WASHINGTON — For the first time, thousands of low-income high-school students in nearly two dozen states, including Massachusetts, will soon be able to get federal grants to take college courses for credit, part of a program the Obama administration plans to begin this summer.

The experimental program allows high school students to apply for federal Pell grant money to pay for college courses. The ‘‘dual enrollment’’ program is designed to help students from lower-income backgrounds.

The Education Department says the administration will invest about $20 million in the 2016-17 school year to help about 10,000 students.

On Monday, the administration announced 44 colleges that are expected to participate.

Of the schools selected, three are in Massachusetts. Bristol Community College in Fall River and Holyoke Community College are part of the state’s network of public community colleges, while Urban College of Boston is directed by the City of Boston.

Carlos Santiago, commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, said the state is a supporter of the federal government’s initiative that will have a positive impact on students.

“It’s great that they selected two of our public institutions. Those institutions are located in areas where they’re very important for their community,’’ he said. “Dual enrollment has shown to be quite a success.’’

Sarah Morell, dean of division of access and transition at Bristol, said Pell eligibility will help more students have access to early college opportunities.

US Education Secretary John B. King Jr. says too many students in need aren’t getting challenging coursework to help prepare and motivate them beyond high school.

‘‘The courses students take while in high school and the support they get to succeed in those courses are major factors in not only whether students go to college but also in how well they will do when they get there,’’ King said. ‘‘The more rigorous and engaging the classes are, the better.’’

The schools had applied for the program after it was announced last October, and can start offering Pell grants to eligible students as early as July. Pell grants are for low-income people and do not have to be repaid.

Most of the institutions selected for the dual enrollment program are community colleges.

In the 2010-11 school year, more than 1.4 million high school students took courses offered by a college or university for credit through dual enrollment programs.

According to the department, less than 10 percent of children born in the bottom fourth of household incomes earn a bachelor’s degree by age 25, compared with more than 50 percent in the top fourth.

Under Secretary of Education Ted Mitchell said high school students would begin using their Pell eligibility while participating in the dual-enrollment program. The goal, he said, is that this program would lead directly to careers or a transfer into a four-year degree program for students.

For the 2016-17 award year that begins in July, the maximum grant award is $5,815. The amount a student receives varies, depending on financial need, cost of attendance, status as a full-time or part-time student, and other factors.

Students can receive Pell grants for no more than six years of college.

Globe correspondent Mina Corpuz contributed to this report.