Texas Pioneer Foundation grant expands College Bound initiatives

Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
June 11, 2010

Thanks to a grant from the Texas Pioneer Foundation, the Center for P-16 Initiatives at Texas State University-San Marcos will expand the “College Bound” initiatives for the San Marcos, Lehman and Seguin school districts.

The Center for P-16 Initiatives, along with the Seeking Opportunities Achieving Results (SOAR) partnership received the $55,000 grant to expand and continue delivering pre-college access activities for students at San Marcos, Seguin and Lehman schools.

"Over the last year, the College Access Project (CAP), with the help of our G-Force mentors, has helped to increase college-going rates by educating high school students, parents and the community at large on the college access process," said Liz Castaneda, grant coordinator for the center. "This funding will allow us to continue the outreach efforts we have begun and bring us closer to our goal of eliminating barriers to higher education for students in the greater San Marcos community."

Since 2008, the College Access Program (CAP) funded by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has provided pre-college activities designed to increase college-going rates. The CAP works to boost the number of college-bound students by increasing the number of students submitting Texas Common Applications for college enrollment, Free Applications for Federal Student Financial Aid and improving access to pre-college activities and information to families.

In addition, the grant will provide intensive services to current and upcoming seniors. The seniors selected for intensive services will consist of high school students who will be the first in their family to go to college and who come from low economic backgrounds.

The “College Bound,” initiative evolved from center efforts that brought many diverse partnerships together to develop what is known as SOAR. SOAR’s Educational Partners consist of members representing Texas State, the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce, San Marcos CISD, the City of San Marcos, San Marcos Hispanic Chamber, Austin Community College, San Marcos Education Foundation and United Way of Hays County.

For more information on the Center for P-16 Initiatives, contact Michelle Pope at (512) 245-9336.