FINISH Act

This bill establishes Innovation Grants to support evidence-based programs that improve access, retention, and completion rates for high-need students in higher education. It defines high-need students broadly to include first-generation college students, low-income students, students of color, working students, adult learners, and students with disabilities. The grants operate in three phases: early-phase for developing new programs, mid-phase for evaluating promising programs, and expansion-phase for scaling proven programs. Recipients must conduct rigorous evaluations measuring outcomes like degree completion, remedial course enrollment, and post-graduation employment and earnings. The bill also authorizes "pay for success initiatives" where funding is tied to achieving specific outcomes, with requirements for public reporting of results.