Funding supports more than 80 AmeriCorps members serving as postsecondary education coaches in communities across Iowa
The Iowa Department of Education announced that it was awarded nearly $500,000 in competitive federal AmeriCorps funding through the Volunteer Iowa Commission. The grant will fund and expand Iowa's ‘Course to College’ statewide postsecondary education coaching program, which has supported high school and college students in accessing and succeeding in postsecondary education since 2017.
“Iowa’s AmeriCorps student leaders support their classmates, while summer transition associates ensure student needs are met year-round. Through Iowa’s innovative texting initiative, AmeriCorps postsecondary success coaches support Iowa learners anytime, anywhere,” said Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow. “This investment in our collective work to support students preparing for and pursuing multiple pathways will advance postsecondary readiness and success across Iowa.”
AmeriCorps is the federal national service and volunteerism agency. The grant supports more than 80 AmeriCorps members serving as student leaders and postsecondary success coaches, as well as Iowa high school counselors serving as summer transition associates over the summer months.
Through the Course to College program, selected high school seniors serve as AmeriCorps student leaders who support their peers' postsecondary aspirations. Additionally, college students and recent college graduates can serve as college coaches, providing in-person and virtual assistance to help students navigate the college application and financial aid processes.
“Being awarded this grant affirms the strong impact these programs have had in guiding Iowans toward the many postsecondary opportunities available to them,” said Bureau of Iowa College Aid Chief David Ford. “We’re excited to keep working in partnership with schools and communities across Iowa to support students’ every step in the postsecondary education process.”
The student leaders and postsecondary success coaches receive intensive training throughout the year as they help plan and execute career and college-ready events. Featured student events have included Application Day, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion events and Decision Day celebrations, which support students' decisions to enter into military service, Registered Apprenticeships, certificate programs or two- and four-year colleges and universities.
School counselors who serve as summer transition associates focus on helping students complete the FAFSA and ensure that students who have applied for and been accepted into college or other postsecondary programs successfully enroll, submit necessary information and attend at the start of the term.
Learn more about the program and how to get involved by visiting the College Access and Success AmeriCorps webpage.