Dual Enrolled Students Academic Pathways Grant

The Dual Enrolled Students Academic Pathways program, initiated by the Illinois Community College Board, aims to enhance educational outcomes for Illinois students, particularly first-generation and low-income students. By implementing a comprehensive support program across community colleges and K-12 districts, the initiative seeks to align educational programming with labor market demands, ensuring students receive vital support during their transition from high school to college. This collaborative effort is designed to boost dual credit and enrollment outcomes statewide.

Illinois Community College Board
In 1965, the Illinois General Assembly established the Illinois Community College Board to create a system of public community colleges that would be accessible to every resident. More than 50 years later, the Illinois Community College System is the third largest system in the United States, with 48 colleges and one multi-community college center throughout Illinois. The community colleges serve over 500,000 Illinois residents each year in credit and noncredit courses and serve many more through public service programs.
Short Description
Implement a comprehensive student support program aligned with labor market demand and economic opportunity. A small cohort of community colleges and K-12 districts will be engaged in programming to produce student outcome milestones. If key student outcome milestones are reached, this program may demonstrate measures to boost dual credit and dual enrollment outcomes across the state.
Objective
Community college partners will be trained to deliver direct student supports to participating scholars. These financial, academic, personal and professional supports will begin their senior year of high school and continue at least through the participants’ first year of community college. Through one or more cooperative agreements with public community colleges, the program will facilitate collaboration between stakeholders to implement this programming in support of students.
Program Accomplishments
Participating in the program should lead to significantly better educational outcomes and career pathways for targeted student populations.

Eligibility

Applicant EligibilityCommunity based organizations formally invited to submit an application.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Students in Illinois, particularly first-generation students, those from underrepresented groups and low-income students