Rep.
John Ward, DFL – Baxter, is encouraging area colleges and
community-based nonprofits to apply for individual grants up to
$300,000 in College Success Grants from Great Lakes Higher Education
Guaranty Corporation.

College students who develop a connection
with their peers, faculty, and staff are more likely to stay in college
until they graduate. Great Lakes’ College Success grants are intended
to support programs that connect students of similar backgrounds who
are attending two-year, four-year, or technical colleges-and are all
working toward the common goal of college completion. These grants will
help students develop those connections through specialized services
such as mentoring, proactive advising, development of learning
communities, and academic tutoring.

“If they work hard, every
Minnesota student should have the opportunity to go to college, further
their education, and get closer to their goals and the American Dream,
regardless of their family income,” said Rep. Ward. “I encourage
Central Lakes College and other area non-profits to take advantage of
their grants to help students, and I thank Great Lakes for making these
available. Increasing opportunity for our young people will help our
communities and our economy in the future.”

Colleges and
community-based organizations located in Iowa, Minnesota, or Wisconsin
are eligible to apply for individual grants of up to $300,000 each for
the 2013-2014 academic year. Applications can be found at
mygreatlakes.org/community
<https://www.mygreatlakes.org/web/community/content/community/grants/collegeSuccess.html
and are due March 14.