College Visions gets $2,500 from BankRI

PROVIDENCE – To help aspiring low-income and first generation college students, Bank Rhode Island has awarded a $2,500 grant to College Visions to support its College Access and College Success programs.
College Visions, which recently celebrated a 10-year anniversary, is a nonprofit committed to helping low-income and first generation students enter, succeed in, and graduate from college. The organization is dedicated to closing the gap for students from economically-disadvantaged households by providing advising and access to resources.
“We are proud to continue our support of College Visions, which allows us to help students realize their dream of going to college,” said Mark J. Meiklejohn, president and CEO of BankRI. “Many of these students will be the first in their families to go on to college.”
College Visions’ College Access Program is currently working with 69 high school seniors, guiding them through each step of the admissions process. Students meet weekly with their staff advisor to develop college lists, register for the SATs, produce creative essays, and work on financial aid applications. The organization also coordinates a series of spring and fall campus visits.
The College Success Program is serving 255 college students during the current year – each representing a graduate of the College Access Program. Each student receives individualized coaching that provides the support they need while on campus to persist and graduate.
“BankRI has not only been an important partner for eight of College Visions’ 10 years, they’ve also shown an inspiring commitment to expanding college access for disadvantaged youth,” said Simon Moore, executive director of College Visions. “As a result, 150 of our students have earned a degree and over 300 more are on the path to graduation.”
Bank Rhode Island, a subsidiary of Brookline Bancorp, Inc. operates 19 branches and more than 60 ATMs throughout Providence, Kent and Washington counties.