Grants and Other Financial Assistance Programs: FY2008

The purpose of this grant program is to enable Massachusetts Community Colleges to develop programs that assist adult learners in transitioning into or enrolling in post-secondary education. To participate in this program, students must have received their GED or a diploma from an Adult Diploma Program/External Diploma Program (ADP/EDP) and must have the required English language literacy skills. Post-secondary transition programs are defined as follows:

1. a system of linkages, resources, services, information, instructional practices, and curricula that supports and assists the transition of adult learners to appropriate post-secondary opportunities at the community college and that includes higher level development courses, post-secondary vocational and certificate programs, and Associate's Degree programs;

2. a program design that is based on the community of learners or cohort model as the most effective way to provide the required services and instruction for the adult learner; and

3. a program that ensures the full integration and participation of the transitioning students into the college community.

The priority is to continue funding the 10 Adult Basic Education Transition to Community College Programs.

The program will serve youth and adults who were served previously by Department of Education-funded Community Adult Learning Centers, or GED Test Centers and/or Community Partnership Agencies and who meet the following criteria:

1. have received a GED or ADP/EDP credential within the past 10 years; or

2. have a high school credential equivalent from another country and have an English language literacy level at or above an 8.5 grade level as measured by the required Adult Basic Education assessment; and

3. are able to participate in post-secondary level academic classes conducted in English.

Priorities for the grant are to:

1. support programs that enable the development and/or continuation of the community college system's institutional capacity to enroll and retain former ABE students;

2. strengthen the bridge between Department-funded Community Adult Learning Centers and community colleges; and

3. promote and support systemic changes within each institution to enable them to develop an infrastructure that ensures students are provided with the foundation skills necessary to participate and complete college level courses, certificate programs, and/or degrees.

Eligible applicants are the following currently funded community colleges:

• Berkshire Community College

• Bristol Community College

• Bunker Hill Community College

• Cape Cod Community College

• Greenfield Community College

• Massasoit Community College

• Middlesex Community College

• North Shore Community College

• Quinsigamond Community College

• Springfield Technical Community College

Community Colleges must continue to collaborate with other community-based organizations and institutions providing ABE and/or transition services and to develop partnerships and subcontracts as needed.

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Proposals must be received at the Department by 5:00 p.m. on the date due.

• SMARTT Manual - FY2008

Submit 2 sets of the application each with the original signature in blue ink of the Superintendent/Executive Director/President.

Mail to:

Charlene Collins
Fiscal Liaison
Adult and Community Learning Services
Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
350 Main Street - 4^th Floor
Malden, MA 02148-5023