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Missouri hearing advances bill to let A+ students use benefits for short certificate programs
Summary
A House committee heard testimony on House Bill 331 to create a CareerTech certificate program allowing A+-eligible graduates to use A+ funds for short-term certificates and licenses such as CDL, CNA and EMT; supporters said the change would close a gap that leaves many students paying out of pocket.
Representative Anne Kelly, sponsor of House Bill 331 and the representative for District 127, told the Missouri House Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development that the bill would let recent high school graduates use A+ program benefits for short, intensive certificate and licensing programs.
"Why wait? Missouri has a gap of services and we need to fill this gap," Representative Anne Kelly said, describing the CareerTech certificate program as an option for students who want certificates or licenses instead of two‑ or four‑year degrees.
The bill creates a CareerTech certificate program to cover short-term, non‑semester training such as commercial driver’s license (CDL), certified nursing assistant (CNA), certified medication technician (CMT) and emergency medical technician (EMT) coursework that currently falls outside A+ and Pell eligibility because courses are often shorter than a full semester. Kelly said she provided language to clarify EMT and paramedic certification would be explicitly included.
Committee members asked technical and fiscal questions. Representative Hein asked whether the state would incur higher A+ program costs because some students in the CareerTech path would not be Pell eligible; Kelly and committee members clarified Pell is typically drawn first and that Fast Track already uses a similar approach, so net costs in the A+ program should not be materially higher. Representative Smith asked whether cosmetology would be included; Kelly confirmed cosmetology would qualify as a certificate/licensing program under the bill.
Witnesses spoke in support. Cade Tremaine, representing the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told the committee that "establishing a career tech certificate program fund would undoubtedly help ensure that Missouri higher education institutions are continuously producing a talented workforce in our high demand areas," and said the Chamber supports the bill because it strengthens workforce readiness and access to training. A witness speaking for the Missouri National Education Association also urged quick movement on the bill, saying it would help recent high school graduates obtain skills and begin earning.
The committee heard no opposition testimony and concluded the public hearing on House Bill 331. The hearing record shows discussion and support but no committee vote recorded in the transcript.
