A Matching Grant for GEAR UP! Michigan Promotes College Access

Madison, Wis. - EduGuide: Partnership for Learning will expand their student services for more than 13,000 low-income and underrepresented Michigan students through a $50,000 grant from Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation. The matching grant supports EduGuide's role in the GEAR UP! Michigan initiative, a six-year statewide collaboration announced by Governor Jennifer Granholm.

The students served by GEAR UP! Michigan face an uphill struggle as they try to obtain a college degree. The 13,000 students attend 79 target schools, all of which have high poverty rates. On average, more than 75 percent of the students qualify for free or reduced lunch. Among these low-income households, two out of three students say they have no idea how to pay for college. The challenge for these students is twofold - first, they must adequately prepare for college; second, they must be able to pay for college.

The $50,000 grant will help EduGuide fund:

• Ten annual academic preparation training programs for students in grades eight to 12, their families, teachers, and student advocates.
• A coaching community that will assess, inspire, and equip students with the necessary skills to take critical steps toward their education goals. Personalized assessments and social networking features, such as text messages, voicemails, and podcasts, will help the students meet their education goals.
• More than 400,000 award-winning EduGuides in elementary, middle school, and high school editions that will be distributed to students and families.

"The economic challenges faced by many Michigan residents make access to higher education even more vital," said Richard D. George, President and Chief Executive Officer of Great Lakes. "Great Lakes is pleased to support EduGuide's efforts to provide more opportunities for low-income and underrepresented students to make their higher education dreams a reality."

For more information on EduGuide: Partnership for Learning, please contact Ron Wilson, Director of Development, at 517-374-4083. For more information about Great Lakes' outreach initiatives, please contact Amy Kerwin at 608-246-1785.

About EduGuide: Partnership for Learning EduGuide: Partnership for Learning is a growing network of parents, teens, and educators who work together from cradle through college to give each and every student a personalized roadmap to success. At its hub is a small non-profit team of regular people and real experts who are passionate about the cause of connecting people with their potential. For more information, visit eduguide.org.

About Great Lakes
Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation and Affiliates works with schools, lenders, and community organizations to change lives for the better through higher education. Great Lakes supports these partners with financial, educational, and operational resources that help students and families pay for college and build bright futures. As a leading guarantor, originator, and servicer of student loans for over forty years, Great Lakes serves more than 2,700 schools and 1,400 lenders across the nation. One of the nation's largest integrated providers of student loan services, Great Lakes services student loans for more than two million borrowers and holds guarantees on more than $43 billion in FFELP loans. Great Lakes serves as the designated guarantor for Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands under the Higher Education Act. Great Lakes is headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, with operating centers in Ohio, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. For additional information, visit mygreatlakes.org.

Posted 03/17/08 to www.NASFAA.org. Posting of press releases is done as a service to Members and does not imply endorsement or support by NASFAA. NASFAA does not review this information for content or accuracy.