Sacramento State to Receive Additional Grants for Education Programs
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Friday, July 24, 2009
CONTACT: Mara Lee
(202) 225-7163
Sacramento State to Receive Additional Grants for Education Programs
Rep. Matsui Announces $422,000 to Benefit Migrant Workers Earning a College Degree
Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-05) today announced that California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) will receive a grant of over $422,000 for their College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP). CAMP provides financial assistance to migrant workers and their children attending Sacramento State, and specifically benefits those who would otherwise have no means of affording a college education. In addition to supportive services, participants are given grants towards the cost of their education, opening up many opportunities for them both educationally and vocationally.
"I am proud to announce that federal dollars will allow the hard work of students and faculty at Sacramento State University to continue," said Representative Matsui. "CAMP is a model program, recognized as one of the best in its kind by the Department of Education. The program recruits students in our local high schools and offers them opportunities for their future they otherwise would not have. By providing federal funds to Sacramento State to support these efforts, we are not only providing these students with an education, but the services they need to place them on the best path towards a fulfilling career path."
California is the state with the highest migrant worker population in the nation. Despite the challenges of serving a constantly mobile student body, CAMP reports that 90% of their participants finish their first year of college, with 90% of those students continuing their studies, making CAMP participants more likely to remain in school than the average student. Since their creation in 1981, CAMP has helped about 1,500 students attain their goals. The program at CSUS maximizes its capacity each year at 80 students, and benefits the surrounding community by molding an educated, motivated workforce through providing an opportunity to attain a college education.
"CAMP is a leader in program innovation and achievement and is a stellar support program at Sacramento State, as noted by a first year retention rate in the 90th percentile," said Dr. Marcellene L. Watson-Derbigny, Assistant Vice President, Student Academic Success for Sacramento State. "Given its high quality and notable success, students in the program will greatly benefit from the federal grant award through the continued counseling, advising, tutoring, and academic support programming they will receive from helpful staff. Such support enables them to achieve their dream of a higher education."
"The CAMP program at Sacramento State is excited to continue it's nearly 30 year history at Sacramento State University," said Viridiana Diaz, Director, CAMP. "Migrant students, the sons and daughters of migrant and seasonal farm workers are one of the most underrepresented minorities in higher education. We are very fortunate to continue the legacy of helping migrant students get into college and through their first year of studies."
Today's announcement is in addition to the $451,000 announced by Rep. Matsui last week for Sacramento State's Bilingual and Multicultural Education Department's High School Equivalency Program (HEP), which helps many migrant and seasonal workers to attain a GED.
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