We are pleased to announce that our Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) recently awarded College Visit Mini Grants to local organizations. The YAC received a number of proposals to provide low-income, first-generation students in grades 6-12 in the Holland/Zeeland area with the opportunity to visit post-secondary education institutions in person so they could begin to visualize where they can continue their education after high school, and to develop long term education goals that connect them with the work they are doing right now in high school. In total, $2,400 was awarded to four organizations.

Escape Ministries

Amount awarded: $750
Purpose: To bring 10-12 students in grades 10-12 to visit Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids Community College, Careerline Tech Center, and Hope College. Escape will also invite parents and guardians to Escape Ministries to discuss financial planning, where to access funding for loans/grants, how to utilize their school counselors, etc.

Hope College TRIO Upward Bound

Amount awarded: $750
Purpose: To bring 85 Upward Bound students in grades 9-12 on a visit to Ferris State University. The financial aid session will occur at FSU during the visit and will be exclusive to the 85 Hope College Upward Bound students, their parents/guardians, and the Upward Bound staff.

Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP)

Amount awarded: $500
Purpose: To bring 25 students in grades 9-12 to visit Michigan State University and Lansing Community College. Brief financial aid information will be included. Students have also already gone through a College 101 presentation, hosted by LAUP, that shared some basic information about financial aid and scholarships for college.

West Ottawa High School

Amount awarded: $400
Purpose: To bring 30 students, many of whom are in 12th grade, to visit Ferris State University. All 30 students will be attending an informative presentation about Ferris State, their financial aid programs, scholarships, and more during the campus visit.