{"id":1482,"date":"2014-11-05T09:42:25","date_gmt":"2014-11-05T14:42:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/msde\/?p=1482"},"modified":"2015-12-15T09:45:10","modified_gmt":"2015-12-15T14:45:10","slug":"campaign-targets-increase-in-maryland-college-graduates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/msde\/campaign-targets-increase-in-maryland-college-graduates\/","title":{"rendered":"Campaign Targets Increase In Maryland College Graduates"},"content":{"rendered":"

Maryland College Application Campaign Will Help Students And Families Realize College Dream<\/em><\/h3>\n

For Immediate Release<\/p>\n

Contact: William Reinhard, MSDE, 410.767.0486, Phyllis Reese, MHEC, 410-767-7589<\/p>\n

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) have teamed up with the American Council on Education (ACE) to create the first Maryland College Application Campaign (MCAC)<\/a> \u00a0to increase the number of students applying and gaining acceptance to college.<\/p>\n

MCAC will take place November 10-14, with 21 high schools in seven participating school systems.\u00a0 ACE spearheads the national effort to help students and their families navigate the college application process, increasing the number of students applying to college early in their senior year\u2014particularly from those who would be the first members of their families to pursue higher education.<\/p>\n

Governor Martin O\u2019Malley is committed to increasing the number of Maryland high school graduates applying for and gaining entrance into college.\u00a0 The new campaign builds on a pilot effort in six Prince George\u2019s high schools last year.<\/p>\n

\u201cMore Maryland students can realize the dream of a higher education thanks to this coordinated effort to simplify the application process for prospective students and their families,\u201d said State Superintendent of Schools Lillian M. Lowery.\u00a0 \u201cOur goal is to remove some of the mystery from the process and set students on the path to completing their education and career goals.\u201d<\/p>\n

MHEC awarded funding to MSDE through the U.S. Department of Education\u2019s College Access Challenge Grant in support of this college access initiative.<\/p>\n

\u201cMHEC enthusiastically supports the collaborative nature of the Maryland College Application Campaign as an enhancement of the State\u2019s ongoing college awareness efforts,\u201d said Catherine Shultz, Acting Secretary of Higher Education.\u00a0 \u201cThis statewide pilot will help high school students navigate the college admissions process and broaden the circulation of information critical to college-bound students.\u201d<\/p>\n

High schools in Baltimore City, Cecil, Dorchester, Prince George\u2019s, Somerset, Washington, and Wicomico counties are taking part.\u00a0 Maryland is implementing a comprehensive and supportive program to assist students in participating schools with the postsecondary application process.<\/p>\n

During MCAC Week in November, students in the designated schools are given the opportunity to apply to any Maryland community college, independent college, or public four-year college or university.\u00a0 The initiative includes working with staff from Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR-UP) and school counselors to prepare students for the process.\u00a0 It also establishes a formal partnership with College Goal Maryland (CGMD) to assist with completing financial aid applications.<\/p>\n

Starting in January 2015 and continuing through March, CGMD staff and volunteers will provide guided assistance in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).\u00a0 In addition, professionals working with CGMD will be available to explain admission processes, and talk with parents, guardians, and students about financial aid resources, applying for financial assistance, and how to access information regarding statewide student services.\u00a0 In April, CGMD will provide \u201cUnderstanding Your Award Letter\u201d sessions across the State to further remove barriers to college access.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe hope our collaboration with MCAC will increase the number of college graduates in Maryland while improving financial literacy among our first generation, low income, and adult learners,\u201d said Sharon Hassan, Executive Director of College Goal Maryland.<\/p>\n

The MCAC process culminates with participating high schools holding College Decision Day events in May.\u00a0 Maryland plans to expand this initiative Statewide in the future.<\/p>\n

Schools selected by their systems to participate are:<\/p>\n