The U.S. Department of Education today announced the creation of an experiment that will seek to encourage the expansion of dual-enrollment programs for students from low-income backgrounds.
Dual enrollment is when students take college courses for credit while enrolled in high school. As a result, they can more quickly and affordably earn a degree once they head to college. Under the newly announced experiment, the department will for the first time allow high school students to receive Pell Grants for these programs. The feds plan to spend up to $20 million next year on the project, which could benefit up to 10,000 students.
“A postsecondary education is one of the most important investments students can make in their future. Yet the cost of this investment is higher than ever, creating a barrier to access for some students, particularly those from low-income families,” Education Secretary Arne Duncan said in a written statement. “We look forward to partnering with institutions to help students prepare to succeed in college.”