AT&T Award to Help Low-Income High School Students Obtain College Credit Through CSN Jumpstart Program
A new kind of scholarship for Southern Nevada high school students taking community college courses at their schools was unveiled today.
The College of Southern Nevada and the AT&T were at Las Vegas Academy this morning to showcase a first-of-its kind scholarship for low-income high school students enrolled in CSN Jumpstart concurrent-enrollment courses.
The AT&T Aspire Foundation awarded $10,000 to CSN this summer to help 135 low-income high school students obtain college credit. The student recipients are taking a total of 476 college credits this semester through CSN’s Jumpstart program at their high schools.
“Recent education policy research has shown that students who take dual enrollment courses are more likely to graduate high school and complete college. In fact, Nevada lawmakers passed historic legislation this spring to help promote access to these types of courses statewide,” said AT&T Director of External Affairs Sandra Douglass Morgan, who presented the check to CSN officials at Las Vegas Academy. “AT&T recognizes the importance of CSN’s Jumpstart Program and the difference this opportunity can make in these students’ lives.”
A half dozen Las Vegas Academy scholarship recipients took part in the check presentation today, along with their principal Scott Walker, where they expressed their support for the program. CSN Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Margo Martin officially accepted the check on behalf of CSN along with Associate Vice President James McCoy, Assistant Director of Jumpstart Nora Mirabal, External Affairs Director Michael Flores and CSN Foundation Executive Director Dr. K.C. Brekken.
The CSN Jumpstart Program, which began in 2007, works with high school instructors to provide college courses at the high school campus, allowing juniors and seniors to obtain high school and college credit. CCSD instructors with collegiate-level credentials are certified through the program to teach CSN curricula so high school students are receiving the same course they would at a CSN campus. A typical three-credit CSN Jumpstart class costs students’ families $69.50 to enroll.
“Although the price is far lower than a similar course at CSN, it is still a large obstacle for many low-income families,” said James McCoy, CSN associate vice president of academic affairs. “AT&T’s generous support has created an exciting opportunity to remove a significant barrier for many of our valley’s students.”
To award the scholarships, CSN worked with CCSD officials at the 22 high schools where CSN Jumpstart courses are offered. Officials urged students, who had to be high school juniors or seniors and eligible for free or reduced lunch programs, to apply. The scholarships were then awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and limited to funding one course per applicant. The 135 recipients are take a variety of 3-, 4- or 5-credit courses in an array of subjects from English 101 to manufacturing.
