Schools from Twenty States Apply For College For Every Student Gap Awards

ESSEX, N.Y., March 10, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Fifty-two schools that serve predominantly low-income students from 20 states and the District of Columbia completed Closing the Gap award applications to participate in the College For Every Student (CFES) program beginning in August 2015.

On May 1^st, CFES will announce five "Gap" winners, two of which will receive full funding for three years, while three other schools will be awarded half funding for three years. These awards are being underwritten by private donors.

"We're thrilled with this response from across the country. These are schools that are ready, with College For Every Student, to take the next step," said Rick Dalton, CFES President & CEO.

Over the last 30 years, the gap in college going and degree attainment between youth from low-income households and their higher income peers has widened steadily. "It's reached catastrophic levels.  Our nation needs to respond and the 'Gap" initiative provides a practical strategy to begin remedying this terrible situation," said Dalton.

The CFES program has been successful for more than two decades with 99 percent of CFES Scholars graduating from high school and 95 percent attending college.

Every CFES Scholar engages in three high-impact practices – Mentoring, Leadership Through Service, and Pathways to College. Research has shown these practices raise aspirations and develop the Essential Skills, including adaptability, grit, resilience, teamwork, leadership, and other competencies that promote social and educational uplift.

The College For Every Student model is tailored to fit the needs and culture of a particular set of young people. Volunteers, educators, and other partners who work with CFES Scholars receive ongoing professional development in building their program as they become part of a supportive global network.

The Closing the Gap awards are part of College For Every Student's commitment to scale up and help one million low-income youth attain college degrees by 2025.

College For Every Student (CFES) is a global leader in helping low-income students get to and through college, ready to enter the workforce. CFES currently supports 20,000 students through partnerships with 200 rural and urban K-12 schools and districts in 27 states and Ireland.  www.collegefes.org

CONTACT:Aubrey Bresett, 518-963-4500, [email protected]

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SOURCE College For Every Student

Related Links

http://www.collegefes.org