Despite the overwhelming majority of middle school students who say they plan to attend college, the truth is only 54 percent of Utah high school graduates enroll in postsecondary education immediately after graduation.

The rate drops further to 41 percent for low-income students.

In an effort to increase those numbers, the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) has partnered with Taylorsville, Cottonwood, and Kearns high schools to pilot College Application Week – an initiative designed to increase the number of low-income and first-generation students applying for college.

“The counselors, teachers and administrators in these schools are using this week to enhance their college-going culture by helping students realize the expectation of attending college is the next step after high school,” said Judy Petersen, director of College and Career Readiness.

The schools have been preparing and promoting the event for several weeks; recruiting volunteers, reserving computer labs, and working with USHE to provide fee waivers and donations to pay application fees for low-income students.

The pilot project is part of the American College Application Campaign – a national effort to increase the number of first-generation and low-income students pursuing higher education credentials. Click here for more information.