The Jumpstart on College Act is a federal education program designed to help high school students earn college credits while still in high school, so they can graduate with both a high school diploma and college credentials already completed. The bill provides $250 million per year for six years to fund two main types of programs: early college high schools (where students attend a special high school program that includes college courses) and dual enrollment programs (where high school students take college courses at local colleges).

The money goes to two groups: colleges and universities that partner with high schools get grants up to $2 million each to set up or expand these programs, and states get grants to develop statewide strategies for expanding access to these programs. The focus is on helping students who typically don't go to college—low-income students, first-generation college students, and students from underrepresented groups. These programs must provide free tuition for participating students, offer support services like tutoring and career counseling, and ensure that college credits earned count toward both a high school diploma and a college degree.

Participating colleges and high schools must work together to design courses, hire qualified teachers, and help students succeed. The bill requires that programs track their results—how many students graduate, how many earn college credits, and how many go on to complete college degrees. States and colleges receiving funding must contribute their own money to match federal grants, and they must show that the programs are actually helping students complete college credentials faster than they normally would.

Jumpstart on College Act

Markey, Edward J.

Jumpstart on College Act This bill directs the Department of Education (ED)&nbsp;to award grants to support early-college high schools and dual- or concurrent-enrollment programs. Specifically, ED must award grants to&nbsp;(1) institutions of higher education in partnership with one or more local educational agencies to assist them in establishing or supporting early-college high schools or dual- or concurrent-enrollment programs, and (2) states to assist them in supporting or establishing these schools or programs.