An Act to expand dual enrollment for high school students in Gateway Cities

This bill creates an Early College Access Program to help high school students in specific gateway cities earn college credits without paying tuition. It targets students who live in or attend schools in designated gateway municipalities and qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, providing them with needs-based financial aid to cover their costs. Under this program, eligible students can take up to 24 college credits through the existing Commonwealth Dual Enrollment Partnership at no expense to themselves. The legislation amends state law to establish this new funding mechanism, which is subject to annual appropriation by the legislature.