Sponsors (26)
Introduced February 7, 2025 by Lucy Mcbath · Last progress February 7, 2025
The bill funds community college workforce programs and supports that expand credentialing, employer ties, and access for low‑income students, while creating new federal costs, administrative requirements, and funding/design constraints that may disadvantage smaller or rural colleges.
Students at community colleges gain access to federally funded workforce programs and expanded career pathways that lead to recognized, stackable postsecondary credentials and faster progression to higher‑wage jobs.
Community colleges can strengthen employer partnerships and expand work‑based learning, improving job placement and alignment with local labor market demand.
Grants may cover student supports (materials, devices, unmet financial needs) that reduce costs and barriers to completion, increasing access for low‑income and other barriered individuals.
Grant application, reporting, and performance requirements increase administrative burdens on community colleges and may disadvantage smaller or resource‑limited institutions.
Competitive grant design risks uneven geographic distribution of funding, leaving students in rural or lower‑capacity areas with fewer program opportunities.
Caps on allowable equipment spending (15%) and administrative costs (7%) could constrain colleges' ability to invest in necessary infrastructure or effectively manage program implementation.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes a competitive grant program providing $65M/year (FY2026–FY2031) for community colleges to create or expand workforce programs awarding portable, stackable credentials in in-demand sectors.
Creates a new competitive grant program to fund community colleges to build, improve, or expand workforce training that leads to nationally or regionally portable, stackable credentials in high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand fields. The program is authorized at $65 million per year for FY2026–FY2031 and lets the federal Secretary reserve up to 2% for administration, technical assistance, outreach, evaluation, and reporting. Grants are awarded for up to four years, and eligible colleges can receive additional four-year grants if they meet negotiated performance targets. Applicants must submit detailed applications describing program design, employer partnerships, labor-market alignment, credential quality, sustainability, targeted populations, evidence of effectiveness, and performance measures.