Free College/Trade School for CCHS Students

A unique program announced this week, every Culver City High School students in the Class of 2020 will have the opportunity to apply to at least one four-year college or trade school at no cost to them.

This program, funded by through the Culver City Education Foundation, will give every eligible CCHS 2020 senior up to $100 to pay for a college or trade school application. To make sure every member of the Class of 2020 benefits from this opportunity, those enrolling in our local community colleges, West L.A. College or Santa Monica College, whose application is free, will receive a $50 gift card to the school’s bookstore upon verification of enrollment.

“The Class of 2020 will have a clear vision of a pathway beyond high school with this program,” said Culver City School Principal Dr. Lisa Cooper, who added that the program will use the #IApplied hashtag to celebrate the students as they select their schools. “We want to eliminate any barrier that may be preventing our seniors from applying to college or trade school, and this is a major step in that direction.” The #IApplied program is one of the first of its kind and fits in line with the school’s commitment to making sure every Centaur is College and Career ready.

“We want to make sure all CCUSD’s students are well-equipped for the next step of their educational career,” said Melanie Mack, executive director of the Culver City Education Foundation. “This program will enable students to explore educational pathways that take them to traditional four-year universities, but also to trade and technical schools that will equip students with competitive skills and practical knowledge for emerging industries and immediate employment.”

Cooper said that for many of the students on her campus the simple cost of filing an application with a school is cost-prohibitive and may force them to forego the next step in their education or career pathway. A recent college survey with the CCHS class of 2019 revealed that 41% of the graduating class stated that the college application fees prevented them from applying to more colleges. The #IApplied program will benefit all students in the class of 2020 and will open doors to more opportunities and bright futures.