College Access Challenge Grant

WICHE has launched two initiatives to help states take advantage of the federally-funded College Access Challenge Grant (CACG). In the CACG Consortium, WICHE assists state partners with developing and implementing grant programs, while providing grant management and evaluation assistance. Through the CACG Network, WICHE provides a forum for state leaders to share promising practices, discuss common challenges, and work together to improve their programs.

Click here to visit the Department of Education's CACG page

Overview

The College Access Challenge Grant (CACG) is a federally-funded formula grant program designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enroll and succeed in postsecondary education. As part of this effort, WICHE is working with state partners through two mechanisms: the CACG Consortium and the CACG Network. While the level of WICHE-related services differ, both options allow CACG states the opportunity to learn from each other, share best practices and lessons learned, and receive current evidence-based research.

NEW PUBLICATION HIGHLIGHTS PROMISING STRATEGIES IN CACG NETWORK STATES

WICHE has released a new issue of Western Policy Exchanges that highlights promising new ideas and methods that states in the CACG Network are employing to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enroll and succeed in postsecondary education. Among the promising strategies are: utilizing partnerships with other entities, FAFSA completion programs, peer mentoring, and need-based financial aid in implementing their federally-funded CACG programs. Click here to download a copy of the brief.

JOINT CACG NETWORK/SREB GO ALLIANCE MEETING

November 30-December 1, 2011 - Denver, Colorado

The eight states from WICHE's CACG Network joined colleagues from SREB's GO Alliance to collaborate on promising strategies to boost college access and develop ideas for overcoming common challenges. This was the first joint meeting between the two groups. To view the meeting presentations and agenda, click here.

CACG NETWORK WEBINARS

"College Application Week" - August 18, 2011

A CACG Network Webinar on August 18, 2011 highlighted work by the Institute for College and Career Success to expand the College Application Week program to additional states. This effort can help applications to college by low-income and first-generation students. The full webinar recording is not available, but you can click here to view the presentation.

"Social Media and Peer Mentoring" - September 1, 2011

A second CACG Network webinar highlighted novel uses of social media that can bring together peer mentors and high-school students to boost access. Click here to view the archived recording of the webinar. The presentation slides are available here.

CACG Consortium

The CACG Consortium is comprised of Alaska, Idaho, and Wyoming. WICHE-related services to the Consortium states include grant development and management, program implementation and evaluation, and ongoing expert consultation and guidance. Consortium states are also members of the CACG Network.

CACG Network

In the CACG Network, WICHE is working with the three Consortium states, plus Nevada, Texas, Utah, and Washington, to provide a forum in which staff involved in developing, implementing, and maintaining state CACG efforts can share and discuss issues related to the administration of their programs. Through two Network meetings and an interactive website, state leaders and policymakers share promising practices, lessons learned, common challenges, and the latest research.

College Access Challenge Grant Consortium and Network