The Sallie Mae Fund Helps Children Aspire to a College Education in all 50 States

NEWARK, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A program to encourage middle school children to pursue a college education is now available nationwide. Kids2College, a program of The Sallie Mae Fund, today announced enrollment in all 50 states.

“The Kids2College program helps us bring essential college and career awareness to middle school students in New York State”

Kids2College was launched in 1992 to instill the value of a higher education early among inner city and low-income school children. It soon expanded to include any community with an interest in encouraging more students to attend college.

The program pairs 6^th to 8^th graders at local schools and nonprofits with staff at colleges and universities. Each partner facilitates a six-week curriculum with fun, hands-on activities. Program participants explore career options, review high school course choices and learn about financial aid.

The Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities in Albany, N.Y. is one of the hundreds of partners that use the Kids2College curriculum.

“The Kids2College program helps us bring essential college and career awareness to middle school students in New York State,” said Laura Anglin, president of the CICU. “The popular program helps to instill a passion for college early on and introduces students to the excitement of learning, as well as the value and accessibility of higher education.”

Students enrolled in the Kids2College program also have an opportunity to tour college campuses. On Friday, students with Prince George’s County Public Schools will visit the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. They will hear from the university’s president, Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, III.

“Kids2College has been a wonderful resource to help teach our middle school students about all facets of college,” said Cindy Popol, middle school counselor at Robert Goddard Montessori. “The workbook provides helpful, important information and the exercises make the lessons fun. Our 7^th and 8^th grade students are excited to visit a college campus. They will have an exceptional opportunity to meet Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, the university’s highly regarded president and an inspiration for many young people. The Sallie Mae Fund and Kids2College made these opportunities possible.”

Last year, President Barack Obama appointed Dr. Hrabowski to chair his Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans.

“The Kids2College program fosters an early interest in education after high school,” said Joni Reich, executive vice president, Sallie Mae. “College opens the doors to a bright future full of possibilities.”

About 400 partners currently participate in the Kids2College program, administering the free curriculum to more than 135,000 middle school students nationwide. A Spanish-language option is also available.

To learn more about the program, visit www.thesalliemaefund.org/Kids2College.

The Sallie Mae Fund, a charitable organization sponsored by Sallie Mae, achieves its mission — to increase college access for America's students — by supporting programs and initiatives that help open doors to higher education. The Fund also supports employee volunteerism and community service in the communities where Sallie Mae employees live and work. For more information, visit www.salliemaefund.org.