Hoyer Applauds College of Southern Maryland's Invitation to Participate in Dual-Enrollment Pilot Program

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) today applauded an announcement by the U.S. Department of Education on inviting the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) to participate in a dual-enrollment pilot program. U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King, Jr. made the announcement this morning at the College of Southern Maryland's La Plata campus. The program will allow low-income high school students to use Federal Pell Grants to pay for college classes.

"I am pleased that the U.S. Department of Education has invited the College of Southern Maryland to participate in this important pilot program," said Congressman Steny Hoyer. "As the cost of college education continues to skyrocket, I am committed to making higher education more accessible and affordable for students. The dual-enrollment program at CSM has been very successful, and I believe their model can be used to increase dual enrollment at other institutions. Today's announcement will make CSM's program even more successful by allowing low-income high school students to use Pell Grants for dual enrollment. These Pell Grants will be a critical source of financial aid that will help students from Fifth District high schools access a quality education."

The College of Southern Maryland is one of 44 postsecondary institutions invited to participate in the dual-enrollment pilot program. According to the Department of Education, an estimated 10,000 high school students will have the opportunity to access an estimated $20 million in Federal Pell Grants through the program.