Santa Ana College to Receive Grant

U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Garden Grove) on Tuesday announced a $2.2-million grant for Santa Ana College as part of a federally funded program to boost higher education for Latino students.

The college is among 45 higher-learning institutions nationwide with significant Latino populations that competed to receive $19.4 million over the next five years. Fullerton College will receive $1.9 million.

“The issue of educating Hispanics is not just a Hispanic issue,” Sanchez told a crowd at Santa Ana College. “It is an important issue for all Americans.”

Other California campuses awarded grants are Palo Verde Community College in Blythe, Woodbury University in Burbank, Southwestern College in Chula Vista, Cal State Los Angeles, Los Angeles City College, Mt. St Mary’s College in Los Angeles, Modesto Community College in Modesto, Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena, Reedley College in Reedley, San Diego State University Foundation, San Jose State’s National Hispanic University, Glendale Community College, Ventura College and Cal State San Bernardino.

Sanchez, the first Latina elected to Congress from Orange County, was lauded by Santa Ana College officials as being instrumental in securing the funds for that campus.

The U.S. Department of Education provides millions of dollars every year for colleges and universities that serve large minority student populations. Two-year and four-year colleges where Latinos are at least 25% of the student population, and at least half of those from low-income families, qualify for the federal grants. Such institutions are designated Hispanic Servicing Institutions.

About 200 of them across the nation will receive $68.5 million this year in federal funds for various programs, including the $19.4 million for staff development, tutoring and community outreach.

Santa Ana College is part of Sanchez’s 46th Congressional District and has about 27,000 students, 41% of whom are Latino. Fullerton College, with 21,000 students, is about 30% Latino.

The money will provide extra tutoring and staff training on subjects such as English as a second language, English, reading and math, for all students, not just Latinos, school officials said.

“It is the difference between getting by and being able to really enhance the instructional services,” said Janet Portolan, Fullerton College vice president of education support and planning.