Kaine Announces Support For Dual Enrollment Bill To Help Students Afford College

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine co-sponsored the Supporting College Access and Success Through Dual Enrollment Act, legislation to help students earn college credits in high school in order to cut the cost of earning a college diploma. Kaine has long-supported dual enrollment programs as a tool to help bring down college costs for families.

The Supporting College Access and Success Through Dual Enrollment Act would provide grants to states to expand programs that allow high school students to take college-level classes and earn credit that counts toward both high school and college graduation. Research has shown dual enrollment programs help reduce the cost and time necessary to complete a college degree. In Virginia alone, more than 28,000 high school students are already participating in dual enrollment programs.

“This legislation expands opportunities for students to get a head start on their college education and opens doors for families who didn’t think higher education was a realistic option,” said Kaine, who directed millions of dollars in student aid to ease tuition costs for Virginians as Governor. “The rising costs of college and burden of student loan debt are hurting students long after graduation and we must start taking meaningful steps to make higher education more affordable for American families.”  

The Supporting College Access and Success Through Dual Enrollment Act  has been endorsed by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, the American Association of Community Colleges, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and the National Association of College Admissions Counselors.

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