Northridge : CSUN Reaching Out to Middle School Kids

Cal State Northridge hopes to spark pre-high school kids’ interest in college and to give parents information on how to pay for their children’s education at a special program Wednesday on campus.

As part of “College Awareness Month,” CSUN’s Future Scholars Program will hold a higher-education information session targeting sixth- through ninth-graders and their parents.

Fidel Ramirez, a CSUN recruiter and coordinator of “College: Making It Happen,” said parents and students often start planning for college in the ninth grade or later in high school. But by then, he said, sometimes it’s difficult for the parents to raise money and for the students to accumulate enough credits or the right classes to get into the college of their choice.

This is why, he said, his staff planned the event for middle school students.

“We feel it’s important to get them at this age,” Ramirez said. “You need to start planning academically early on.”

Ramirez said the program will feature practical and easy-to-understand information about how to prepare academically and economically for college.

Representatives from local colleges will provide additional information and practical tips on how to prepare for higher education and will answer questions.

The free program will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the University Student Union, 18111 Nordhoff St. in Northridge. More information is available by calling (818) 885-2967.