Maryland Higher Education Commission

September 2009 Press Release

 

 

For immediate release: September 10, 2009                            Media Contact: Christopher Falkenhagen
                                                                                                             Communications: (410) 260-4511

                                                                                                             cfalkenh@mhec.state.md.us

 

Grants to Provide College Awareness to Middle School Students

Grants are Part of the Federal College Access Challenge Grant Program

Annapolis, MD (September 10, 2009) - The Maryland Higher Education Commission has awarded grants totaling $845,392.80 to provide outreach activities and services to improve preparation for and access to college for low-income middle school students in Baltimore City and Prince George’s County.

The grants, under the federal College Access Challenge Grant Program, were awarded to 13 nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher education to provide college awareness information and services to students, who are at risk of not enrolling in or completing college, and their parents on postsecondary benefits, opportunities, and career planning and preparation.

“These grants will provide academic enrichment, college awareness and career exploration activities for students who may be at risk of not enrolling in or completing postsecondary education,” said James E. Lyons, Sr., Secretary of Higher Education. “Support and information will also be provided to the parents of these students to help them understand the college admissions and financial aid process.”

The recipients of the College Access Challenge Grant awards will offer a variety of programming to include college and career exploratory activities, financial aid awareness seminars, college tours, and information on the importance of taking rigorous courses in high school.

The following received awards: Age of Awareness, Inc.; Baltimore City Community College; Capitol College; In Reach, Inc; University of Maryland, College Park; Living Classrooms Foundation; Minority Access, Inc.; Prince George’s Community College; Stevenson University; The Light of the City Resource Center of Maryland, Inc.; 100 Black Men of Maryland, Inc.; Towson University; and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

 

The Maryland Higher Education Commission is a 12-member coordinating board responsible for establishing statewide policies for Maryland public and independent colleges and universities and private career schools. It serves as an advocate for more than 337,000 college students in Maryland, for the State and its needs, and for business and industry in Maryland.

 

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