Community College Educational Exchange Act

This bill aims to grow international education at U.S. community colleges and postsecondary job-training schools. It asks the State Department and USAID to build more exchange programs that teach skills in areas like farming and food systems, small business, early childhood education, engineering, IT, health and public safety, tourism, water and sanitation, and the environment. It also sets up a new scholarship program in the State Department so international students, scholars, and technical experts—especially those from underrepresented backgrounds—can study at these schools for up to one academic year, building skills and stronger ties with the United States.

The bill helps U.S. community colleges create and grow study-abroad options for their own students by offering small grants, training for faculty and staff, ready-to-use toolkits, and hybrid exchanges that mix virtual learning with short trips. Programs should connect to real workforce needs in STEM, technical, and vocational fields. It also requires the State Department and USAID to provide outreach and technical help with applications, and to give feedback after a grant is rejected so schools can improve next time.

• Who is affected: U.S. community colleges and postsecondary vocational schools; international students, scholars, and experts; underrepresented students and participants.
• What changes: A new State Department scholarship program; capacity-building grants and resources; training and toolkits; hybrid exchange models; outreach and feedback on grant applications.
• When: Within 1 year of the law taking effect, the State Department (with USAID) must consult Congress on how it is carrying out the programs, which countries it will focus on, and progress expanding partnerships with these schools.