Austin Community College (ACC) has partnered with the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation to help fund the college's Career Scholars program for graduating high school students.

The Foundation announced it would pledge $1.25 million over five years at the February 3 ACC Board of Trustees' meeting.

"Thank you to the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation for their investment and support of Austin Community College, and our students, because what they are funding is the wraparound support services that really help to make sure that these students are going to be successful," says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC president/CEO.

Under the Career Scholars program, graduating high school students receive a scholarship for $5,000 and personalized support all the way from enrollment to completion.

"We rarely have extended multi-year grants, so this is really exciting for us to be able to do this and really commit to the long term to not only catalyze your work in Career Scholars, but to be there over the five years to ensure a sustainable support system," says Virginia Potter, Central Texas portfolio director for the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation.

Applications are now open for the Career Scholars program. Learn more at austincc.edu/career-scholars.