Making Education Affordable and Accessible Act of 2025
The Making Education Affordable and Accessible Act of 2025 would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to broaden access to postsecondary credit in high school through dual or concurrent enrollment and early college high school programs. The bill creates a new grant program (new Sec. 745) that would allow eligible higher education institutions, in partnership with local educational agencies, to offer these programs to public high school students so they can earn postsecondary credits before graduating. Grants would last up to five years and could be renewed based on demonstrated positive outcomes. The act prioritizes reaching students from low‑income families, those in rural schools, and first‑generation college students. Funds could be used for a range of activities—professional development for educators, course design and articulation, outreach to students and families, and support to help students meet eligibility and transfer credits. Grants may cover tuition, fees, books, and required materials for the postsecondary courses, and transportation costs (though transportation could not exceed 20% of grant funds). The bill also requires independent evaluations of program effectiveness and timing‑based reporting to Congress every three years, with subsequent updates every two years.
Key Points
- 1Establishes a new grant program under Part B of the Higher Education Act to support dual or concurrent enrollment and early college high school programs, operated through partnerships between eligible higher education institutions and local educational agencies. Grants are for up to 5 years and may be renewed based on outcomes.
- 2Prioritizes funding for programs that serve low‑income students, rural students, and first‑generation college students.
- 3Funds may be used for activities such as educator professional development, course sequencing and alignment with postsecondary standards, course articulation for high school and higher education credit, outreach to students and families, and helping students meet transfer eligibility and credentials.
- 4Allowable uses include reducing or covering tuition/fees, books, and instructional materials for postsecondary courses, with a transportation cost limit of 20% of grant funds.
- 5Requires independent evaluation of each grant recipient’s program (including enrollment and credit transfer data) and periodic reporting to the Secretary of Education, with a summarized report to Congress every three years after enactment and every two years thereafter.