FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2015
October is “College Application Month” in Kansas
(Topeka, Kansas) - Governor Sam Brownback has signed a proclamation declaring October "College Application Month" and encouraged all high school seniors to take advantage of the assistance provided.
Across the nation, there is a significant gap between students who want to attend college and those who apply: 97 percent of high school students surveyed indicate they wanted to go to college, but only 68 percent of 2014 high school graduates were enrolled. Among low-income students the gap is even wider: though college-going rates for low-income students have doubled in recent decades, only half enroll in postsecondary education directly after high school.
"It is vital to the Kansas economy to increase the number of Kansans who have earned a certificate, associate or bachelor’s degree, and the first step in that process is applying to college," stated Regent Helen Van Etten, Chair of the Kansas Board of Regents Academic Affairs Standing Committee. "This initiative will help more Kansas students realize the dream of attending college and set them on the path toward completing their educational goals as well as their career goals."
Launched as part of the American College Application Campaign initiative, "Apply Kansas" seeks to increase the number of students who apply to college early in their senior year, with a focus on students from low-income families, first-generation students, and students who may not otherwise apply to college.
This is the first year of "Apply Kansas: College Application Month" activities, which will include events scheduled throughout the month of October. Taking place during the school day, students will receive application assistance with the goal of each participating student submitting at least one college application. Students may apply to any college of their choice, including all the public universities, community colleges and technical colleges in the state, as well as all 18 independent colleges in Kansas.
“Apply Kansas” events are coordinated by each participating high school and will utilize trained volunteers and school staff to offer support, including helping students gather information necessary to complete an application, reviewing admission standards with students before applying to their college of choice, and completing application fee waiver forms, if needed.
October events are currently scheduled at the following high schools:
• Wyandotte High School (USD 500)
• JC Harmon High School (USD 500)
• FL Schlagle High School (USD 500)
• Washington High School (USD 500)
• North High School (USD 259)
• East High School (USD 259)
• Heights High School (USD 259)
• Northwest High School (USD 259)
• Dodge City High School (USD 443)
• Parsons Senior High School (USD 503)
For communities that do not have an event scheduled, helpful advice for high school seniors can be found here: http://knowhow2go.acenet.edu/middle-and-high-school-students/make-a-plan.html
"Apply Kansas: College Application Month" is an initiative being coordinated by a statewide steering committee, which includes representatives from the Kansas Board of Regents, public postsecondary institutions, independent colleges and high school guidance counselors. After this pilot year with ten high schools, the steering committee will work to grow the program statewide to continue creating a seamless transition between students leaving high school, entering college, and then moving into the workforce.
For more information, contact Breeze Richardson at (785) 291-3969 or
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About the Kansas Board of Regents:
The nine-member Kansas Board of Regents is the governing board of the state's six universities and the statewide coordinating board for the state's 32 public higher education institutions (six state universities, one municipal university, nineteen community colleges, and six technical colleges). In addition, the Board administers the state's student financial aid, adult education, high school equivalency, and career and technical education programs. Private proprietary schools and out-of-state institutions are authorized by the Kansas Board of Regents to operate in Kansas, and the Board continues to administer Kan-Ed, a program for facilitating and promoting distance learning and telemedicine in schools, libraries and hospitals. Visit the Kansas Board of Regents online at www.kansasregents.org.
October is “College Application Month” in Kansas (PDF download)