Free Program For 5th Grade Woonsocket Students Seeking Applicants

The College Crusade of Rhode Island announced that it is now accepting applications for admission to its program for 2011. The organization has 500 open spots in their college readiness program for 5th grade students in public schools who reside in Central Falls, Pawtucket, Providence, or Woonsocket.
 
“Woonsocket families should know that The College Crusade of Rhode Island offers students a tremendous opportunity to get started on the path to college and to receive a scholarship,” said Todd D. Flaherty, President & CEO of The College Crusade.

The College Crusade is the state’s most comprehensive college-readiness and scholarship program for middle school and high school students in low-income urban school districts. From grade 6 through grade 12, students admitted to the program are mentored by caring advisors and participate in dozens of specially designed free programs that help them succeed in school and prepare for higher education.

"We have advisory staff in the Woonsocket High School and the middle schools that checks in with students on a daily basis," said Karen Donovan
Marketing and Communications Officer for the organization. They can also qualify for up to four years of College Crusade scholarships after they graduate.
 
The nonprofit organization has been helping students from low income school districts for 20 years and is funded by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s GEAR UP program, by the State of Rhode Island, and by private corporations, foundations, and individuals. It serves approximately 3,500 students per year and rewards their efforts and achievements with up to four years of college scholarships. They have awarded over $22 million in college scholarships to more than 2,800 graduates from Rhode Island high schools since 2001.

“We are looking for Woonsocket fifth graders who are eligible for free or reduced lunch and who want to dedicate themselves to doing well in school. Our program offers academic support services and helps young people learn the important personal and social skills they need to be ready for college. We also help them begin to think about the careers they may wish to pursue after graduating from college," said Flaherty.

To apply for admission to The College Crusade of Rhode Island, students must currently be in 5th grade and must attend 6th grade at a public school or public charter school in fall 2011, be eligible for free or reduced lunch, and be willing to work hard in school and to prepare for higher education
 
To learn more about the program and to request an application for admission, families of 5th graders should call The College Crusade’s Admissions office at (401) 854-5500 ext 149. Admissions information sessions for parents start this month at the College Crusade office, 134 Thurbers Avenue, Suite 111, Providence, R.I. 02905.

The scheduled sessions are:
January 26           5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
February 9          11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
February 16        5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
February 23        5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
March 2                5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
March 16             11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.   
March 23             5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
March 30             11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
April 6                   5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
April 13                 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

April 20                 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
April 27                 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
May 4                    5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
May 11                 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
 
For more information, visit www.thecollegecrusade.org/admissions.