When students from traditionally underserved backgrounds get specialized academic help on their path to college, studies show they are more likely to succeed once they get there. To support programs that provide this help, Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation today awarded more than $4 million in College Ready grants. These 34 recipient programs will provide services to students across Minnesota and Wisconsin during the 2013-2014 academic year.

“College Ready grants give Great Lakes the opportunity to partner with organizations actively preparing more students to enroll and succeed in college-level courses,” said Richard D. George, Great Lakes’ President and Chief Executive Officer. “The time, attention, tutoring, and skill-building activities that these programs provide, through qualified educators and trained tutors, give students expanded options for college, and increased opportunities for lifelong success.”

Nearly 4,000 students, including those in grades 6 through 12 and adult learners, will be served by programs that received College Ready grants. Each program has developed strategies to prepare their students for college by helping them to improve their academic performance, as measured through grade point averages (GPAs) or ACT and SAT scores. Strategies include a mix of short-term, focused programming as well as year-round support. Regardless of the strategy employed, each program has committed to tracking the impact of their efforts on preparing students for college success.

Following is a complete list of Milwaukee-based College Ready grant partners and the amount awarded.

Alverno College, Girls Advanced Academy in Science and Mathematics

Helping 38 high school juniors from underserved backgrounds pursue science, technology, engineering, and math majors using the study of beauty.

$72,608

College Possible Milwaukee, Academic Readiness & College Preparation

Enabling 375 high school juniors from low-income backgrounds at 10 partner high schools to increase their ACT scores and have more college options.

$300,000

Pathways to College, Inc., Pathways Precollege

Offering after-school tutoring in core subjects, Saturday skill-building workshops, leadership training, and an intensive three-week summer program to 180 Milwaukee middle school students.

$171,800

University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Upward Bound

Providing 115 high school students with services including a year-round program of after-school tutoring, monthly parent/student workshops, academic advising, and educational field trips, as well as a six-week summer program with intensive instruction, tutoring, advising, and college visits.

$198,103