How FAST (Financial Aid for Swift Transfer) Is Too Fast: Examining Dual Enrollment Policy Implementation in Texas

• In Event: Expanding Access: The Implementation and Effects of College Access and Retention Initiatives

Abstract

Texas’ Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) program provides public colleges with funding for the cost of delivering dual enrollment to low-income students. The policy allows public institutions to opt-in and does not require their participation. In other words, the program depends on community college practitioners to choose how to implement state policy. This qualitative study sought to better understand the process of how colleges choose to participate in, and implement, FAST. Through semi-structured interviews with community college practitioners, we find that local contexts influence which colleges were early and late policy implementers and substantial differences in how colleges and high schools navigate ambiguity in state policy and cover funding gaps and escalating costs for some students.

Authors

• Frank Fernandez, University of Wisconsin - Madison

• Xiaodan Hu, Southern Methodist University

• Marissa R. Moreno, Lee College

• Guillermo Ortega, Texas Tech University