Bright students in low-income and underserved areas will now be given an opportunity to expand their post-high school academic horizons after an announcement by Governor Andrew Cuomo on Thursday.
Through the New York College Access Challenge Grant (CACG) program, which is offered by the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HSEC), students can apply for sub-grants that will pay for costs associated with touring colleges. A total of $500,000 is available, and organizations that provide college tours to low-income students can apply for grants of up to $45,000.
“Under the College Access Challenge Grant program, we are giving low-income high school students and their families the opportunity to explore colleges firsthand,” said Cuomo in a press release. “The public and private partnerships we have forged in the last several years with this program have been invaluable in helping New York’s students grow their education beyond high school and getting them actively engaged in the college process. These grants are an important investment in our children, allowing disadvantaged students to visit campuses and realize that a bright academic future is within their reach.”
Cuomo also pointed out that touring a college gives students the motivation they may need to continue higher education. Through the CACG program, tours will be provided by schools, not-for-profit agencies, and community-based organizations that work directly with at-risk populations and populations that are traditionally underserved.
By providing more information on colleges and college application support, as well as scholarship, grant, and loan information, students and their families are more likely to be less intimidated by the college process, and are thus more likely to pursue higher education.
Prior to the CACG program, a smaller grant program was implemented in the Summer of 2013 that allowed 700 low-income students to participate in tours through the $250,000 summer College Tour Initiative, which was offered through organizations including the Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk, Inc. and the Grand St. Settlement in New York City.
For more information about the College Access Challenge Grant Program and how to apply for tours, click here.
[Source: Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo]