St. Paul-based College Possible (formerly College Forward) has announced a $6 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies to expand its near-peer college access and success coaching program to high schools in Texas.

Funding for the Expanding College Access in Texas Initiative will double the number of students College Possible assists in applying to and graduating from college in Texas from the current 6,000 to approximately 12,000 by 2025. In addition, the grant will bolster College Possible’s existing partnerships with colleges and government agencies statewide.

To help close gaps in college access and completion for low-income high school and college students, College Possible trains and deploys AmeriCorps service members as mentors and provides high-quality, tech-enabled virtual coaching alongside in-person support services delivered through participating school districts.

“This statewide expansion will make it possible to serve students in communities across Texas, including a focus on rural communities, helping them to navigate the complex and often daunting process of applying to and enrolling in college,” said College Possible vice president of college and career Scott Del Rossi. “This is about breaking down barriers to college access, success, and career entry for more young people across Texas.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/SDI Productions)