Sponsors (3)
The bill expands and funds dual-enrollment access—reducing college costs and improving equity and program quality—while increasing federal spending and imposing reporting, sustainability, and limited transportation constraints that may strain institutions and some students.
Students in participating high schools (and their families) can take postsecondary courses without paying tuition, fees, or required materials, lowering college costs and out-of-pocket barriers.
Low-income, rural, and first-generation students are prioritized for grants, increasing targeted access to dual-enrollment and likely boosting college readiness and enrollment for underserved groups.
Eligible institutions receive funding that can pay for program development (professional development, course design, articulation), helping expand and sustain dual-enrollment offerings.
Taxpayers face increased federal spending to support expanded grant-funded dual-enrollment programs, which could raise fiscal costs or crowd out other budget priorities.
Colleges and schools may incur additional administrative burden and costs to meet evaluation and reporting requirements, diverting staff time and resources from instruction or student support.
Students in remote or very rural areas may still face access barriers because the program caps transportation funding at 20% of grant funds, which may be insufficient if travel costs are higher.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes competitive grants to expand dual/concurrent enrollment and early college high school partnerships, prioritizing low‑income, rural, and first‑generation students and allowing tuition, supports, and limited transportation (20% cap).
Official title: Amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make college affordable and accessible by expanding access to dual or concurrent enrollment programs and early college high school programs.
Introduced April 8, 2025 by Gary C. Peters · Last progress April 8, 2025
Creates a new competitive grant program to expand dual/concurrent enrollment and early college high school partnerships between colleges and local school districts, prioritizing low-income, rural, and first‑generation college students. Grants may last up to five years (with possible renewal), fund tuition, fees, books, materials, student supports, and limited transportation (capped at 20%), and require independent evaluation and periodic reporting to Congress.