There's been increased support for South County students who thought financing a college education would be challenging.
A recent $540,000 measure was awarded to help Sweetwater Union High School graduates secure their college educations at San Diego State. The money comes from a $388-billion budget bill recently passed by Congress.
The awarded amount will go toward scholarships for students who complete college-prep courses and achieve a 3.0 grade-point average. The money will be given to the Sweetwater Education Foundation, which assists Sweetwater graduates who attend SDSU.
Eduardo Valerio, president of The Sweetwater Foundation, said the money is significant for Sweetwater students because it does not let a financial burden hold them back from attending and obtaining a bachelor's degree from SDSU.
"There are no more excuses for underserved students," he said. "The school district is attempting to prepare Sweetwater students for the academic rigors of college. The Sweetwater Foundation is here to meet the financial needs of these students."
Congressman Bob Filner, who serves in California's 51st Congressional District, requested the $540,000 from the House Appropriations Committee.
Filner said it's important for Sweetwater students not to go unnoticed when it comes to meeting financial costs of a college education.
"Financial burdens should not deter our students from a college education," he said.
Valerio said the Sweetwater Foundation has helped raise nearly $2.6 million for future Aztecs.
"Although this is not a free pass to go to college, students must work hard and meet requirements to be admitted to SDSU," he said.
Valerio also mentioned it is unknown how much in scholarship money the student will receive prior to attending SDSU.
Gonzalo Rojas, director of Collaborative Programs in the College of Education at SDSU, said how much will be awarded per student is based on the financial needs of each student.
"We hope to award students with the highest need of at least $1,000 to $1,500 each," he said.
Such collaborative programs include Compact For Success, which helps students meet core requirements as well as maintain a 3.0 GPA beginning in 7th grade. Meeting these requirements allows students admittance into SDSU when they're ready for college.
"The money will be distributed to students for four years beginning with the graduating class of 2006 in the Sweetwater District for those who've successfully completed the program," Rojas said.
Lillian Leopold, director of communications for the Sweetwater Union High School District, said high school students were lacking in college enrollments before the Compact For Success Program was developed in 2000 and the Sweetwater Education Foundation, which was founded in 2003.
"In 1999, we had 4,084 graduates from our district, and 592 were admitted to a university - but only 353 of them were enrolled," she said.
"Last year, our numbers increased to 1,000 in admitted applicants to the university."
She said the number of admitted college applicants has risen because of the program's resources.
Leopold also mentioned the grant money will help fund students for the graduating class of 2010.
The Sweetwater Education Foundation also has allocations of $500,000 each for the first five graduating classes, which are 2006-2009.
"This is great for Sweetwater students who will attend SDSU," Rojas said.
Filner credits Sweetwater students as future leaders and future Aztecs.
"I strongly believe this awarded measure will help empower Sweetwater students to obtain a college education," he said.
Filner also said he looks forward to seeing Sweetwater students begin their college careers at SDSU.
"Our students have brighter futures because there's more scholarship money available for them," he said.
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