Delaware seeks more college application prep programs

The Delaware Department of Education has released a second round of grant money in an effort to help more high school seniors in the state apply to college.

A total of $300,000 in award money is being made available to public schools and districts interested in creating programs to help seniors and their families with the college application process.

Schools and districts “should design a program model targeting college-ready seniors to support them in the college application and transition process. The schools and districts may partner with community organizations to assist with providing supports to students and parents,” according to DOE.  

The programs must be implemented before next school year.

“We must help students apply for college, seek financial aid and enroll in school as well as provide the supports they need to ensure they make it to class in the fall,” Secretary of Education Mark Murphy said in a statement.

According to DOE, a recent state study showed 18 percent of Delaware students who demonstrated college readiness did not apply to college. The state’s goal is to have every college-ready senior apply to a higher education institution.

Earlier this year, Gov. Jack Markell, D-Del, announced a state partnership with the College Board to help more students make it to college. As part of the program, information packets were sent to low-income students who scored 1500 or above on the SAT college entrance exam. Students who qualified received up to eight application fee waivers.

Several schools and districts in the state have already taken advantage of the first round of grant money made available earlier this year. Six awards totaling more than $191,000 were announced last month.

The deadline for grant applications is Dec. 13. Awards will be announced by Dec. 20. Applications can be obtained by calling the Higher Education office at (302) 735-4120.