FY2027: Transition to College
The FY2027: Transition to College grant funds Massachusetts colleges to provide intensive academic and advising support for adult learners entering and progressing through postsecondary education.
Funder: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Due Dates (Anticipated): May 2027 (Questions deadline) | June 2027 (Full proposal submission)
Funding Amounts: ~$3.5M available; up to $140,000 (one cohort) or $162,000–$175,000 (two cohorts); up to $50,000 for optional support services; project duration up to 1 year.
Summary: Supports Massachusetts colleges in providing integrated transition services for adult learners entering and succeeding in postsecondary education.
Key Information: Only Massachusetts colleges are eligible; partnerships with DESE-funded Community Adult Learning Centers or Correctional Institutions are required.
Description
This grant program aims to help adult learners in Massachusetts transition into, persist through, and complete postsecondary education. Administered by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the initiative funds colleges to provide foundational services—such as academic instruction, intensive advising, and access to credit-bearing courses—on campus. The program emphasizes building student self-sufficiency and requires partnerships with DESE-funded Community Adult Learning Centers (CALCs) or Correctional Institutions. Optional funding is available for colleges to continue support services as students progress toward independence or transition to four-year institutions.
