MVUSD, BLU Education Foundation Partner to Get Kids in College

The Moreno Valley Unified School District (MVUSD) has recently partnered with BLU Education Foundation in a $143,000 grant opportunity aimed at getting more kids into post-secondary learning institutions. The one year grant, an expanding financial aide initiative, will provide services to 12th grade students in the school district from November 2013 through June 2014, and is expected to provide 10 new scholarships that amount to $5,000. After the student has completed four years of higher education, the scholarships are renewable, if funding is available. Services are aimed at making it simpler for students to apply to college or post-secondary learning institutions following high school, explained BLU Educational Foundation President/CEO Dina Walker. In a statement issued by the school district, BLU Education Foundation is partnering with four comprehensive high schools to: • Integrate data tracking and awareness for FAFSA and Cal grant applications, completions and awards. • Institute a follow-up FAFSA check point within the student’s senior year. • Provide students/families one-on-one FAFSA assistance and training. • Train school personnel and newly implemented student leaders to build FAFSA capacity and expertise onsite. • Advise students and their families to transition from high school and enroll in a post-secondary institution. Walker explained that "assistance with completing the federal and state financial aid applications — Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), Cal Grant and Dream Act applications" will be provided to students during these months. "College application assistance may also be provided," said Walker, but "most importantly, follow-up assistance will be provided after the applications have been submitted." The expanding financial aid initiative means that no one will be turned away from access to financial aid, explained Walker, "regardless of their grades, graduation status or 'college bound' destination. The initiative ensures that all 12th grade students will apply for financial aid so that it is available in case they decide, even at a later date, to attend any type of post-secondary education institution." It's not different from other financial aid options, she explained, but rather it "puts practices in place so that all students will have the opportunity to receive some type of financial aid for the post-high school college/career plans" they have. To be chosen to receive a scholarship, students must first apply for financial aid and have been accepted into an approved post-secondary institution. Scholarships are need-based and most students will be from low- to moderate income levels. Scholarship recipients will primarily be chosen by their overall participation in the initiative on campus as well as BLU Educational Foundation's college priority initiatives.