Early College High School (ECHS) Grant

The Early College High School (ECHS) initiative by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) offers an innovative program that allows students to earn up to two years of college credit at no cost. Targeting historically underserved and at-risk students, ECHS promotes higher education access and success. Research indicates that ECHS participants are nearly three times more likely to earn college degrees compared to their peers, demonstrating its effectiveness in bridging educational gaps.

Purpose of ECHS
The Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) Early College High School (ECHS) initiative is an open enrollment program that blends college and high school coursework, enabling students to earn up to two years of college credit (60 hours), tuition-free. This program aims to support historically underserved and at-risk students, providing an access ramp to postsecondary education for those most in need. According to research done by the American Institutes for Research, ECHS students are nearly three times as likely to earn an associate degree or bachelor’s degree than their non-ECHS peers.
Prospective CCRSM Campus
In order to operate as a Texas Education Agency-approved Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) or Early College High School (ECHS), all prospective P-TECH and ECHS must engage in a planning year prior to receiving P-TECH or ECHS designation from TEA.
Designation Renewal Information
Designated P-TECH and ECHS campuses must reapply for designation every academic year. Campuses can only apply for designation renewal if they hold a designation status, including a planning, provisional, or designated status, in the current academic year. Please note that if you are a multi-model campus and operate both ECHS and P-TECH programs, you must submit an application for each model