More than 2,500 high school seniors statewide will receive assistance in applying to a University of Hawaiʻi System campus as part of College Application Exploration Season (CAES). An initiative of Hawaiʻi P–20 Partnerships for Education, CAES encourages high school seniors, particularly prospective first-generation college students from low-income families, to apply to at least one college before they graduate from high school, giving every student the option to continue their education and attain a college degree.
“In order to reach the state’s goal of 55 percent of working age adults with a 2- or 4-year college degree by 2025, it is essential that our young people pursue postsecondary education, whether that means a four-year university, a community college or other additional training beyond receiving their high school diploma,” says Karen Lee, executive director, Hawaiʻi P–20 Partnerships for Education. “We must encourage our students to pursue education beyond high school, or as a state, we won’t be positioned for competitiveness in the 21st century. Helping students with their college applications is a key component.”
CAES is part of the American College Application Campaign, a national initiative to increase the number of first-generation and low-income college students pursuing a college degree. As of 2014, all 50 states and the District of Columbia are participating in this effort.
During CAES application events, local volunteers and staff from the University of Hawaiʻi campuses, other Hawaiʻi colleges and community organizations will work with 14 high schools statewide over the next few months to plan activities that encourage their seniors to complete a college application. The schools participating this year include: Castle High School, Farrington High School, Kahuku High School, Kailua High School, Kaimuki High School, Kalaheo High School, Ke Kula ʻo Ehunuikaimalino, Kohala High School, McKinley High School, Nānākuli Intermediate and High School, Roosevelt High School, Waialua Intermediate and High School, Waipahu High School and Waiʻanae High School.
For a list of dates for upcoming events happening statewide, please go to the Hawaiʻi P–20 website.
