Genesee Promise Plus Summer Scholarship Program Continues to Grow, GCC Trustees Learn

BATAVIA, NY (06/17/2016)(readMedia)-- When Genesee Community College Board of Trustees initiated the Genesee Promise Plus (GPP) summer scholarship program in 2008 its goal was to remove financial barriers that often prohibit high school graduates in the Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming Counties from attending college. Trustees also felt the scholarship program would help families of the graduates recognize that a college degree is perhaps the most valuable investment for their future.

The GPP report provided by Dr. Virginia (Ginny) Taylor, GCC's vice president for Student and Enrollment Services at Monday evening's Board of Trustees, illustrated the importance of the summer scholarship program and how its growth continues to positively impact families in the GLOW region.

Through the past eight years, college officials have expanded GPP beyond its original scope of providing a scholarship for one or two summer GCC classes to just graduating high school seniors. Today, high school juniors, GED recipients, homeschooled students, as well adults who have never attended college before can also apply and receive a GPP scholarship for one or two classes.

Interestingly, it is high school juniors that have shown the most substantial growth between 2015 and 2016. As of Monday, there was an 82% increase over last year in the number of juniors who had applied for GPP scholarships. Batavia High, Elba and Pembroke Central were the schools showing the most growth, and homeschooled students jumped from 19 to 37 students. High school seniors increased by 17%. The number of adult students applying for GPP is small but also growing. Last year five adults applied, while this year the College welcomed 14 adult applicants.

"Summer enrollment in Genesee Promise Plus continues to be a powerful opportunity for residents in our GLOW community, and we are excited to have another strong summer session this year, which starts July 5th," Dr. Taylor said. "It's not too late register."

There are more than 60 courses offered by GCC in Summer Session II with classes at all seven campus locations and online. From ceramics to chemistry, algebra to accounting, history to hip hop culture-GCC courses all offer SUNY transferable credit.

To apply online go to: http://www.genesee.edu/home/academics/genesee-promise-plus/

You can also stop in at any of GCC's seven campus locations:

• GCC at Albion – 456 West Avenue (Rte. 31), Albion, NY 14411- (585) 589-4936

• GCC at Arcade – 25 Edward Street, Arcade, NY 14009 - (585) 492-5265

• GCC at Batavia – 1 College Road, Batavia, NY 14202 – (585) 345-6800

• GCC at Dansville – 31 Clara Barton Street (as of July 2, 2012), Dansville, NY 14437 – (585) 335-7820

• GCC at Lima – 7285 Gale Road, Lima, NY 14485 – (585) 582-1226

• GCC at Medina – 11470 Maple Ridge Road (Rte. 31A), Medina, NY 14103 – (585) 798-1688

• GCC at Warsaw – 115 Linwood Avenue, Warsaw, NY 14569 – (585) 786-3010

# # #