KUTZTOWN, PA — Hundreds of Pennsylvania high school students are earning college credits at no cost as the state expands funding for dual-credit programs designed to accelerate access to higher education.
What This Means for You
- High school students can earn college credits for free before graduation
- The state is investing $7 million more, bringing total funding to $21 million
- Programs are expanding access, especially for rural and low-income students
State education officials on Wednesday announced $7 million in new grants to 10 colleges and universities to grow dual-credit programs, which allow high school students to take college-level courses and earn credits before graduating.
How Dual-Credit Programs Work
Dual-credit programs let students enroll in college courses while still in high school, earning credits that can be applied toward a future degree.
Under the state-funded model, students do not pay tuition, fees, or costs for books and materials, removing financial barriers that often prevent early college access.
Education Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe said the programs are designed to reduce risk for students exploring post-graduation options while helping them gain a head start.
“Dual-credit programs remove some of that risk from the equation and replace it with opportunity for students to explore their interests and earn college credits — without taking on debt,” Rowe said.
Expansion at Kutztown University
At Kutztown University, officials highlighted 68 students from 19 school districts who will graduate this spring with college credits earned through the Early College Academy.
More than half of those students earned credits toward education majors, contributing to a growing pipeline of future teachers.
Since its launch, the program has helped 80 students begin pursuing teaching careers before graduating high school.
The university is expanding the program further, with 97 students from 24 school districts expected to participate in the next cohort.
Focus on Workforce and Access
State officials said the investment is part of a broader effort to strengthen Pennsylvania’s workforce, particularly in high-demand fields like education and health sciences.
Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, the program will adopt a hybrid schedule, with students attending classes on campus two days per week and participating virtually one day per week. The model is intended to reduce transportation barriers for rural students while maintaining in-person learning opportunities.
Students typically enroll in two college courses per semester, earning up to 12 transferable credits over one academic year.
Broader Education Investment
The dual-credit funding builds on broader education investments under the Shapiro administration, which has increased overall education funding by nearly $3 billion in recent years, including additional support for K-12 schools, special education, career and technical education, and higher education.
The governor’s proposed 2026-27 budget includes another $7 million to continue expanding dual-credit opportunities statewide.
Additional Teacher Pipeline Efforts
Officials also pointed to related initiatives aimed at addressing teacher shortages, including grants to accelerate certification for special education teachers and a stipend program offering up to $10,000 for student teachers.
Since the 2021-22 school year, the state has issued more than 25,000 teaching certifications, reversing a previous decline in new educators entering the workforce.
Next Steps
The newly awarded grants will support dual-credit programs at participating institutions over the next two years, with expanded course offerings and enrollment expected to begin this summer.
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