Portland, OR, August 19, 2010– Through a federal education grant for college access, the State of Oregon will be hosting a booth at the Oregon State Fair this year to help Oregonians explore their college options in Oregon, and to provide guidance on how to get started. Funded by a $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education received by Oregon in 2008, and recently extended through 2011, the College Access Challenge Grant Program (CACGP) aims to increase the number of Oregonians who access and succeed in higher education, in either a community college or a 4-year college or university.
The “College is Possible” booth will be located in the Community Action Area, a new area devoted to non-profits, and will run for the first 5 days of the fair, August 27-31st. College advisors from the State of Oregon CACGP will offer a wealth of information for students, and outreach staff from Oregon community colleges, public universities, and private colleges will be available to showcase the opportunities on their campuses. Times and the location of the booth are listed below:
Location: Oregon State Fair, 2330 17th Street, NE Salem, OR 97301, Community Action Area,
Booth 1012, between the amphitheatre and the Jackman Long Building.
Dates and times: Friday, August 27-Tuesday August 31, 10am-11pm weekends, 10am-10pm weekdays.
The booth is just one component of the College Access Challenge Grant Program’s focus on getting more traditional age and adult learners – over the age of 25 – to either start or return to college to upgrade their skills and ensure greater education and employment opportunities. The organizers will encourage students to take advantage of free college counseling available through the Oregon’s toll-free Adult Learner College Line (1-877-848-4669). Oregonians can access the College Line Monday-Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. to get information on enrolling in a 2- or 4-year college or university in Oregon, how to get financial aid, transfer credits, or get specific information on programs for returning or first-time students, and other areas. The telephone resource line is supplemented by on-line help at www.OregonOpportunities.gov
The CACGP launched a “College is Possible” campaign in the spring of 2009, with two main activities being the Adult Learner College Line and website. Di Saunders, co-director for the CACGP, says “All of Oregon’s higher education sectors are working together through this grant to welcome Oregonians to pursue their career dreams or career changes. Many people don’t think college is possible for them, either because of their age, income or other reasons, and talking directly with a counselor on where to start makes a tremendous difference.”
Several agencies in Oregon are involved in developing and implementing the CACGP, including the Governor’s Office, the Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development, the Oregon Student Assistance Commission (OSAC), the Oregon University System, and the Oregon Independent Colleges Association. Individuals representing each of these constituencies serve in an advisory capacity, leading several key initiatives of the grant. For more information on the fair: www.oregonstate.fair.org; 1-800-833-0011 or 503-947-3247. For more information on the College Access Challenge Grant Program go to www.OregonOpportunities.gov or contact Joe Holliday at Joe_Holliday@ous.edu .
The College Access Challenge Grant Program (CACGP) is a formula grant program that is designed to foster partnerships among Federal, State and local government entities and philanthropic organizations to significantly increase the number of underrepresented students who enter and remain in postsecondary education. CACGP provides two-year grants to states to meet the needs of underrepresented students and families.
