Low-income students got a boost from the Legislature this spring when lawmakers passed the Silver State Opportunity Grants.
The grants pay a portion of costs for community and state colleges to students who are eligible.
Crystal Abba, the vice chancellor for the Nevada System of Higher Education, told KNPR's State of Nevada that only 6.4 percent of students from low-income families attend a college in our state.
"So our goal is to move that needle and increase the percentage of students that are going to college from low-income families," Abba said.
There are restrictions. Students must be enrolled and be taking 15 credits.
Abba said it is important to have students going full time because part-time students tend not to graduate on time and a lot of times they don't graduate at all.
"I think the reality of it is when you do something part time its not your full focus," Abba said.
But Abba said the program is still a pilot program and when they can show a return on investment, they're hoping to extend the program to part-time students.
Other restrictions include Nevada residency and college readiness; however, Abba said 55 percent of high school grads are not ready for college and must be put into remedial classes.
Students must also have completed FAFSA or Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Abba said some students don’t fill out the paperwork over fears that are mostly unwarranted.
"It's intimidating because there is a fear there and we're trying very hard to combat that," she said.
But she said, getting the money will allow students to focus on studies instead of making ends meet.
Michael Richards is the president of the College of Southern Nevada. He said not completely the relatively easy online form is like throwing away money.
"Complete that FASFA, take the time to fill out that FAFSA form because it means money in your pocket," Richards said.
A Promise for a College Education
Besides the national Pell grants and the Silver State Opportunity grants already in place, the state is considering another complimentary idea The Promise Plan.
It has been implemented by many states and has been taken up by President Barack Obama.
Under the Promise Plan, people going to community college would get their tuition, and perhaps other college costs, paid for, Richards said.
"The idea is to invest in the population in such a way that they can meet the jobs of the future," Richards said.
According to Richards, most of the jobs of the future will need at least a associates degree.
Currently, the system of higher education is looking into setting up a program similar to ones in Oregon and Tennessee. However, President Richards was quick to point out that Promise Plans are not 'free.'
"This is not free education," Richards said. "The taxpayer would have to invest in this just like they are in the other states that are looking at this."
Crystal Abba, Vice Chancellor, Nevada System of Higher Education; Michael Richards, President, College of Southern Nevada.
