Sponsors (3)
The bill expands free dual‑enrollment access and targets supports to disadvantaged students while funding program development and accountability, but it increases federal costs, imposes administrative requirements on institutions, and may leave remote students or long‑term programs vulnerable without continued funding.
Students in participating high schools (and their families) receive free access to postsecondary courses—no tuition, fees, or required materials—reducing college costs and barriers to credential attainment.
Low-income, rural, and first‑generation students are prioritized for grant-funded dual-enrollment supports, increasing their chances of college readiness and enrollment.
Grant funds can pay for program development (professional development, course design, articulation), helping more schools build and sustain dual-enrollment offerings.
Expanding grant-funded dual-enrollment programs increases federal spending, raising fiscal costs and potentially crowding out other budget priorities paid by taxpayers.
Colleges and eligible institutions may face added administrative burden and costs to meet evaluation and reporting requirements, diverting resources from instruction and student support.
Capping transportation expenses at 20% of a grant may leave students in remote or rural areas unable to cover actual travel costs, limiting access for those populations.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Establishes a competitive federal grant program to expand dual/concurrent enrollment and early college high school partnerships with priority for low‑income, rural, and first‑generation students.
Introduced April 8, 2025 by Gary C. Peters · Last progress April 8, 2025
Creates a federal competitive grant program to expand dual/concurrent enrollment and early college high school partnerships between institutions of higher education and local school districts. Grants may run up to five years (with possible renewal tied to evaluation), give priority to programs serving low-income, rural, or first‑generation college students, allow funds for tuition, fees, books, materials, and transportation (with a 20% cap on transportation), and require independent evaluations and regular reporting to the Department of Education and Congress.