEND, IN — Today, Pete Buttigieg released a bold new plan to grow paths to opportunity for all Americans through more affordable college as well as through workforce development and training opportunities. 

His plan will make public college free for those most in need, and affordable for all. Buttigieg will also make a historic $50 billion commitment to HBCUs. By expanding Pell grants to cover living costs, Buttigieg’s plan helps make college debt-free, and not just tuition-free, for students who need it most.

Buttigieg’s plan does not provide free college tuition for the children of millionaires and billionaires. He instead invests in growing opportunities for Americans who choose not to go to college. Buttigieg’s ‘New American Opportunity Agenda’ also makes unprecedented investments in workforce development so that every American has a path to success — whether they choose to go to college or not.  

“Our economy is changing and it’s past time to grow the pathways to opportunity in America,” said Buttigieg. “That starts with making college affordable for every student from a working or middle class family and making a historic investment in HBCUs. But opportunities for success shouldn’t be limited to those with a college degree. By providing support to those who need it most, and not the children of millionaires and billionaires, my plan will also invest in workforce development, skills training, and apprenticeship opportunities for those Americans who choose not to go to college.”

Pete’s comprehensive plan to secure affordable college and grow workforce development will:

• Enable 10 million more students to graduate with high-quality college degrees and credentials over the next decade.
• Make public college tuition-free for those 7 million students who are eligible for federal Pell Grants and for all families earning up to $100,000.
• Ensure every American has a high-quality apprenticeship programs within 30 miles of their home.

He will achieve these bold outcomes for our country with policies that: 

• Invest $50 billion in HBCUs and minority-serving institutions over the next decade.
• Add an additional $120 billion into the Pell Grant program, increase the size of the maximum Pell Grant by $1,000, and tie it to inflation to keep up with rising tuition and living costs
• Invest $50 billion to increase the number of apprenticeships, double funding for career and technical education, and scale local workforce partnerships 
• Make bold changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program that will provide earlier student loan forgiveness to public servants, and full debt cancellation after 10 years of service. 
• Protect student-athletes by supporting legislation ensuring student-athletes can seek compensation for the use of their images, like other students. 
• Form a presidential “Skills Cabinet” to develop and invest in the first-ever skills strategy to maintain the United States’ prosperity and competitiveness.
• Require unprecedented transparency on college costs and financial aid available to students, as well as accurate data on outcomes so students can pick the college that is best for them. 

Read the full agenda HERE.