LCCC selected in 2016 for U.S. Dept. of Education New "Second Chance" Pell Pilot Program

Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) is one of 67 colleges and universities nationwide chosen to participate in a pilot program that will offer Pell Grants to incarcerated students. The program, called Second Chance Pell, will enroll 12,000 prisoners at more than 100 correctional institutions across the country.

LCCC is one of four colleges or universities in Pennsylvania who will participate in the pilot program. LCCC will partner with State Correctional Institution Frackville and Mahanoy, both in Schuylkill County, to serve up to 30 inmates in the first year. Through this program, LCCC and other institutions may provide federal Pell Grants to qualified students who are incarcerated and likely to be released within five years of enrolling.

The U.S. Department of Education made the announcement on June 24. The Second Chance Pell is a pilot program that will help determine whether incarcerated individuals continue to pursue higher education when they have access to financial aid. The program will allow eligible incarcerated individuals to receive Pell Grants as they pursue a college education. The ultimate goal is to help these individuals get jobs and support their families after they are released from the prison system.

For more information on LCCC’s program, contact Larissa Verta at 610-799-1877.

For details on the program, go to the U.S. Department of Education at http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/12000-incarcerated-students-enroll-postsecondary-educational-and-training-programs-through-education-departments-new-second-chance-pell-pilot-program.