S-3359 — Fast Track To and Through College Act

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Your MoneyTransparency & Accountability

In states that win a federal grant, teens could earn a free year of college credit or graduate early with a scholarship.

Your Money

Pell Grants for high schoolers — starts July 1, 2027

High school students in one of these pathways could get a Pell Grant, which normally goes only to college students. Awards would start with the year beginning July 1, 2027, and the amount would depend on family finances.

High school Pell use — later college aid stays full

A Pell Grant has a 12-semester lifetime limit. Up to two semesters used during high school would not count toward that limit, so a student's later college aid stays whole.

College courses in high school — no tuition, fees, or books

States taking this grant must let students take the pathway courses for free. That covers tuition, fees, exam fees, books, and supplies, so families pay nothing out of pocket.

Earned credits transfer — every public college in the state

Grant states must sign a statewide transfer agreement within two years of getting funds. Credits would count toward a degree at any public college in the state, and a two-year degree would count as the first half of a bachelor's degree.

Scholarships for early graduates — finish high school in three years

Students who finish high school a year early and are ready for college work could get a scholarship at a public college in their state. States that offer more than the largest Pell Grant get priority for funding.

Transparency & Accountability

Families told if their student qualifies — before grade 12

Grant states must give every student a chance to be tested by the end of 11th grade. Students who qualify, and their parents, must be told before 12th grade starts.

Outside review of results — due September 30, 2031

An independent group, not the Education Department, must study whether the programs work. The review covers how often credits transfer, how many students finish a degree, and what that degree costs.

State funding must hold steady — or grants stop

States must keep spending at least as much on advanced courses as they did in the two prior years. If they cut that spending, the Education Department holds back their grant money until they fix it.

Money must be re-approved after 2031 — five-year limit

Funding is authorized for budget years 2027 through 2031 only. Congress would have to act again to keep the program running after that.

More about this bill

High school students in some states could earn a full year of college credit at no cost. Families would not pay tuition, fees, exam fees, books, or supplies for those courses. Students could also finish high school in three years and get a scholarship for a public college. Some pathways would lead to a job credential instead of a degree. Both options would start no earlier than July 1, 2027. Credits earned this way would transfer to any public college in the state. They would count toward a degree, not just as electives. A two-year degree earned this way would count as the first two years of a four-year degree. Starting July 1, 2027, high school students in these programs could also get Pell Grants. Up to two semesters of that aid would not count against the 12-semester lifetime Pell limit. Only states that win a competitive five-year federal grant would offer this. Each state may win one grant. Grant states must set uniform credit rules across all public colleges within two years. They must also give every student a chance to be tested before 11th grade ends. Families of students who qualify must be told before 12th grade starts. At least half of each grant must support students who are underrepresented in college. An outside evaluation of results is due by September 30, 2031.

Congressional Summary

This bill requires the Department of Education to award grants to certain partnerships with state educational agencies to support statewide implementation of early college fast track pathways and early high school graduation fast track pathways.The bill defines early college fast track pathways as programs of advanced coursework resulting in credit that (1) is equivalent to at least two semesters of full-time postsecondary enrollment, and (2) satisfies the requirements for a high school diploma. In addition, the bill defines early high school graduation fast track pathways as scholarships for students who graduate high school early, do not require remedial coursework in postsecondary education, and attend a public two- or four-year institution of higher education.The bill also makes certain high school students participating in an early college fast track pathway eligible to receive Pell Grants.

Details

Congress: 119th
Chamber: Senate
Status: summarized
Action: Introduced in Senate
Action Date: 2025-12-04
Date Added: 2026-04-06
Source: Congress.gov →

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