Washington, D.C. — Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), along with Senators Todd Young (R-IN), Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) today introduced the Gateway to Careers Act. This legislation would provide federal grant funding to cover support services, like childcare, transportation assistance, and career counseling, to help working adults and other nontraditional students complete their degree or credential program.
The grants, administered by the Department of Education in consultation with Department of Labor, would be awarded on a competitive basis to institutions that are working in partnership to serve students by eliminating barriers to postsecondary access and completion.
Katie Brown, Senior Federal Policy Analyst at National Skills Coalition, issued the following statement in support of the legislation:
A growing number of today’s college students are working adults who are pursuing the skills they need to succeed in today’s economy while also trying to balance work and family obligations. Unfortunately, current federal policy does little to provide non-tuition support services, which we know are proven to help students succeed in whatever postsecondary pathway they choose.
At a time when more than 80 percent of jobs in the U.S. require some form of postsecondary education and training, the Gateway to Careers Act would give working adults and other nontraditional students more access to vital support services – like childcare – to help them continue on their journey towards fulfilling their education and career aspirations.
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