The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation announced Monday a $7 million College Access Challenge Grant to improve college awareness, readiness and attendance among low-income students in New York. HESC will distribute the grant funds to community groups and other institutions working directly with at-risk populations that are traditionally underserved.

HESC will administer the grant, which was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. HESC has administered New York’s CACG award for the past three years. Like previous federal grants, the funds will be distributed through a competitive process to schools, agencies and community based organizations across New York. Requests for Proposals for the new funds will be announced on www.hesc.com throughout the year as part of the competitive grant process.

“With this funding, HESC will take a comprehensive approach to improve college enrollment and completion among disadvantaged students through intervention strategies and activities,” said Acting President Elsa Magee.

Currently, regional services and activities provided through CACG sub-grantees include:

College readiness, academic skill building and tutoring programs.

Stay-in-school support programs for college students at risk for dropping out.

College admission application and Free Application for Federal Student Aid completion assistance.

Training for college advisers and counselors serving high-need, low-income and educationally at-risk students in the state.

Family workshops on college financing, completing FAFSA and applications.

Debt management and financial literacy workshops.

Extracurricular and summer residence opportunities.

In the 2010-11 academic year, CACG-funded programs served more than 47,000 New York State resident students and families.