PATH to Education Act

Summary

Creates a new federal grant program that funds transit improvements and operations to better connect students and Head Start participants (and their families) with eligible colleges, career schools, and Head Start centers. Grants are awarded to public transit providers partnering with eligible institutions to add stops/routes, adjust service times or frequency, and provide complementary paratransit or operating support, with set-aside funding authorized for fiscal years 2027–2031.

• Establishes a new federal grant program to connect students and Head Start participants with eligible postsecondary and career institutions via transit.
• Eligible applicants are public transit providers partnering with community colleges, minority-serving institutions, area career and technical schools, rural-serving institutions, or Head Start centers.
• Grants may fund new stops/routes, complementary paratransit, service frequency/timing adjustments, and certain operating costs.
• Set-aside funding is authorized within rural transit program funds for fiscal years 2027–2031 to support the new program.
• Applications must be submitted to the Secretary in prescribed form and include a description of how projects will improve access for students and Head Start families.
• Application priority is given to partnerships that include eligible institutions; additional priority criteria were referenced but the provided text is incomplete.
• The Secretary of Transportation administers awarding, application timing, and project selection under the statute.
• The measure focuses on improving equity and access for students, especially those who rely on transit or attend institutions with concentrated need.