Shapiro Administration Awards $7M in Dual-Credit Innovation Grants to 10 Pennsylvania Higher Education Institutions

The Shapiro Administration announced $7 million in grants to 10 higher education institutions across Pennsylvania for dual-credit programs, expanding its Dual Credit Innovation Grant Program to a total investment of $21 million since taking office. Kutztown University received an $816,914 grant to expand its Early College Academy, which has helped 80 potential future teachers earn college credits before high school graduation, and will add a Health Sciences track beginning in 2026-27. These grants must be offered to students at no cost, with recipients not paying tuition, fees, books, or other attendance costs.

Educational institutions and students seeking tuition-free college pathways benefit from this continued investment, with recipients required to offer programs at no cost to participants. The expansion to a hybrid on-campus/virtual model (two days per week on campus, one day virtual) beginning in 2026-27 aims to reduce transportation barriers for rural districts while maintaining meaningful campus engagement.