Published May 21, 2010<\/SPAN> An event aimed at helping students prepare for college or other education beyond high school is from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday in Pasco.<\/P> “College Bound Day” will include information on financial aid and presentations from Columbia Basin College and Washington State University Tri-Cities officials. <\/P> Seventh- and eighth-graders also will be able to sign up for the state College Bound Scholarship program, which provides tuition and books to students from low-income families who meet certain requirements. <\/P> Students must sign up for the scholarship by June 30 of their eighth-grade year.<\/P> “It motivates them to do well and plan for their education beyond high school,” said Janie Morales-Castro, a College Bound Scholarship counselor who covers the Tri-City area.<\/P> The event is being put on by the College Success Foundation, CBC and WSU Tri-Cities. About 200 students and their families are expected to attend.<\/P> Even if students aren’t eligible for the College Bound Scholarship, they’re encouraged to show up because there’s plenty of college readiness information to share, Morales-Castro said.<\/P> The College Bound Scholarship provides tuition and book money for students from low income families who keep up their grades and stay out of trouble through high school.<\/P> The scholarship can be used at public or private universities, community colleges or technical colleges in the state.<\/P> More than 3,300 students from the Tri-Cities already have taken the College Bound pledge.<\/P> Saturday’s event is at the Gjerde Center at CBC. There’s no charge.<\/P> For more information about the College Bound Scholarship, go to www.hecb.wa.gov\/collegebound<\/A><\/P>
By Sara Schilling, Tri-City Herald staff writer<\/P>