Apr 16, 2014 10:35 AM EDT By Jaleesa Baulkman, UniversityHerald Reporter

Tennessee lawmakers on Tuesday approved a plan by Gov. Bill Haslam offer free community college tuition to all graduates of high schools in the states, The Tennessean reported.

The state's House of Representatives joined the Senate in approving "Tennessee Promise." The plan, which will take effect in 2015, is an effort to encourage a larger share of the population to seek college credentials.

The approval, 87-8, comes a day after the Senate approved the legislation 30-1.

"The governor is grateful for the General Assembly's overwhelming support of the Tennessee Promise," Alexia Poe, Haslam spokeswoman, said in a statement issued after the House vote. "It is a bold promise that will make college a reality for more high school graduates."

The legislation is a cornerstone of Haslam's "Drive to 55" campaign to improve the state's graduation rates from the current 32 percent to 55 percent by 2025 "to help improve overall job qualifications and attract employers to the state," the Washington Times reported.

 Tennessee Promise also calls for reducing the amount of Hope scholarships for freshmen and sophomores at state universities to $3,500, "a cut of $500 a year. Juniors and seniors would receive $4, 500," The Tennessean reported.

The program is expected to cost about $34 million annually. Haslam plans to pay for the Tennessee Promise using $300 million in excess lottery reserve funds "and join it with a $47 million endowment," the Washington Times reported. The state has about $400 million in reserves.

After graduation from community colleges, students who choose to attend a four-year school will be able to do so as juniors.

The idea of free community college tuition has also been discussed in other states, including Florida, Mississippi and Oregon.  However, the Tennessee plan has attracted attention nationally and is now being adopted, Inside Higher Ed reported.

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