Boise State receives
sought after grant

Boise State recently received a 2.3 million dollar grant to be

used to help seasonal and migrant farm workers or their children

achieve their high school equivalency diploma or GED certificate.

The program, which is part of the federally funded High School

Equivalency Program (HEP), works with people from across the

state.

Boise State was lucky to receive this grant. Competition for it was

extremely high this year due to a decrease in federal funding

resulting in many HEP programs around the country being shut

down.

Scott Willison, director of Boise State’s Center for

Multicultural Educational Opportunities and a professor of

education, said that BSU’s grant application was the

highest-scored proposal in the nation despite the fact that they

were competing against programs in Florida, Texas and

California—states which all have high numbers of migrant

workers.

Willison is excited to receive the grants so BSU will be able to

continue providing HEP’s services. “The program is a

major source of support for seasonal farm workers who receive a

GED, and had the program not been funded there would have been a

big void,” said Willison.

Individuals accepted into Boise State’s HEP program range in

age from 16 to 60. On top of being given free instruction and

assessments, students receive educational materials and are given

funding for residence halls or travel expenses when needed.

The students take GED classes in either English or Spanish. In

order to earn the certificate, students need to pass tests in

American g overnment, social studies, science, reading, writing,

and mathematics. This training can last anywhere from two months to

two years. Boise State’s HEP program has helped more than

1,000 students in the past 10 years. Students who do not live in

Boise can become part of commuter programs in other parts of the

state including Burley, Twin Falls, American Falls and Canyon

County.

Along the HEP grant, Boise State and the Center for Multicultural

and Educational Opportunities was also recently awarded another

federal grant for over two million dollars to sponsor the College

Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP). CAMP, a sister program to HEP,

helps provide support to migrant or seasonal farm workers and their

children who wish to attend college.

This program is designed to help students through their freshman

year of school. CAMP helps ensure students stay in school by

offering financial support, counseling, tutoring, and mentoring.

Since the program began in 1984, it has provided services to over

700 students.

Carolyn Michaud
Assistant News Editor

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