Drake University is changing eligibility requirements for its full-tuition program Bulldog Promise to expand access to the program. Beginning with students starting at Drake in fall 2026, the program will have adjusted eligibility criteria, including a lowered GPA threshold from 3.8 to 3.5. Launched in 2024 alongside the Bright College Pathway, which offers full tuition for associate degree-seeking students at John Dee Bright College, the program enrolled 91 students in its first year. University leaders said the initiative is designed to reduce financial barriers and open the door to more Iowa students seeking higher education opportunities.