Source: United States Senator for Ohio Sherrod Brown
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced legislation to expand services for community college students and improve graduation rates. The Community College Student Success Act would fund programs at community colleges to support students by providing comprehensive wraparound services, including free tutoring, textbooks, and transportation.
“Respecting the dignity of work means ensuring students of all backgrounds have the opportunity to pursue jobs that pay well and are fulfilling. By investing in programs that provide tutoring, textbooks, and transportation, we empower students to make the best decisions for their careers, whether that’s choosing to pursue additional workforce training or getting a job. I’m proud to join Senator Schatz to support this effort,” said Brown.
Many community college students face increased academic and financial obstacles than students at four-year institutions, including working part- or full-time jobs to pay for the full cost of college and navigating the bureaucracy of course selection and financial aid. Community colleges also serve low-income students and students of color at far higher rates than public four-year institutions, and at more than half the cost. However, community college graduate students at far lower rates with fewer resources.
The Community College Student Success Act is modeled on successful student programs, such as the City University of New York’s Accelerated Study In Associate Programs, which has a proven record of doubling community college graduation rates. This legislation establishes competitive grant programs for community colleges to replicate the CUNY ASAP-style completion programs, or to improve and expand existing evidence-based comprehensive student success programs.
This bill would provide community college students with wraparound support including:
- Mandatory personalized academic, career, and personal advising;
- Additional financial aid to cover unmet need; and
- Tutoring services, free transportation access, and free textbooks.
The Community College Student Success Act is supported by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), Higher Learning Advocates, Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP), National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC), Results for America, The Education Trust (EdTrust), The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS), University of Hawai‘i System, and Young Invincibles.
The full text of the bill is available here.
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