The Jumpstart on College Act would create competitive grants for states and partnerships between colleges and local school districts. The grants would support early college high schools and dual or concurrent enrollment programs, where high school students can take college courses. The bill aims to help more students, including low-income students and groups underrepresented in higher education, earn a postsecondary credential on time. Grants would last six years and support student services, outreach, teacher training, course planning, and other program costs. The bill authorizes $250 million for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2031. It was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Students in programs funded through partnership grants could take college courses without paying tuition or fees for those courses. Grants could also support transportation, textbooks, academic help, and work-based learning. States receiving grants would have to expand access and report student outcomes. The bill does not guarantee that a particular school or student would receive support.
The bill authorizes, but does not itself provide, $250 million per year for six fiscal years. Partnership grants could be up to $2 million and require matching contributions that increase over the six-year grant period. States would have to provide matching funds equal to half of each grant. The bill does not state how much funding would ultimately be appropriated or how many grants would be awarded.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.