Arnold Ventures awards $15.3M to boost San Jacinto College student success with support and financial aid

Arnold Ventures has awarded a $15.3 million grant to San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Texas, to bolster its Accelerated Study in Associate Program (ASAP) designed to improve graduation rates through intensive advising, emergency financial support, tutoring, and structured academic coaching. The initiative, modeled on the City University of New York’s CUNY ASAP program, will be integrated into SJC’s existing Promise Program, which covers outstanding tuition and expenses for eligible students. The funding will also increase advisor staffing to strengthen student support. Directed at students facing financial hardship and first-generation barriers, the program aims increase degree completion rates from 40% to 60%, improving graduates’ long-term economic mobility.