Alamo Colleges Awarded $50,000 Grant to Prepare Local GED Graduates for College Success

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has awarded a $50,000 grant to the Alamo Colleges to prepare recent GED graduates for college success. Alamo Colleges will operate the program in partnership with Project QUEST. This intensive summer program, called QUEST Prep, will provide students with reading and math preparation, as well as, college success strategies.

A comprehensive, service-oriented strategy will addresses academic, learning, and supportive needs of students. Comprehensive assessment will determine both academic levels and affective barriers that may impact program persistence and learning.  Vision, Initiative, and Perseverance (VIP) meetings facilitated by Project QUEST will provide students with a forum to address learning needs and identify challenges and barriers to college success. The onsite Project QUEST case manager will support individual student needs and provide access to support services. The Alamo Colleges Westside Education and Training Center advisor will provide students with continued assistance and guidance toward college success into the fall 2009 semester.

“This program is part of our continuing efforts to make it possible for more students to enroll and succeed at the Alamo Colleges,” said Dr. Federico Zaragoza, Alamo Colleges vice chancellor for economic and workforce development. “All students who have a GED are eligible to enroll in the Alamo Colleges, and this innovative program will equip the students enrolled in it with the information and skills they need to enable them to stay in college and complete a degree plan,” he added.

The program will target 50 students who have earned their GED in the last 24 months. They will be provided with intensive math and reading remediation and college-going success workshops. The program will also include assessment and advising services and will provide the students with information on apply for financial aid to help them attend college once they complete the QUEST Prep program. Classes will take place at the Alamo Colleges Westside Education and Training Center.

At the Alamo Colleges, high quality education and low costs provide exceptional value to students and alumni who are major contributors to the economy and culture of our community.  For more information, visit our website at www.alamo.edu.