Grants aid disabled students

By Darcy Arizmendi

With grants from the U.S. Department of Education, East and Desert Vista campuses will each receive $220,000 a year for the next five years to fund two new student programs.

At East Campus, a program titled Students with Opportunities for Achievement and Retention, or SOAR, will help 100 students who have disabilities, including disabled veterans.

SOAR services include academic tutoring, enhanced advising, assistance to promote transfer to four-year colleges and universities, help in applying for financial aid and financial literacy training.

At Desert Vista Campus, the Graduation, Retention Academic Standing and Transfer, or GReAT, program will serve 140 low-income, first-generation or disabled students.

The program includes a personal plan for each participant, and will monitor progress throughout their PCC enrollment.