American Student Assistance has announced $10.1 million in grants to 10 organizations focused on increasing access to post-high school career pathways and work-based learning opportunities for young adults.

The grants ranging from $250,000 to $1.5 million will help fund programs directed at diverse and underserved communities and offer learning experiences that lead to job skills and career paths, including both college and non-degree options.

Recipients include Big Picture Learning ($1.5 million over three years), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation ($1.5 million over three years), Jobs for the Future ($1.5 million); NAF (formerly National Academy Foundation) ($800,000 over two years), the Center for Black Educator Development ($400,000 over two years), Apprentice Learning ($300,000 over two years), Chica Project ($300,000 over three years), Flare Education ($300,000 over three years), the Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy ($290,000), and America Succeeds ($250,000).

“[M]any young people today are inadequately prepared to make informed, confident decisions about what they want to do after high school,” said Julie Lammers, ASA senior vice president, advocacy and corporate social responsibility. “[W]e’re looking to increase opportunity for young people to explore their interests through real-world career experiences, build skills to be workforce ready, and have the tools necessary to craft a well-informed postsecondary plan based on passions and ultimate career goals.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Seventy Four)