(Boston Orange編譯)麻州政府今(10)日宣布，撥出247,000 美元「大學橋樑」（Bridges to College）補助金給5所社區學院，及1家醫療保健人力機構，幫助約200 名成人學習者加強技能，順利過渡至高等教育與職業培訓課程。
「大學橋樑」計畫主要優先支持以成年、低收入及入門級勞工為對象，並幫助他們克服障礙，取得學位，投身熱門職業的機構。
麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）表示，這筆經費旨在掃除成年學生上大學的障礙，為尋求經濟與職涯成長的居民創造機會。
麻州副州長Kim Driscoll則強調，這計畫藉著和社區合作，提供學術準備與諮詢，增加學生重返校園的信心。
這是麻州提升州民勞動力競爭水平的一系列行動之一。麻州州長奚莉和州議會合作，，把州級的財務援助撥款增加了一倍，包括為符合培爾獎助金（Pell Grant ）資格的學生提供免費公立大學教育，為所有符合資格州民提供免費上社區學院機會等。
根據政府數據顯示，MassReconnect 計畫啟動兩年來，25 歲以上成年學習者的人數增加了 2 萬。麻州政府去年 10 月還曾撥款 150 萬美元 TRAIN 補助金，近期還與 ReUp Education 合作招睞失學成人。
獲得麻州政府這筆補助的5所社區學院，分別為：
· 羅克斯伯里社區學院 (RCC)： $50,000。用於擴展「The Fort」計畫，針對受司法影響之成年學習者提供諮詢與輔導。
· Caring Medical Staffing： $50,000。用於醫療保健職能銜接計畫，協助學生取得 CNA、CPR、急救、失智症及家庭健康助理證照。
· 米德爾塞克斯社區學院 (MCC)： $41,870。開發醫療與技術銜接倡議，協助非學分學員於 2026 年秋季轉入正式學分課程。
· 霍利約克社區學院 (HCC)： $40,524。與 Western Mass CORE 合作開發大學與職涯準備模組。
· 昆西加蒙社區學院 (QCC)： $38,208。用於夏季計畫，提供外展服務、學術準備及職涯就緒支援。
· 布里斯托社區學院 (Bristol)： $26,398。強化現有的「過渡至大學」（TTC）計畫，協助學生從成人教育進入學分課程。
麻州叫育廳廳長Stephen Zrike和高等教育專員Noe Ortega都指出，麻州政府11 月發佈的報告稱，公立大專院校畢業生在畢業五年後的年收入，比未接受高等教育的同儕高出 2 萬至 3 萬美元。這計畫對家庭、社區及整體經濟具有正面連鎖反應。
Healey Driscoll Administration Awards $247,000 To Help Adult Students Transition to College and Develop Workforce Skills
Funding supports 200 entry-level adult students earning college degrees
BOSTON—The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today it awarded $247,000 in Bridges to College grants to five community colleges and a health care staffing agency to help nearly 200 adult learners strengthen their academic skills and successfully transition into higher education and career training programs.
The Bridges to College Program supports community colleges and organizations that prioritize helping adult, low-income and entry level workers overcome obstacles that may prevent them from completing their degree and launching in-demand careers.
“Every Massachusetts resident deserves the opportunity to continue their education and build a better future for themselves and their families,” said Governor Maura Healey. “These Bridges to College grants are making it easier for adult learners in the state to get back into the classroom and earn a degree by helping remove barriers, strengthen pathways to college, and create opportunities for Massachusetts residents looking for economic and career growth.”
“Adult learners often face unique challenges when returning to school,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Bridges to College supports community partnerships that provide the academic preparation, advising and encouragement students need to take the next step with confidence.”
The Bridges to College Program builds on efforts by the administration to help more students access college while boosting the state’s workforce and competitiveness. Working with the Legislature, Governor Healey has doubled state funding for financial aid programs – including offering free tuition and fees to Pell Grant eligible students at all public two- and four-year colleges and making community college free regardless of income level. Data from the first two years of MassReconnect show consecutive year-over-year enrollment growth of adult learners ages 25 and older, a growth of 20,000 adult learners alone over two years.
In October, the administration awarded $1.5 million in Training Resources and Internships Network (TRAIN) grants to provide essential training opportunities to more than 500 unemployed and under-employed residents. Massachusetts also recently launched a partnership with ReUp Education to bring adult learners who previously began, but did not complete, degrees and certificates at the state’s public colleges and universities back to college.
“Bridges to College programs play a critical role in supporting adult learners as they transition into postsecondary education,” said Secretary of Education Stephen Zrike. “These partnerships help ensure that adult students have the academic preparation, advising and support they need to succeed in college and beyond.”
“Bridges to College is part of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s successful efforts to help adult learners overcome the barriers of returning to college,” said Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega. “When residents of Massachusetts get well-deserved opportunities to grow their careers, there’s a positive ripple effect on families, communities, our workforce, and our economy.”
In November, the Healey-Driscoll Administration released a first-of-its-kind state report on post-college earnings that shows that, five years after graduation, graduates of Massachusetts public colleges or universities make $20,000 to $30,000 more per year than their peers who did not pursue higher education. The report followed the administration’s launch of “Go Higher,” a new brand and awareness campaign designed to increase exposure to higher education, improve the information pipeline, and build awareness of financial and institutional supports that help students see themselves in college.
Grant Awardees
Bristol Community College (Bristol): $26,398
Funding will enhance Bristol’s existing Transition to College (TTC) program, a comprehensive, equity-centered initiative designed to support adult learners as they move from adult education into developmental or credit-bearing coursework.
Caring Medical Staffing: $50,000
The Healthcare Workforce & College Transition Pathway is a comprehensive program designed to prepare learners for immediate employment in the healthcare field while creating a bridge to postsecondary education. Students will earn their Certified Nurse Assistant certificate, CPR and First Aid certificate, Dementia certificate and Home Health Aid certification.
Holyoke Community College (HCC): $40,524
In partnership with Western Mass CORE, HCC will develop enhanced college and career preparation modules to address key challenges that face adults seeking access to college and workforce programs.
Middlesex Community College (MCC): $41,870
MCC will develop Middlesex Bridges to Credit: Health & Technical Pathways Initiative, a program designed to transition adult learners who have completed non-credit workforce and adult education programs into Fall 2026 enrollment in credit-bearing certificate and degree pathways aligned with in-demand, living-wage careers.
Quinsigamond Community College (QCC): $38,208
QCC will register and enroll low-income and entry-level adult workers into the Bridges to College summer program, including outreach, academic preparation, support services and career readiness.
Roxbury Community College (RCC): $50,000
The program will expand The Fort at RCC’s structured transition model for justice-impacted adult learners, providing coordinated intake, individualized advising, case management, and coaching to address both academic readiness and non-academic barriers.
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