South Central Career Center will be awarded the College Access Challenge Grant through the Missouri Department of Higher Education.  As an educational institution in the 10^th poorest congressional district in the United States, SCCC has traditionally faced an uphill battle in promoting postsecondary education and financial literacy.  Only 12 percent of the adult population in the region it serves has a college degree, and half of its students are first generation college students. Ninety-five percent receive financial aid, and many work full time while attending school.

Receiving the grant will allow SCCC to hire an Outreach and Placement Specialist to travel around the community and the four-county service area it serves to promote opportunities in education. Additionally, SCCC will be able to assist in consortium students in FAFSA completion, begin a student ambassador program, and encourage area residents and students to go on to post secondary education.  This is the first year SCCC has received this grant and is one of 20 recipients along with Missouri State University - West Plains who has received the grant for the last three years.  SCCC is the only career center in Missouri to receive the grant.