If college completion rates are critical to raising families out of poverty in the U.S., something must be done to ensure more students from poor families are able to finish their education. This is the goal of a new three-year initiative from the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) and the American Association of Community Colleges, in cooperation with the Open Society Foundations, as well as the Ford, Lumina, Annie E. Casey and Kresge Foundations. The Foundation Center reports that the Benefits Access for College Completion initiative is up and ready to roll at seven community colleges across the country.
About the Benefits Access for College Completion Initiative
- Gateway Community and Technical College (Kentucky)
- Skyline College (California)
- Northampton Community College (Pennsylvania)
- Cuyahoga Community College (Ohio)
- LaGuardia Community College (New York)
- Macomb Community College (Michigan)
- Lake Michigan Community College (Michigan)
- Colleges forming partnerships with state and local agencies that provide financial services
- Creating information for students that explains the various financial assistance programs available in the community
- Developing centers on the college campus that will direct students to the financial assistance they need
- Educating faculty and staff to assistance programs available to increase awareness of students
- Finding ways to fund staff members on campus who will be able to screen students for some financial benefits available
- Informing students of support available through regular meetings with college advisors and financial aid counselors