College Credit for Heroes

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is procuring grants for the College Credit for Heroes (CCH) program, targeting Texas Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) to develop comprehensive credit recognition programs for Veterans and Active-Duty Service Members (VADSMs). The procurement seeks to award up to $750,000 in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding, with individual grants of up to $200,000 for Tier 1 activities. Key deliverables include creating an evaluation process for military education history, building a CCH Champions team, implementing the American Council on Education's Military Guide, developing Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) systems, and establishing sustainable tracking methods for awarding academic credits toward credentials or degrees. Evaluation criteria will focus on applicant eligibility, application completeness, program design, institutional readiness, outreach strategies, and budgetary compliance. The application period is open from August 1, 2025, with a submission deadline of August 3, 2026, and applications will be processed on a rolling basis with an approximate 60-day review period. Successful Tier 1 grantees will be encouraged to apply for a subsequent Tier 2 grant to further enhance and scale their programs.

Eligible applicants are limited to public and private Texas IHEs, including universities, junior colleges, and technical colleges, who will serve as fiscal agents for the awarded funds. There are no specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises mentioned in the documentation. The program specifically emphasizes developing credit opportunities for Combat Arms Service Members, who historically have not been awarded college credit due to the nature of their military training. The funding period is scheduled from August 1, 2025, to July 31, 2027, with potential future expansion through the Tier 2 grant cycle. While no incumbent vendors are listed, the program requires integration with existing institutional infrastructure and the American Council on Education's Military Guide. The total program budget is $750,000, with individual grants capped at $200,000, allowing multiple institutions to potentially receive funding. The ultimate goal is to support VADSMs' educational and workforce transitions by facilitating credit transfer, job placement assistance, and creating sustainable educational pathways.