U.S. Department of Education Awards More Than $5.9 Million in Grants to Help Migrant Students

Press Release

The U.S. Department of Education awarded more than $5.9 million to programs in 9 states in support of education for high school and college students who are migrant or seasonal farm workers, or the children of such workers. The five-year grants are awarded under the High School Equivalency Program (HEP) and the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) through the Department's Office of Migrant Education. Funding below is for the first year of the grant.

"The students helped by HEP and CAMP are some of the most motivated learners in America," U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said. "These grants will help hardworking farmworkers and their families obtain the quality education that they need to compete in the 21st century global economy."

HEP grants help migrant and seasonal farmworkers, and members of their immediate families obtain general education diplomas that meet the guidelines for high school equivalency established by the state in which the HEP project is conducted. In addition, the program helps migrant youth gain employment or be placed in an institution of higher education or other postsecondary education or training. Services provided include counseling, job placement, health care and housing for residential students. The program serves more than 5,000 students annually.

CAMP grants support students who are migratory or seasonal farm workers, or the children of such workers, during their first year of undergraduate studies and to continue in postsecondary education. The program serves approximately 2,000 students annually.

More information about HEP and CAMP, and other migrant education programs is available at http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oese/ome/index.html.

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