(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
In an effort to get more high school students thinking about college, the state has announced new funding that will pay for low-income students across the state to go on college tours.
“Under the College Access Challenge Grant program, we are giving low-income high school students and their families the opportunity to explore colleges firsthand,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement.
The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC), which administers the program, is dedicating $500,000 to provide sub-grants of up to $45,000 to organizations that provide college tours to low-income students. The tours are to be provided by schools, not-for-profit agencies and community based organizations.
“The costs involved in a college campus visit can be a barrier to attending college for low-income students,” said Elsa Magee, acting president of HESC, in a statement.
“We’re excited to work with partners who will help spur enthusiasm and motivation for college in traditionally underserved students by allowing them to experience college first-hand without having to worry about the associated costs,” she added.
The target population to be served by the funding is students from families living below the poverty line, according to the program’s website.
Information on how to apply is available at hesc.ny.gov/cacg.
