§1161o College Partnership Grants Authorized

Summary

The Secretary must use money set aside for this program to give grants to eligible partnerships. Grants pay for creating and using articulation agreements that help students move credits from one college to another. An eligible partnership must include at least two colleges or a college system. It can also include a group of colleges or a State higher education agency. The Secretary will give priority to partnerships in States that used the strategies in section 1093a(b)(1), or to partnerships that link community or junior colleges that award associate degrees with colleges that award bachelor’s or higher degrees those community colleges do not offer. Grants must be used to make transfer rules and programs that expand chances to earn bachelor’s degrees, improve academic programs, and remove barriers to transfer (including technology and information). Grants may also fund tutoring, mentoring, counseling, and other services that help students move between partner schools. Funds cannot be used to pay a school just for signing an agreement or for taking transfer students. Partnerships must apply as the Secretary requires. “Articulation agreement” means an agreement saying which courses count toward specific degree requirements. Money may be appropriated as needed for fiscal year 2009 and each of the five succeeding fiscal years.