A college education will become more affordable for dozens of Sacramento County high school students in 2007 thanks to a new, grant-funded scholarship program.
The California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP)—a project administered locally through the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE)—has received an $80,000 grant from The Education Financing Foundation of California (TEFFC) to provide college scholarships.
"This scholarship program will help widen the circle of educational opportunity for dozens of local young people," said Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools David W. Gordon. "This program is helping transform 'equal opportunity' from a theory to a reality."
"TEFFC is proud to support the Cal-SOAP's work in connecting Sacramento's bright and talented young people with educational resources they might not be able to access otherwise," said Caroline O. Boitano, TEFFC President.
The program will provide a total of 40 college scholarships ranging between $1,500 and $2,500 for students with financial needs who have been admitted to and plan to attend a four-year college or university, or a community college.
Scholarships are for students served by the Cal-SOAP program at the following schools:
- In the Sacramento City Unified School District: Luther Burbank High School, Rosemont High School, John F. Kennedy High School, and Sacramento Charter High School
- In the Grant Joint Union High School District: Foothill High School, Grant High School, Highlands High School, and Rio Linda High School
- In the Folsom Cordova Unified School District: Cordova High School
- Summerbridge Sacramento, a Sacramento Country Day School program
The program will fund four scholarships at each of the nine schools, plus Summerbridge Sacramento.
"This program provides an incentive for students to achieve in school and pursue higher education opportunities," said Monica Roberts, Director for Sacramento Cal-SOAP.
A scholarship committee consisting of members of the program staff and governing board will develop the application requirements and serve as the review committee. Applications will be distributed to eligible students and to school staff beginning in February 2007. The application submission deadline is April 2, 2007. The names of the scholarship recipients will be announced in late April, with a reception held in June 2007.
The Sacramento Cal-SOAP directly serves students in 50 middle schools and high schools throughout Sacramento County. The project provides tutoring services to students and delivers a college and financial aid advising program to approximately 5,300 students in nine high schools.
The Education Financing Foundation of California, the largest grant-making organization of its kind in the state, helps California students who have financial need attend college. TEFFC provides grants to community-based organizations that are helping students prepare for and enter institutions of higher learning.
For details, call Sacramento Cal-SOAP at (916) 228-2656.