PASCO, Wash. – A partnership of community stakeholders known as Elevate was awarded a three-year multi-million dollar Horizons Regional Grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, according to a press release from Educational Service District 123.
ESD 123 is one of seven southeast Washington entities to be a part of Elevate.
The grant’s funds will be used to improve the currently low rate of students enrolling in post-secondary education in the state.
“Some students are concerned about affordability and the time to get a degree,” said Elevate Director of Policy Amanda Mount. “Others may perceive getting a credential won’t help their earnings in the long run. Few Washington students complete the Federal Financial Aid Form (FAFSA). These grant dollars will help expand more staff at high schools to help with postsecondary planning.”
Other Elevate entities include:
United Way of the Blue MountainsWalla Walla Valley Chamber of CommerceCommunities in Schools of the Blue Mountain RegionPort of ColumbiaCollege Place, Dayton, Prescott and Walla Walla School DistrictsWalla Walla Community College and Whitman College
More information on the grant can be found online.
