Arlington ISD launches Go Center program with colleges

By Regina Corley

Officials of Arlington ISD and The University of Texas at Arlington and Texas Woman’s University have forged a partnership to raise awareness and interest in post-secondary education. The collaborative college-readiness program operates several “Go centers” at Arlington ISD campuses. These centers allow the district to provide on-site support for students and parents who want to know more about college opportunities. A P-16 council manages each center’s offerings.

The Go Center partnership came about partially through grant opportunities. Go centers have been established at four high schools: Arlington, Lamar and Seguin high schools have a partnership with The University of Texas at Arlington; Bowie High School has a partnership with Texas Woman’s University. The centers are part of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s College for Texans campaign, which aims to enroll 630,000 more students in higher education in Texas by 2015.

Specifically, the centers provide students and parents with college access and financial aid information needed to plan and prepare for college, such as FAFSA forms, the Texas Common Application and community college applications. Go Center sponsors, school personnel and volunteers help students and parents complete the necessary steps for college acceptance.

The Go Center program also incorporates peer education, introducing high school students to college students to promote the college-going message. First-generation college students are essential to this mentoring process. Having recently gone through the process themselves, college students can help younger generations with tips on test preparation, financial aid and admissions processes and other concerns associated with going to college. Most importantly, the college students make it clear to high school hopefuls that college is affordable, possible and desirable for all students.