Career Connected High School Grant Program

In August 2023, the U.S. Department of Education launched the Career Connected High School Grant program. The $25 million program will provide grants to consortia of local educational agencies (K-12), higher education institutions, and employers to pilot evidence-based strategies that increase the integration and alignment of the last two years of high school and the first two years of postsecondary education. The aim is to improve postsecondary education and career outcomes for all students.

The grant program is part of the Raise the Bar: Unlocking Career Success initiative created by President Biden’s Bidenomics agenda – with its goal to help young Americans access good-paying jobs through increasing and expanding access to high-quality career pathways to jobs in in-demand fields and to careers of the future.

Grantees can use funds for activities based on the need of the region, such as additional dual enrollment classes; the costs of tuition, books, supplies, and other related expenses for low-income students; tutoring and other academic supports; transportation for students to work-based learning sites; development of new career & technical education (CTE) programs in high-growth fields.

The program is founded in the recognition that siloing (“invisible walls”) between K-12, higher education, and workforce systems has resulted in learners having to complete one before moving on to the next. This is occurring when overlapping preparation is called for to meet individual needs for education and career development, and employer needs for a well-prepared workforce. The strategy behind this program is to reimagine high school and college in the U.S., recognizing that in high schools of the future, college is one but not the only path to high-quality jobs and careers of the future.

The notice inviting applications (NIA) went live in August 2023 and can be reviewed here