Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) today announced that the Shapiro Administration has awarded $14 million in grant funding to 15 public institutions of higher education to enable more high school students to enroll in dual credit programs across the Commonwealth, giving them more opportunities to chart their own course and prepare for successful careers.
“Dual credit programs open doors for students to get a head start on college and career success,” said Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe. “By investing in these opportunities, we’re helping more young people—especially those historically underrepresented in higher education—access in-demand courses that lead to credentials and careers our workforce needs. It’s about expanding opportunity and creating pathways to a future they choose.”
Dual credit programs improve student outcomes by enabling them to take college courses and earn credits for both high school and college – while still in high school. Dual credit offerings improve academic achievement, high school graduation rates, college enrollment, and college completion rates. In an effort to enable more underrepresented student access to dual credit programs, in July 2024 the School Code established the Dual Credit Innovation Grant Program. The purpose of the program is to provide funding for public colleges and universities to increase capacity to provide dual credit courses.
Awardees include:
Berks County
- Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, $946,951
Bucks County
- Bucks County Community College (Main), $1,000,000
Cambria County
- Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, $1,000,000
Chester County
- West Chester University of Pennsylvania, $576,066.74
Dauphin County
- Harrisburg Area Community College (Wildwood), $808,454.13
Erie County
- Erie County Community College, $1,000,000
Indiana County
- Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Main), $808,454.13
Lehigh County
- Lehigh Carbon Community College, $1,000,000
Luzerne County
- Luzerne County Community College, $1,000,000
Lycoming County
- Pennsylvania College of Technology, $1,000,000
Northampton County
- Northampton County Community College (Main), $860,161
Philadelphia County
- Community College of Philadelphia, $999,982
Warren County
- Northern Pennsylvania Regional College, $1,000,000
Washington County
- Pennsylvania Westen University, $999,931
Westmoreland County
- Westmoreland County Community College, $1,000,000
Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget proposal builds on his commitment to creating prosperous pathways for learners across the Commonwealth. The Governor’s proposed 2025-26 budget includes continued support for public higher education, calling for a $13 million increase for community colleges, a $40 million increase for PASSHE universities, and $60 million to be distributed via performance-based funding for Pitt, Penn State, and Temple.