UC Merced is adding more school districts to its guaranteed admissions program.
Over the years, UC Merced’s admissions program has grown to more than 60 school districts across the state. Last week, it expanded its program to Shasta Union High School District and Fall River Joint Unified School District to reach Shasta County students.
The partnership, according to the Redding Record Searchlight, aims to increase higher education options for students in a county without a public four-year university. Eligible Shasta County students will be able to receive annual scholarships up to $3,000 for four years.
While most of the expanding programs have been between K-12 school districts and universities, Fresno Pacific University and State Center Community College District schools have also created a guaranteed transfer pathway for students, ABC 30 reported last week. Eligible transfer students from Fresno City College, Clovis Community College, Reedley College and Madera Community College will have a guaranteed spot at the university.
“We know that when students can see the next steps, they are more likely to stay on track, transfer successfully and complete their degrees,” said Fresno Pacific’s deputy chancellor Christine Holt-McDonald.
University officials say they hope the program encourages more students to remain in the Central Valley after earning their degrees, ABC 30 reported.
California State University campuses, such as Fresno State, San Jose State and Sonoma State, have operated similar programs. And the entire CSU system now has a direct admission program partnering with 40 plus districts to guarantee admission to students who meet GPA and A-G course requirements, the set of high school courses required to be eligible to apply.
This story was originally published by EdSource.