HESC Colleague NewsletterSpring 2009  

HESC Leads New Drive for College Access

Kenneth Storms

Last year, Governor Paterson named HESC as New York's lead agency for the new, 2-year federal College Access Challenge Grant (CACG) program. HESC is using this opportunity to expand our information services for students and families and our training and support services for counseling professionals. We are also extending our working relationships with schools, colleges, community organizations, and state associations, such as NYSFAAA, to encourage them to create imaginative college access programs that will support those students with the greatest need.


In February, HESC awarded CACG sub-grants, totaling $1.4 million, to 30 different organizations across the state. These sub-grants will help an estimated 11,000 of the highest-need secondary school students and the counseling and financial aid professionals that serve them. The sub-grantees will produce innovative programs to help at-risk students and families in planning, preparing, and successfully applying for college admission and financial aid.

HESC has recently released the RFP for up to eight larger sub-grants, totaling $3.2 million, that will encourage partnerships among high schools, colleges, and community organizations to reach even more underserved students and their families.

Starting this fall, HESC will be using CACG funding to create the largest, most complete professional development training program of any state for counselors who serve at-risk students. This statewide series of one-day conferences will provide training to an estimated 2,500 professional counselors from schools, colleges, community organizations and other institutions that serve traditionally at-risk and underserved populations.

HESC looks forward to working with NYSFAAA, the professional counseling associations, the higher education community, and other organizations dedicated to advancing college access and success, as we continue to develop the College Access Challenge Grant program.

Learn more by visiting College Access Challenge Grant.