Thirteen High Schools Receive EducationQuest Grants
Funds will help increase college-going rate
(LINCOLN Neb. September 27, 2006) – EducationQuest Foundation has selected 13 Nebraska high schools as recipients of its College Access Grants Program – a program designed to increase the number of student who go to college.
For each of the next four years, the 13 high schools will share $175,000 in grant funds for a total distribution of $700,000. The schools will use the funds to develop and maintain college access programs and activities. EducationQuest awarded funds based on the schools' size.
These high schools will receive $25,000 a year for four years for a total distribution of $100,000 each:
Grand Island Senior High School
Lincoln North Star High School
Millard South High School
These schools will receive $15,000 a year for four years for a total distribution of $60,000 each:
Alliance High School
Aurora High School
Falls City High School
Hastings Senior High School
McCook High School
These schools will receive $5,000 a year for four years for a total distribution of $20,000 each:
Broken Bow High School
Gordon-Rushville High School
Madison High School
Meridian High School (Daykin)
Umonhon Nation High School (Macy)
Eric Drumheller, EducationQuest Director of Community Relations, said several factors have affected the college-going rate at the selected schools. “Some schools are in communities or counties with depressed economies, and many have a high population of low-income and immigrant students whose parents did not attend college,” he said. “For many rural schools, another factor is significant travel distance to the nearest college.”
The schools will use their grants to fund college access programs and activities such as college visits, financial aid sessions, scholarship searches, career exploration, ACT and SAT test preparation and completion of college applications. The grant program also promotes involvement from parents and the business community to help ensure success.
Drumheller explained that the recipient schools have set goals to increase their college-going rates by approximately 10 percent over the next four years. “With a mission to improve access to higher education in Nebraska, we’re pleased to help fund their success,” he said.
In 2008, EducationQuest will select up to 15 additional Nebraska high schools to receive College Access Grants.
EducationQuest Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization with a mission to improve access to higher education in Nebraska. Headquartered in Lincoln, EducationQuest provides free college planning services; funds need-based scholarship programs; provides grants that help high schools increase their college-going rate; and provides outreach services for statewide community agencies. For more information, call 800-303-3745 or visit www.educationquest.org.
