U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — U.S. Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire have introduced a bill that would assist rural students in reaching their higher education goals and connect them with employment opportunities in their hometowns.

The Success for Rural Students and Communities Act would encourage rural students to pursue higher education, calling for partnerships among school districts, institutions of higher education, regional economic development entities, and rural community-serving organizations.

The bill also would encourage partnerships to work with employers to determine needed credentials for rural students to be hired, whether it’s a college degree, a skilled trade credential, or a professional certificate.

“In Maine, 90 percent of students graduate from high school, but only about 62 percent enroll in higher education right away,” Collins, a Republican, said in a statement. “Our bipartisan bill encourages schools and employers to forge partnerships that will put students on pathways to the high-need jobs available where they live.”

Hassan, a Democrat, said too many rural New Hampshire residents struggle with accessing higher education and finding jobs where they live.

The bill is co-sponsored by Sens. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, and Tina Smith, a Minnesota Democrat. A similar bill has been introduced in the House.

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