(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - Ketchikan 5th and 6th graders from Tongass School of Arts & Sciences and Ketchikan Charter School are busy gearing up for their May 10th visit to the UAS Ketchikan campus. The “I’m Going to College” program is their chance to learn how they can become college students – and to see first-hand what it will be like. The program inspires students, including those who may not have college-going role models, to recognize that education and training after high school is important and attainable.

This national program is made possible in Alaska through a partnership between the Northwest Education Loan Association (NELA) and the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) AlaskAdvantage Programs. It enables children to participate in a variety of exercises and activities. This includes a full-day event at a nearby college campus, sponsored with support from the host institution.

The participating students learn in their classroom about the benefits of a college education, college costs and financial aid, and the entire college process. The children learn how to prepare for college academically and how their interests can align with different career paths. On the day of the event, the students will be welcomed by university leadership, take a tour of the campus, and have lunch on campus. College faculty will present special age-appropriate classes with a hands-on focus.

At the end of the day, students will assemble to receive a special certificate of completion for their day at college, along with a college preparation kit: a backpack full of supplies and information. Several local businesses have generously contributed supplies for the backpacks, including Alaska Pacific Bank, KPU Telephone, Subway, Tongass Federal Credit Union and Walmart.

Alaska’s I’m Going to College program began in 2004 with students from six schools visiting three college campuses  This year the program has grown to reach more than 2,300 5th and 6th graders from 30 schools who will be visiting 13 college campuses across the state.

Source of News: 

University of Alaska Southeast Ketchikan

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