Rising Star is a program that offers financial assistance and access to a free college education in the Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD) to eligible high school seniors in Dallas County. The program provides a scholarship of up to $4,000 for tuition and books for a maximum of three years to Dallas County public high school seniors who 1) graduate with a “B” average or pass the required college assessment test and 2) show economic need. The program provides tutoring, mentoring, and opportunities for students to socialize and share experiences in the Rising Star clubs on campus.
Institution:
Dallas County Community College District
Academic Level:
Community College
Issue Area:
Outreach
Issue Area:
Transfer
Year:
2008
Designation:
Examples of Excelencia
Designation:
Honorable Mention
Key Personnel:
Shaw, Ella
Address:
Dallas County Community College District
Address 2:
1601 South Lamar St.
City:
Dallas
State:
TX
Zip:
75215 Goal/Mission:
The Rising Star Program Transfer Scholarship facilitates the next step in a student's educational journey. After meeting the "core complete" requirements and/or receiving an Associate degree from DCCCD, students desiring to transfer to any of the participating Rising Star four-year institutions, must meet the eligibility requirements (including GPA) of those schools. The district director has to approve all students for transfer, and students receive funding supplied by the four-year institution. The Rising Star Program has initiated transfer financial aid agreements with partnering universities, specifically the University of North Texas-Dallas Campus and the Texas Woman’s University in Denton, to ensure qualified students can continue their education. Financial support facilitates the transition for the students leaving the community college environment to the four-year institutions.
Outcome:
In fall 2007, the Rising Star Program Transfer Scholarship received 70 applications. Fifty-four percent (54%) of the applicants were accepted into four-year institutions. The number of students -- who are the first in their families to go to college, immigrants, and/or members of ethnic minorities -- receiving these transfer scholarships continues to increase each year. The total cost per student ($4,000) ensures a community college education for the student and an increase in retention rates for the Rising Star Program and the district. Also a 2007 Honorable Mention.
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