Up to $500,000 in state grants are available to organizations and eligible high schools, including in St. Lawrence County, who can run programs to increase college access for 2016 high school graduates.

New York State’s College Action Grants will award up to $5,000 to eligible high schools and community organizations that promote activities aimed at increasing the rate of low-income New York State high school seniors who apply to college, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and ultimately enroll in a college.

Eligible high schools are those in which 50 percent or more of the students are eligible to participate in the federal free and reduced-price lunch program. Qualified not-for-profit organizations serving low-income students from such high schools are also eligible to apply for this grant opportunity.

“Increasing access to higher education is essential to strengthening this state's economy," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. "This funding will help more low income and at risk students get access to a college education and unlock the potential that comes with it."

The College Action Grants are administered by the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation and financed through a $6.5 million College Access Challenge Grant awarded to the state in 2014 by the U.S. Department of Education to support college access services and activities.

College Action Grant applicants must agree to participate in three statewide college access initiatives: College Application Week, October 26-30; New York State’s Student Financial Aid Awareness Campaign’s FAFSA Completion Hands-on Workshop, Jan.–March and College Signing Day, May.

For more information, visit www.hesc.ny.gov/collegeaction.