Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act of 2025

This bill would help colleges that run construction and manufacturing apprenticeship programs bring in more students and help them stay on track. It creates two types of grants (up to $500,000 each per college): one for outreach to high schools, local employers, and workforce boards, especially in rural, exurban, and suburban areas, and one for student advising and supports like career guidance, English‑language help, mentoring, mental health and substance use counseling, first‑generation student support, and childcare. Colleges can receive both grants. Priority goes to efforts that boost enrollment and completion for rural, first‑generation, minority, and other underrepresented students. The Education Department would run the program, working with the Labor Department.

Funding is set at $5 million per year for outreach grants and another $5 million per year for student support grants, from fiscal years 2026 through 2030. Colleges must report back on results, including how many students were served and whether enrollment and completion improved, especially for underrepresented groups.

Key points

• Who is affected: Colleges that sponsor registered construction and manufacturing apprenticeships; high school students and families; local employers; current apprenticeship students, especially those in underrepresented groups.
• What changes: New grants for outreach and student supports (advising, ESL, mentoring, health and family services, first‑gen support, childcare); colleges may receive both grants.
• How much: Up to $500,000 per grant to each college; $5 million per year available for each grant program.
• When: Funding authorized for fiscal years 2026–2030; colleges must submit a results report within 180 days after their grant activities end.