CLC to host high school-to-college transition program

Up to 30 high school students graduating in 2010 will be accepted into a college transition program at Central Lakes College during the summer term on the Brainerd campus.

The purpose of the summer transition program is to earn college credit while developing the skills and abilities necessary for the student to be ready for college-level course work. This program also is designed to enhance independent living skills and transition to college life.

Qualifying students receive free tuition, fees, books, housing and basic living expenses due to grant funding from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and authorized in legislation signed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Student eligibility guidelines include citizenship or qualifying residency, 18 years of age, graduating in 2010, grade point average of 2.5 or less, low-income, first generation (where none of the parents have a four-year degree) and ethnic and gender diversity is encouraged.

The program emphasizes peer counseling or mentoring, college entrance preparation and assistance with financial aid applications, career exploration, academic tutoring and counseling, exposure to college faculty, staff and facilities, courses in college study and time management, college living and community involvement.

Officials would like at least 12 of the participants to be students of color.

"The students will live in town, and if need be we'll help them find housing," Steve Jennissen, one of the college counselors overseeing the program, said in an e-mail news release.

"They will attend classes and activities from Monday through Friday, and possibly some Saturdays," Sarah Rach-Sovich, the other CLC counselor coordinating the program, said in the news release.

Applications are available from either Jennissen at (218) 894-5177 or at sjennissen@clcmn.edu, or from Rach-Sovich at 855-8013 or srachsovich@clcmn.edu. The deadline to apply is May 7.

Application review and program acceptance will take place on a first-come, first-served basis, so early application is encouraged.