Grant Description

Bridges Project for Education offers college access programs that support first-generation, low-income, minority and nontraditional students of all ages to access and complete postsecondary education.

Tracking Metric

Description
Since 1997, the heart of Bridges' postsecondary access programs has been free, one-on-one admissions and financial aid counseling. We've helped 3,000+ individuals work through applications and scholarships; and access financial aid to incur minimal debt. We strive to transform this complex process into achievable steps and reduce the intimidation that those new to this process often feel. We support high school counselors who have client loads of 400+. College Connections, our early awareness curriculum, teaches students career and postsecondary educational pathways, with strategies to achieve these in 8-12th grade. Our alumni support program combats low program completion rates in NM. We connect with Bridges alumni at pivotal points and support them as they're current college students, increasing their chance of graduating. Bridges primarily serves first-generation to college, low-income, minority and nontraditional students, like GED grads and older degree-seekers. Historic institutional injustices and a lack of knowledge about admissions and financial aid creates barriers for these underrepresented students, who are 66% less likely to obtain college degrees or vocational certifications than equally-qualified peers. Higher education disparities increase socioeconomic marginalization. Education is the most effective way out of poverty and degree completion - trade, two and four-year - benefits people with better health, income and civic engagement.

Goal
125