Bernardo Carillo poses for a photograph at a San Jacinto College welding lab.
A new HISD College Readiness initiative called “It’s Not Too Late” will show 2014 high school graduates who have not made plans for their future that there’s still time to apply for community college classes and financial aid.
The College Readiness team has partnered with the Houston Community College (HCC) admissions office to help a select group of HISD graduates enroll for the fall semester during the “It’s Not Too Late” Application Day. The event will be held on Aug. 18 at HCC Southwest and on Aug. 22 at HCC Southeast.*
It’s Not Too Late Application Day
9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Aug. 18
HCC Southwest Campus, 5601 West Loop South
9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Aug. 22
HCC Southeast Campus, 6815 Rustic Street
Attendees will receive college application and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) assistance and have an opportunity to explore career programs that include nursing, paralegal, and diesel mechanics.
“For many of our 2014 graduates, their senior year was focused on making up credits and balancing a job with the demands of school,” said HISD College Readiness Senior Manager David Johnston.
“Applying to college and financial aid often becomes that thing they will do once they graduate. What these students find, though, is that the wonderful support structure they had while in high school is gone, and they are lost on how to access higher education.”
The campaign focuses on providing college access to more than 2,000 members of HISD’s Class of 2014, who did not complete the FAFSA and qualified for free or reduced lunch while enrolled at HISD. A campaign brochure was recently mailed to these students and features success stories from HISD alumni who completed their associate’s degree at local community colleges.
“I needed a skill to fall back on, a skill for my future,” said Lee High School graduate Bernardo Carrillo, who received a degree in welding technology at San Jacinto Community College. His testimony is featured in the brochure. “I have a background in automotive bodywork and repair, and I knew that welding would be a useful skill for that trade.”
The brochure also includes steps for students to make their future great, a list of local community college career programs, advantages of completing college coursework, and average Houston annual salaries for various technical and health science careers.
*Students are encouraged to come early and to bring a valid photo ID, final high school transcript, meningitis shot record, and parent and student 2013 tax returns or W-2s. For more information about the event, please contact the HISD College Readiness department at 713-556-7196.