College for Every Student Invites Applications for Closing the Gap Awards

College for Every Student (CFES) is currently accepting applications from low-income middle and high schools for its Closing the Gap Awards. CFES is a global leader at helping underserved students get to and through college, and ready to enter the 21st century workforce. CFES currently supports 20,000 students through partnerships with 200 rural and urban K-12 schools and districts in 27 states and Ireland.

CFES awards grants annually to implement programs that help prepare low-income students for college and a career. This year CFES will award funds to fully support two schools for three years. Three additional schools will receive grants covering half of their program costs (i.e., $12,500 a year for three years); schools in this category will be asked to find matching support from other sources. CFES uses three core practices – Mentoring, Leadership Through Service, and Pathways to College—to provide a frameowork for schools to help underserved youth get to and through college, ready to enter the workforce.

Expectations of CFES Schools:

• Develop a CFES school and community-based team composed of teachers, faculty and staff, students, parents, and/or community members.
• Appoint a CFES Liaison who serves as the main point of contact with the CFES central office and your CFES program director.
• Provide CFES professionals access to your CFES Scholars so they can conduct leadership workshops, peer mentor trainings, development of The Essential Skills, etc.
• Complete CFES Plan, Mid-Year and End-of-Year Assessments.
• Brand College For Every Student within your school/ community.
• Track and evaluate program impact for a subset of 100 students.
• Engage your students schoolwide in the three core practices: Mentoring, Leadership Through Service, and Pathways to College.

Eligible applicants include middle or high schools in the United States in which at least 50 percent of the student population comes from low-income households. See the website for more information and to apply.