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Bucks County $1M Dual Credit grant will include Pennridge students; district to offer subsidized credits
Summary
Bucks County Community College won a $1,000,000 Dual Credit Innovation Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education; Pennridge was allotted three tuition‑free course credits and the district plans to offer one free credit per dual‑enrollment course to participating students.
Yolanda Yabardi of Bucks County Community College told the Pennridge curriculum committee that the college’s Dual Credit Innovation Grant — a Pennsylvania Department of Education award for $1,000,000 over two years — is intended to expand equitable access to dual enrollment for public‑school students in the county.
"The Dual Credit Innovation Grant is a state funded initiative designed to expand dual enrollment opportunities to students in the state," Yabardi said, describing the grant and the college’s plan to partner with districts to align high‑school and college course outcomes. Bucks officials said the grant funds can support tuition‑free credits, scholarships for on‑campus courses and collaborative course design between college faculty and district teachers.
District and Bucks staff said Penridge received an allocation of three tuition‑free courses. Hilary Zoplicki, high‑school administrator, said the district plans to give participating students one free college credit for each dual‑enrollment course they take; the college budget example in the presentation showed "3 courses at 3 credits for 20 students" used as an initial allocation model.
Committee members asked whether students could use the benefit this semester. Zoplicki said counselors are communicating to students enrolled in currently offered dual‑enrollment classes and that students must complete the Bucks application and any required placement tests. After grant subsidies, staff estimated the student‑paid portion for a course at roughly $260 with fees in one example presented to the committee.
Committee members raised equity questions about remaining fees for low‑income families; Yabardi said Bucks is willing to pursue additional funding sources and donor support and noted some scholarship/donor funds may be available through college advancement channels.
Next steps: the district will communicate course availability to students and counselors will process applications and placements so eligible students can use grant‑supported credits this academic year.
