H.R. 1409: College Thriving Act

This bill, known as the College Thriving Act, aims to establish a grant program overseen by the Secretary of Education that will fund the development and implementation of "skills-for-success" courses for first-year students at certain higher education institutions. Here are the key components of what the bill proposes:

Grant Program

• The Secretary of Education will award grants on a competitive basis to eligible institutions that submit applications for funding.
• Priority will be given to institutions where at least 50% of students are eligible for Federal Pell Grants, indicating a focus on institutions serving low-income students.
• Grants will be available for a period of five years, and the amount awarded will be determined by the Secretary based on the needs of the institution.
• Institutions must apply for the grants, providing specific details about their proposed skills-for-success course and justifying the amount requested.
• The Secretary will offer technical assistance to help these institutions with the grant application process, with special prioritization for those with high percentages of Pell Grant recipients.

Skills-for-Success Course Development

Institutions that receive a grant will be required to develop and implement a skills-for-success course. The funding will be utilized over four phases:

• Preparation Phase: In the first year, institutions will focus on course development and preparation activities, which may include:
  • Creating relationships among students with similar enrollment dates.
  • Hiring and training instructional staff.
  • Securing support from faculty and staff for implementing curriculum changes.
  • Setting up necessary operational infrastructure.
• Pilot Phase: In the second year, institutions will run a pilot version of the course and gather feedback on its effectiveness, including teacher and student input.
• Implementation Phase: During the third, fourth, and fifth years, institutions will fully implement the course for all first-year students, making adjustments based on evaluations from the pilot phase and ongoing assessments.

Reporting Requirements

At the end of the five-year grant period, institutions must submit a report detailing the outcomes of their efforts. This report will include:

• An evaluation of the pilot course’s success.
• A description of how the grant funds were utilized over the years.

Definitions

The bill outlines several definitions, including what constitutes an eligible institution and describes the skills-for-success course, which must support first-year students in developing skills essential for their success in higher education.

Funding Authorization

The legislation authorizes appropriations of $50 million to support the implementation of this grant program, with funds remaining available until fully expended.

Relevant Companies

• None found