Postsecondary access without a high school diploma: Lessons from Louisiana's Five for Six Scholarship

Abstract

This article provides an overview of community colleges as an access point to higher education, specifically for individuals without a high school diploma. The article highlights how one community college system is addressing both postsecondary access and workforce demands through policy and practice change. The Louisiana Community and Technical College System's (LCTCS) Five for Six Scholarship provides individuals without a high school diploma a path towards college and a credential that can lead to a high‐wage, high‐demand career. Ultimately, other community college leaders and practitioners can learn from the positive findings of this unique policy and practice in Louisiana, which is proving that educational pathways are not always linear.