Smart Scholars Program

Too many young people in New York don't dare to dream about getting a college diploma . . .

• When just completing high school is a struggle
  
• When the cost of attending college is out of the reach of their families
  
• When 4 to 6 years to complete a degree is too long to delay entry into the workforce

Smart Scholars Program

Each year, at least 12,000 students who are at risk of not completing high school would receive additional academic support beginning as early as 9th grade and enable 11th and 12th graders to take early college courses so that they can graduate from high school and start college as second-year students with 30 college credits.

Benefits

• Encourage educationally at risk students to graduate from high school.
  
  
• More students will enter college not needing remedial courses.
  
  
• Students enter college with rigorous collegiate courses that are accepted by colleges.
  
  
• Baccalaureate degrees can be achieved in 3 years, making a college education more affordable for more students.

Request: $100 million annually

Why this Will Work

• New York has a rich history of collegiate involvement in our P-12 schools

• Experience of State's opportunity programs shows that with appropriate support, students will succeed

• Similar to Early College High Schools, funded by Gates Foundation, 130 programs around the country