OCAN invests $200,000 in Ohio Programs that Prepare Kids for College
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 19, 2008
CONTACT: Kimberly Gormley, Director, Marketing & Communications, Ohio College Access Network
Office: 614.947.3504, Cell: 614.668.2954, Email: gormleyk@ohiocan.org
OCAN invests $200,000 in Ohio Programs that Prepare Kids for College
Columbus, Ohio –The Ohio College Access Network (OCAN) awarded more than $200,000 today as part of the competitive Invest in Success process. This grant is designed for community-based traditional members to implement new programs, enhance existing initiatives or build capacity to strengthen their overall operations.
Need for funding is supported by Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs’ recent report that indicates 87 percent of students surveyed in
Appalachian Ohio who reported being in a special program to prepare them for college plan to go on to higher education immediately after high school. This is eight points higher than students who did not participate in a special program to prepare them for college. Many of the students surveyed would be first in their family to attend college.
To further address this need for special services, 11 member programs that serve students who are from low-income families and those who are first in their family to attend college will receive funding from OCAN to implement strategies during the 2008-2009 academic year. The Southern Ohio Center of Excellence (SOCOE), serving a five-county region in Appalachian Ohio, will work with students by building on college awareness activities students completed in eighth grade. Next year, in the ninth grade, these students will identify a career path, research colleges, select appropriate high school courses for transitioning to higher education, create a 10-year plan and build a resume.
SOCOE is just one example of the program services provided to students as a result of the Invest in Success grant. Other recipients include: A Call to College (Newark), ACCESS Ashtabula, Cincinnati Youth Collaborative, Lake/Geauga Education Foundation, Lima/Allen County CAP, Mahoning Valley CAP, Ohio Appalachian Center for Higher Education (OACHE), Pickaway HELPS, Summit Education Initiative and UCAN-Richland County.
“While the full study has not yet been completed, data from the Voinovich Center supports the effective work OCAN members are doing in their communities every day. Additionally, it highlights the need for increased services in areas where students require extra assistance. Certainly, Invest in Success funding will impact Ohio students next year and will remain an OCAN priority for years to come,” added Dr. Reginald Wilkinson, OCAN President & CEO.
###
The Ohio College Access Network (OCAN) was founded in 1999, by KnowledgeWorks Foundation, in collaboration with the Ohio Board of Regents, the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Business Roundtable. OCAN works to establish college access programs across the state and is the first statewide coordinating body for college access programs in the nation. The goal of the organization is to help more Ohio students pursue postsecondary education through the work of local college access programs, which provide financial aid advising, last dollar grants, career guidance, and other services. Currently, 36 college access programs serve nearly 300 of Ohio’s 612 school districts, and 17 private/parochial schools in 46 counties touching over 175,000 students annually.
Ohio College Access Network Spring 2008 Newsletter Now Available
The Ohio College Access Network Spring 2008 newsletter is now available in PDF form. Please click the link below to access.
Ohio Can! Go to College Request for Proposals
OCAN is administering a grant application process (see below Request for Proposals document for details) for eligible Ohio organizations to apply for two-year funding within two broad categories:
- Last dollar scholarships and on-going retention activities that will encourage more students to enter postsecondary education institutions; remain in their school; complete their degree programs; and ultimately become part of Ohio’s economic future.
- Internships, co-ops and similar initiatives will provide students who plan to enroll in postsecondary education and those who are already attending college with valuable work experience necessary for strengthening and filling the gaps in Ohio’s future workforce.
Grant awards will be made on the merits for each independent proposal. Applicants who succeed in becoming grantees should be able to advance their mission to: 1) increase the number of Ohio students participating in education beyond high school, 2) help those students persist through graduation from Ohio institutions, and 3) encourage graduates to remain in our state to live and work.
Application Guidelines
The below RFP document provides full information for applying to Ohio Can! Please review it carefully to determine if your organization’s mission coincides with this funding opportunity.
Download Request for Proposals (PDF Format)
For more information about the Ohio Can! Go to College Campaign click here.
OCAN Encourages its Members to Join OASFAA & OACAC
The Ohio College Access Network believes it is important to work closely with local associations to ensure that college access advisors have the most up-to-date college application, financial aid resources and information.
OASFAA (Ohio Association of Financial Aid Administrators) and OACAC (Ohio Associaton for College Admission Counseling) are committed to providing professional development and training for individuals dedicated to making college accessible and affordable. As a member of each organization, you will find a wealth of resources available on their respective websites www.oacac.org and www.oasfaa.org member's only pages, in addition to being eligible to participate in numerous training and other developmental opportunities to ensure that you are always current with Federal and State regulations and information. To join these associations, visit their website for more information.
Mission Statement