Bill Proposes New Grants Starting 2025 to Fund College Credits for High Schoolers, Prioritizing Underserved Students

This legislation, the "Making Education Affordable and Accessible Act of 2025," amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a new grant program aimed at expanding college opportunities for high school students. Specifically, Section 2 introduces Section 745, authorizing the Secretary of Education to award competitive grants starting fiscal year 2025. These grants support partnerships between colleges or universities ('eligible institutions') and local school districts to create or expand dual enrollment and early college high school programs.

Getting a Head Start on College

The core idea is simple: let high school students earn actual college credits before they even graduate high school. Dual enrollment means taking college courses (often at the high school or a nearby campus) while still enrolled in high school. Early college high schools are designed to allow students to earn both a high school diploma and an associate's degree or significant college credits simultaneously. This bill aims to make these options more widely available, particularly for students who might face more barriers to higher education. The new Section 745 explicitly gives priority to grant applications focused on serving students from low-income families, those attending rural schools, or students who would be the first in their family to attend college ('first-generation college students'). Grants awarded under this section can last up to five years, with potential renewals based on successful outcomes.

How the Money Works

So, what can these grants actually pay for? The funds are designed to be flexible, supporting the nuts and bolts of running these programs. According to Section 745(f), money can go towards professional development for teachers and counselors involved, designing the curriculum and course sequences, ensuring credits transfer smoothly between the high school and college (articulation processes), and conducting outreach to students and families. Critically, Section 745(g) allows funds to directly cover student costs that often prevent participation, like tuition, mandatory fees, books, and required instructional materials. Recognizing practical hurdles, the bill also allows up to 20 percent of grant funds to be used for student transportation costs, helping bridge the gap for students who might live far from a participating campus or lack reliable transport.

Keeping Tabs on Progress

To ensure the program delivers results, the bill includes accountability measures. Section 745(h) mandates independent evaluations of the programs funded by these grants. Participating institutions will need to track key data, such as how many students enroll in these programs and how many postsecondary credits they successfully earn. These institutions must submit regular reports to the Secretary of Education. Starting three years after the act becomes effective, the Secretary is required to compile this information and report summaries to Congress every two years, providing transparency on the program's effectiveness in expanding access and helping students earn college credit early.