Posted on February 10, 2012

American Association of Community Colleges Announces New Initiative for Low-Income Students

The American Association of Community Colleges has announced the launch of a three-year, $4.84 million initiative designed to help low-income students succeed by increasing access to public benefits and services at their colleges.

Led by the Center for Law and Social Policy and AACC, with funding from the Ford, Kresge, Lumina, Annie E. Casey, and Open Society foundations, the Benefits Access for College Completion initiative will be piloted at six community colleges. By integrating access to federal and state supports into college operations, working directly with local and state benefit administrators, and aligning services, the BAAC team hopes the participating schools will help students complete college faster and become economically self-sufficient.

The participating schools are Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Gateway Community and Technical College and Owensboro Community and Technical College in Kentucky, LaGuardia Community College in New York, Northampton Community College in Pennsylvania, and Skyline College in California. In addition, two schools in Michigan — Macomb Community College and Lake Michigan College — will share perspectives from similar work.

"We are committed to student completion and appreciate the major investment these foundations are making," said AACC president Walter G. Bumphus. "Their collaborative vision will help community colleges identify the best ways for students to access the benefits and services they need to finish what they start."