Evergreen Featured in 2011 College Access & Opportunity Guide
College guidebook uniquely targets low-income, first-generation college-bound students
For Immediate Release
Young people in all socioeconomic groups have college aspirations. In fact, eight out of 10 expect to attain a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the U.S. Department of Education. But despite these aspirations, low-income students and those who are the first in their families to pursue higher education are severely underrepresented on college campuses.
According to the College Board, high-achieving students from low-income families have about the same chance of enrolling in college as low-achieving students from wealthier families. And even worse, those who do make it to college are not finding supportive college environments or graduating. A recent USA Today article notes that 89 percent of low-income, first-generation students leave college within six years without a degree.
The Evergreen State College is working to change this trend and has been recognized in Center for Student Opportunity's 2011 College Access & Opportunity Guide, a comprehensive college guidebook designed to help low-income, first-generation college-bound students make their college dreams a reality.
According to data provided by Evergreen's Institutional Research and Assessment Office , 27 percent of students were first generation in Fall 2009, with a rising proportion of students since 2007. Evergreen defines "first generation" as students for whom none of their parents earned a four-year college degree or higher. In Fall 2009, 36.7 percent of students were low income (defined as ≤150% federal poverty level).
Published by Sourcebooks, a leader in college guides and study aids, the 2011 College Access & Opportunity is significant breakthrough in providing students and their supporters with the necessary information to pursue and succeed in college.
The Guide features
- 284 colleges and universities highlighted for their outreach efforts, financial aid opportunities and student support services
- A 4 step plan to college developed by partners, KnowHow2GO
- Articles and advice from college students and other experts
- Valuable information for parents and mentors, including a new Spanish-language section
"We want to show students and their supporters that the opportunity for college is there," said Matt Rubinoff, Executive Director of Center for Student Opportunity. "The 2011 College Access & Opportunity Guide is a special resource that provides guidance through the college process and delivers important information on college programs aimed to serve low-income, first-generation college students."
About The Evergreen State College
The Evergreen State College is a nationally recognized public liberal arts college known for its distinctive interdisciplinary curriculum, high level of student/faculty engagement and emphasis on putting learning into action.
About Center for Student Opportunity
Center for Student Opportunity (CSO) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting higher education opportunities for first-generation and other historically underserved college-bound students. CSO programs serve colleges and universities, counselors, and community-based organizations in support of their college access goals. More information about CSO is available at www.CSOpportunity.org.
Contact for the Center for Student Opportunity:
Matt Rubinoff; (949) 481-0073; mrubinoff@csopportnity.org
Contact for Sourcebooks, Inc. Publisher of College Access & Opportunity Guide:
Carrie Gellin, Sourcebooks, Inc., (630) 961-3900 ext 258; carrie.gellin@sourcebooks.com
Contacts for The Evergreen State College:
Jason Wettstein (360) 867-5213; wettstej@evergreen.edu;
or Todd Sprague (360) 867-6042; spraguet@evergreen.edu