Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act of 2025
The Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act of 2025 would authorize federal funding to expand enrollment and support at colleges that sponsor construction- and manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship programs. It creates two grant programs administered by the Department of Education, in coordination with the Department of Labor: a Community Outreach Grant Program to boost outreach to students and employers, and a Student Support Grant Program to enhance academic advising and student services. Eligible institutions could receive up to $500,000 per grant, and the bill would provide $5 million per year for each program (2016-2030; i.e., 2026–2030), for a total potential of $10 million per year across both programs. Grants are designed to prioritize rural, first-generation, minority, and other underrepresented student populations and to increase enrollment, retention, completion, and post-graduate credentials. The act also requires recipients to report on program activities and outcomes, including enrollment, retention, completion, credential attainment, and alignment with workforce indicators (as described in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act). It defines key terms (such as “construction and manufacturing-oriented apprenticeship college,” “recognized postsecondary credential,” and “underrepresented population”) and clarifies eligibility and reporting requirements. Overall, the bill aims to expand access to apprenticeship pathways in construction and manufacturing through targeted outreach and enhanced student support services.
Key Points
- 1Establishes two grant programs for construction/manufacturing-oriented apprenticeship colleges: the Community Outreach Grant Program and the Student Support Grant Program, each with a maximum grant of $500,000 per eligible entity.
- 2Authorizes: $5 million per fiscal year (2026–2030) for the Community Outreach program and $5 million per fiscal year (2026–2030) for the Student Support program (total potential funding of $10 million per year).
- 3Prioritizes outreach to rural areas and underrepresented populations (rural students, first-generation college students, minority students, and nontraditional students) and targets outreach to high schools, local employers, and workforce development boards.
- 4Provides extensive student advising and support services to improve retention and completion, including career advising, ESL support, mentoring, health and family services, childcare, and other supports; allows institutions to receive grants under both programs.
- 5Requires outcome reporting within 180 days after grant activities end, including enrollment, retention, completion, credential attainment, and alignment with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act indicators; includes performance-measure reporting.