Department of Higher Education

The Missouri Department of Higher Education (MDHE) is collecting public comment on a preliminary list of high-need occupations and program categories for the proposed Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant currently moving through the General Assembly. If passed, the legislation would require the Coordinating Board for Higher Education (CBHE) to approve annually a list of instructional programs that recipients of Fast Track would be eligible to pursue.

Fast Track is a proposed new financial aid program that would provide tuition assistance to adults over 25 years of age, working toward a degree or an industry-recognized credential that fills a high-needs skill gap. The MDHE compiled a preliminary list of high-need occupations and program categories utilizing long-term occupational projections developed by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC).

Members of the public may submit written comment on this proposed list by completing the online form available at: https://dhe.mo.gov/initiatives/fast_trackpublic_comment.php before April 30 at 5 p.m.

If Fast Track is approved by the General Assembly, the CBHE will take into consideration the submitted public comments as they approve a finalized list of programs eligible for the Fast Track program. Work is underway to identify the approved list for program implementation in fall 2019.

For more information about Fast Track, visit https://dhe.mo.gov/initiatives/fast_track.php.

About the Missouri Department of Higher Education: The department seeks to build Missouri’s future by degrees and coordinate higher education policy that fosters a quality postsecondary system. More information about MDHE can be found at https://dhe.mo.gov or find us on Facebook and Twitter @MoHigherEd.