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| STUDENT ANALYSIS | IMPACT | RETENTION| ETHNICITY | GENDER | COLLEGES ATTENDED | FIELD OF INTEREST | CREDIT HOURS | GPA | EMPLOYMENT STATUS | TUITION |

RISING STAR PROGRAM

The Dallas County Community College District's Rising Star program enters its ninth year of providing financial assistance for a free college education to eligible graduating high school seniors in Dallas County. In 1999, Rising Star was created to stem the tide of high school graduates unable to go to college due to lack of finances.

Rising Star provides scholarships of up to $4,000 for tuition and books for a maximum of three years to Dallas County high school seniors who graduate with a “B” average or better or have passed the required college assessment test and show economic need.

Through the years, the Rising Star program has taken young adults away from the streets or low-paying jobs and put them into college classrooms. These students become successful citizens of Dallas County who contribute to their communities.

RISING STAR HIGHLIGHTS:  

  • More than 9,000 Rising Star students have enrolled in the DCCCD since the program's inception.
  • Based on the method of tracking the completion and persistence of college students over a six-year period, Rising Star students have performed equal to or better than their peers. Of the 952 Rising Star students who enrolled their first year in fall 2001, approximately 60 percent have graduated with a degree or certificate, have transferred or are still enrolled in the DCCCD.
  • A total of 2,816 Rising Star students enrolled in Fall 2007.
  • Rising Star continues to maintain an ethnically diverse student population with high financial need. Of the total Rising Star students attending college in Fall 2007, 95 percent are minorities.Fifty-nine (59) percent of the Rising Star's current students are receiving additional state or federal funds.
Please view the links above to see the most recent snapshot of our Rising Star students and other information.

Download a condensed print-friendly presentation of this report. (PDF 245kb) 

Thornton Op-Ed Piece: Making College Accessible

 

Dallas County Community College District Foundation Inc. | 701 Elm Street | Suite 700 | Dallas, TX 75202 - 3299