Fast Track To and Through College Act
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2]
Introduced
Summary
Accelerating time to degree: This bill would create a federal‑state grant program to shorten college timelines, lower costs, and expand early college and dual enrollment so students earn more real college credit in high school.
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- Students and families: Eligible high school students in approved early college pathways would be able to receive Pell Grants to cover tuition, fees, books, and supplies. The Education Secretary could waive the usual 12‑semester Pell limit for up to two semesters for participants.
- States and school systems: The bill would fund competitive, five‑year, Governor‑led grants to build statewide alignment, require universal articulation agreements that guarantee credit transfer, and reserve 2 percent of funds for evaluation and 2 percent for technical assistance.
- Historically underrepresented students: Applications must prioritize expanding access and include targeted outreach, advising, fee support, and other services to boost participation and completion for underserved groups.
- Colleges and transfer policy: Grants must produce statewide credit recognition tools such as common course numbering, a general education core, and transfer management systems that make earned credits count across public institutions and participating private nonprofits.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Pell grants for high school students
This bill would let eligible high school students in approved early college pathways get Federal Pell Grants starting for award years on July 1, 2026. Each award would be based on the student's student aid index. Pell for these students could not exceed the cost of tuition, fees (excluding AP/IB exam fees), books, and supplies. Up to two semesters of Pell awarded under this rule would not count against the normal 12-semester Pell limit. The Secretary could keep awarding Pell in a State after that State's grant ends if the program stays in compliance.
Grants to pay advanced course costs
If enacted, grant recipients would use the first two grant years to align high school and college courses and expand access to advanced coursework. Grants could pay tuition, fees (including AP/IB exam fees where the bill allows), books, supplies, and online course delivery for eligible students. States could also use grant funds for scholarships for students who graduate early, advising, teacher training, and transportation during the grant period.
Federal grants to speed college
If enacted, this bill would create a new federal competitive grant program for states to help students finish college faster. Grants would be for five years and a State could receive only one award. The Secretary would reserve 2% of each year's funding for an independent evaluation and 2% for technical assistance. The Department would try to spread awards across urban, suburban, and rural areas and give priority to states with ready plans. The Department must hire an outside group to evaluate the program by September 30, 2028. Congress would still decide yearly funding starting in fiscal year 2026.
State application and accountability rules
This bill would require Governors to submit state plans with signed commitments from top state education leaders. States that get grants would have two years to align high school diploma rules, remedial placement standards, and statewide credit-transfer agreements. States must keep at least the average of their last two years' spending on advanced coursework for academic years beginning after July 1, 2026, unless the Secretary grants up to a two-year waiver for emergencies. Federal grant money must add to, not replace, state or local funds.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2]
MD • D
Cosponsors
Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large]
GU • R
Sponsored 1/15/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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