The Say Yes to Education program turns into bricks and mortar today, with the opening of The College Success Center in Bennett High School.Say Yes promises to get every public and charter school graduate in the city the financial aid to get into and stay in college, as it gradually moves into full operation.
The collaboration between the University at Buffalo, city schools, and the Buffalo Promise Neighborhood is aimed at helping students achieve the academic levels they need to apply to college, get the parental support to apply and fill out those financial aid packages, and make sure the applications are filled out and submitted properly.
"We're excited to have our site facilitators in place. It's a very culturally competent group," said Say Yes Executive Director David Rust.
With this the season for college and financial aid applications, Associate Schools Superintendent Will Keresztes says helping parents learn the process is important.
"Many of our families experience challenges in navigating the federal financial aid process. So, we're partnering with UB through their college access center to create financial aid support teams that will be assigned to every one of our high schools. Their objective is to support families with completion of the federal forms and the Say Yes scholarship applications," said Keresztes.
Say Yes plans an extensive roll out of its programs with the new year, leading up to a major college and scholarship event February 2.
