Fast Track To and Through College Act
Sponsored By: Senator Maggie Hassan
Introduced
Summary
Shorten time-to-degree by building statewide fast-track pathways that let high school students earn college credits and make those credits transfer smoothly across public institutions and participating nonprofits. The bill would align high school and college requirements and fund State-led implementation.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Pell Grants for eligible high schoolers
This bill would let the Secretary award Federal Pell Grants to eligible high school students in participating States starting with award years that begin July 1, 2027. Students must meet criteria set before the end of grade 11 and participate in an early college fast track pathway. These Pell awards would not count toward the regular 12-semester Pell limit for up to two semesters (or the part-time equivalent). Awards would be limited to tuition, fees (excluding AP/IB exam fees), books, and supplies, up to those costs.
Five-year state grants for early college
This bill would create competitive five-year State grants to scale early college and early high school graduation pathways. Grants would pay tuition, fees, books, supplies, advising, scholarships, and other student supports. Grants would start on the later of the date of enactment or July 1, 2027. The Secretary would reserve 2 percent each year for an independent evaluation and 2 percent for technical assistance before awarding grants.
State funding rules for advanced coursework
This bill would require States that get these grants to keep funding advanced coursework at least at the average level of the prior two academic years for years starting July 1, 2027. The Secretary could adjust calculations for biennial budgets and could waive the rule for up to two years for disasters or big, unforeseen budget drops. If a State breaks the rule and has no waiver, the Secretary could withhold program funds until the State makes significant corrective efforts. The bill would also require federal grant money to supplement, not replace, State and local funds.
Independent evaluation of program outcomes
The bill would fund an independent study of the program to finish by September 30, 2031, with interim reports first. The study would measure enrollment and completion of advanced high school coursework, postsecondary enrollment and remediation, first-year credit attainment and persistence, credit transfer rates, degree attainment and time to degree, and the cost of a degree by degree type for participating students.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Maggie Hassan
NH • D
Cosponsors
Todd Young
IN • R
Sponsored 12/4/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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