Latest News from College Access Foundation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 12, 2007

COLLEGE ACCESS FOUNDATION OF CALIFORNIA ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $4 MILLION TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS FOR COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – December 12, 2007 – College Access Foundation of California has approved scholarship grants to 21 outstanding community-based organizations across the state that provide support, guidance and financial aid to students from low-college going populations.

College Access Foundation President Caroline O. Boitano announced that these grants, totaling $4,010,500, will fund scholarships and operating expenses for grantees that serve low-income and first-generation college-going populations in the Bay Area, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, San Diego, Los Angeles and Sacramento regions. More information about these organizations and there work is below and available at www.collegeaccessfoundation.org.

“Despite the large amount of public and private aid to students state- and nationwide, there remains a substantial gap in meeting the needs of low college-going populations, particularly Latino and African-American students,” said Boitano. “Our grantees understand those needs, and work to fill them so that these promising students can attend and succeed in college.”

Only 19 of 100 students entering the ninth grade currently go on to attain a college degree – and in some areas of California, the percentage is much lower. While college has become particularly important for personal economic success and the continued growth of the state’s economy, thousands of capable young people are still not pursuing higher education.

“Financial aid is a necessary but insufficient ingredient of college success,” added Jay Sherwin, Vice President for Programs. “Students need adequate financial resources to pay for college, but they also need a variety of skills and supports to succeed there. By awarding scholarship grants through community-based college advising programs, we offer financial support while our grantees provide the crucial training and encouragement students need to persist and graduate.”

About College Access Foundation of California

College Access Foundation of California, the largest grantmaking organization of its kind in the state, helps California students who have financial need attend college. The Foundation provides millions of dollars in grants to community-based organizations that are helping students prepare for and enter institutions of higher learning.

For more information on College Access Foundation and its grantees, visit www.collegeaccessfoundation.org or contact Kristen Stancik at 310.656.1001.

The following community-based organizations have been recently awarded funds by College Access Foundation of California:

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