Report: College Access for Pell Students

As part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to educational equity, ED released a report, Fulfilling the Promise, Serving the Need: Advancing College Opportunity for Low-Income Students, highlighting the efforts of colleges and universities to promote access, opportunity and success among low-income students, and identifying areas of much-needed improvement. [Data Set Supporting Report]

Honoring Latina's During Women's History Month

During National Women's History Month, the Initiative and its Federal Interagency Working Group on Educational Excellence for Hispanics held a discussion with Latina leaders at ED: Alejandra Ceja, Initiative Executive Director; Lisa Ramirez, Office of Migrant ED Director; and Vanessa Gonzalez-Plumhoff, Director of Outreach and Engagement. They focused on mentorship, education, and the importance of increasing access to opportunity to Hispanic girls and women. James Cole, delegated the duties of Deputy Secretary of education, thanked the working group for their efforts to strengthen the link between the federal government and the Latino community. 

Loan Forgiveness for Borrowers with Disabilities

ED announced a new process to proactively identify and assist federal student loan borrowers with disabilities who may be eligible for Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) loan discharge. This effort was called for by President Obama in his Student Aid Bill of Rights, which details measures to make paying for higher education an easier and fairer experience for millions of Americans. The Higher Education Act allows for loan forgiveness for borrowers who are totally and permanently disabled.  By proactively identifying and engaging borrowers who may be eligible for TPD loan discharge, ED is fulfilling its commitment to ensure that borrowers who are totally and permanently disabled have the information needed to take full advantage of the debt relief to which they are entitled. [Press Release]

"If we give students the gift of bilingualism, of multilingualism -- if we give students the gift of those skills and those opportunities -- they have a better sense of themselves, their community, and their future, and a better appreciation for our diversity as a country." - Secretary John King Read Secretary King's Speech delivered during the California Association of Bilingual Education Annual Conference.

Invitation: College Signing Day

#ReachHigher

Deciding where you're going to college is always something to celebrate! On April 26, 2016, we invite YOU to join the First Lady in celebrating every student that continues their education beyond high school by organizing your own College Signing Day Celebration! 

Whether you're a mayor, principal or college President, a high school or college faculty member, community organizer, a celebrity, a parent or a school counselor, we invite you be a part of this growing movement and celebration.

What you can do:

1. Check out the Signing Day toolkit for ideas about how to organize an event on your campus or in your community.  
2. Organize an event.
3. Register your event at ReachHigher.gov. Here you can also make a request to have a Senior Official from the Obama Administration speak at your event.
4. Be ready on April 26th - wear your college gear and post photos on social media sharing why a postsecondary degree is important using the hashtag(s) #CollgeSigningDay #ReachHigher

Help us grow the #ReachHigher movement and spread the word! Share the PDF version of this email or just forward this message along!

Webinar on Student Loan Repayment 

May 5, 2016

Curious about how to repay your federal student loans? Register for Federal Student Aid's free webinar on May 5, 2016 from 3-4 pm and have your questions answered!

Recommend a Teacher 

During this year’s Teacher Appreciation Week (May 2-6), ED wants to extend a personal thank you to some great teachers.  Help us by recommending a colleague, a friend, your child’s teacher, or the teacher who inspired you.  While we cannot guarantee reaching every teacher during the week, we may use submitted information for other highlighting purposes throughout the year.

White House Science Fair 2016

President Obama hosted the sixth and final White House Science Fair of his Administration and celebrated the student competitors and winners from a broad range of STEM competitions. The event was the largest White House Science Fair to date, with more than 130 students from more than 30 states. (Exhibit Details and Toolkit). The President also highlighted the growing community of education, business, and nonprofit leaders who have responded to his State of the Union call to give every child the opportunity to learn computer science, as well as his overall “Educate to Innovate” campaign to ensure all students have the tools to be innovators and problem-solvers. Access a list of all of the day's announcements.

#LatinosTeach

Recognizing Lisette Monzon! Lissette Monzon has accomplished several milestones such as opening a Gifted program, served as a Little Red Schoolhouse Liaison, District Liaison for the Teaching Enrichment Activities to Minorities (TEAM) Program, Reading Coach, Literacy Leadership Team Director, Teacher Leader and National Board Certified Teacher.  Why do you teach? "I always tell my students, “The choices we make dictate the life we lead,” so it is important to make the right choices. I am here to ensure they have the tools to do so."

Today, Hispanics are nearly one in four of our public school students, but less than one in ten of our teachers. With the #LatinosTeach campaign, the Initiative features Hispanic teachers to demonstrate that while they are underrepresented, there are many Hispanics who are dedicating themselves to serving their community through teaching.

To see other teachers featured by the Initiative, search #LatinosAchieve on our Twitter account @HispanicEd. 

Grant Opportunities

USCIS Grant Funding

Deadline to Apply: April 22, 2016

On March 2, 2016, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) posted two grant funding opportunity announcements. Both funding opportunities aim to prepare permanent residents for naturalization and promote civic integration through increased knowledge of English, U.S. history and civics. Through these two funding opportunities, USCIS will offer up to $10 million in competitive funding for citizenship preparation programs in communities across the country.

Americorps Social Innovation Fund Grants

Deadline to Submit Intent to Apply: April 15, 2016

Deadline to Apply: May 10, 2016

Apply for Americorps Social Innovation Fund Grants! The 2016 Social Innovation Fund Classic grant competition will provide up to $39 million to eligible grantmaking institutions seeking to grow innovative, evidence-based solutions to challenges facing low-income communities nationwide in our focus areas of healthy futures, youth development and economic opportunity. 

HSI STEM Articulation Grants

Deadline to Apply: May 31, 2016

The purpose of the Hispanic-Serving Institutions - Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (HSI STEM) and Articulation Programs is to increase the number of Hispanic and other low-income students attaining degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. These grants provide institutions with funds to develop research opportunities and improve the overall quality of STEM programs on campus. 

Grant Competition Encourage Study of Native American Languages

ED’s Office of English Language Acquisition announced the availability of more than $3.2 million in grants to provide effective instruction to Native American students who are identified as English learners. Under the Native American and Alaska Native Children in School Program (NAM) program, funds will be used to support the teaching, learning and studying of Native American languages including Native Hawaiian and Native American Pacific Islanders. The program encourages a focus on improving early learning and development outcomes. 

Webinar Spotlighting ED Funding Opportunities

The White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (WHIHBCU) has been hosting a series of webinars to educate Historically Black Colleges and Universities on the grants and opportunities available to them throughout the federal government. This month WHIHBCU in collaboration with the Initiative will co-host a webinar with ED on April 21, 2016 from 1:00PM-3:00PM EST. This webinar will feature a presentation by departmental programs within the U.S. Department of Education highlighting their funding opportunities for HBCUs and Hispanic Serving Institutions.  Access more information and join us. 

Ensuring Equitable Access to Healthcare

April is National Minority Health Month, recognizing the efforts undertaken to ensure equitable access to healthcare across every racial/ethnic group in America. Health and Human Services' Office of Minority Health invites everyone to join in the effort to raise awareness regarding health disparities that continue to affect racial and ethnic minorities in the United States. 

You Are Invited: 

Google Hangout on Latino Teacher Recruitment

Today, April 20th at 2 PM EST 

Please join Senior Advisor to the Secretary Ruthanne Buck, Initiative Senior Advisor Maria Pastrana and Bright Spots in Hispanic Education featured during the session:

• Academy for Teacher excellence, TX
• Bilingual Education Program at Texas A&M University, TX
• Mini-Corps Program at Fresno State, CA
• Grow your Own Teachers, IL
• STEM Transformation Institute, FL
• T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood, NC
• University of Texas at El Paso

This interactive session will provide an opportunity to hear from evidence-based programs, models, organizations, or initiatives that are helping close the achievement gap for Hispanic students, and for discussing ways to continue moving the needle on progress for Latino students and families forward.

Learn more and RSVP Now!

STEM Google+ Hangout

STEM careers are some of the most rewarding and in demand  in our current economy. However, stereotypes surrounding STEM careers as well as less access to resources discourage many Latinos from pursuing careers in these fields. The Initiative's March Google Hangout on STEM highlighted the efforts of Bright Spots have undertaken to increase STEM access and education to Latino students. Check out the recording of the Google Hangout and find out how organizations are using their platforms to close the STEM gap among Latinos!

Bright Spot Corner

Leadership Scholars works to empower Hispanic parents with strategies to support their children, and establishes knowledge to help them best position their children to earn college admission and scholarships. The program has grown to serve 19 schools in 2015 and it became the only tri-state entity offering its nationally acclaimed parent engagement program. Research was conclusive that the Leadership Scholars's PIQE program was effective at raising high school graduation rates, raising college attendance rates, and improving GPA and SAT/ACT scores.

Every month we will highlight one of the 230+ Bright Spots in Hispanic Education around the nation. Bright Spots are programs, models, organizations, or initiatives that are helping close the achievement gap. Access the Full Online Catalog.

Commitment to Action Corner

The Parent-Child Home Program (PCHP) committed to providing low income Hispanic, particularly Mexican-American, families with the necessary skills and tools to ensure their children achieve their greatest potential in school and in life. The PCHP National Center assists underserved communities in replicating and expanding this critical program that builds early parent-child verbal interaction, learning, and school readiness at home. Access the commitment details here.

Every month we will highlight one of the 150 Commitments to Action made around the nation. Access the full list. Access the Online Catalog. 

Debt Relief Path for Defrauded Students

ED announced that students who were defrauded at 91 former Corinthian Colleges Inc. (Corinthian) campuses nationwide have a clear path to loan forgiveness under evidence uncovered by the Department while working with multiple state attorney generals. Students who attended Corinthian schools operated under its Everest and WyoTech brands in more than 20 states can apply for debt relief through a form posted here. 

ED Creates Climate Surveys To Improve School Environments

ED has released new school climate surveys and a guide on making school climate improvements to help foster and sustain safe and supportive environments that are conducive to learning for all students.  The School Climate Surveys and Quick Guide on Making School Climate Improvements will enable states, school districts, and schools to collect and act on reliable, nationally-validated school climate data in real time.  These free, adaptable resources will empower educators to understand and create environments where every child can be successful.

 Secretary Visits Public School In Puerto Rico

Secretary John King held a roundtable with students, teachers and school leaders at Dr. Arturo Carrion school in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The roundtable focused on the successes and challenges in turning around the school. Secretary King was joined by Puerto Rico Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla and Secretary of Education Rafael Román Meléndez. 

Talking Education Policy with Dallas Teachers

Roberto Rodríguez, advisor to President Obama on education policy, joined an online group of over 9,000 educators in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, to discuss critical issue on education policy. The dialogue addressed issues such as standardized testing, early learning, and college readiness. 

Fulbright Webinar for MSI Students

Interested in learning more about the Fulbright program?   Register for the State Department's Fulbright Webinar on April 26th to find out more! This webinar will offer U.S. students attending Minority Serving Institutions a unique opportunity to learn more about the ins and outs of how to apply to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.

What You Didnt Know About Your Financial Aid Award Letter

Financial Aid is often a tricky area to navigate for incoming college students. Knowing how financial aid is calculated as well as how schools determine eligibility can help students make more informed choices when it comes to picking a college to attend. Check out ED’s guide to navigating the FAFSA and Financial Aid award letters and become more literate with financial aid lingo!