The College Planning Program is established to do all of the following:

1. (1) Reduce the number of students who withdraw from high school before graduation.
2. (2) Reduce the number of students who fail to begin planning for a postsecondary educational path upon entering high school.
3. (3) Increase the number of high school students who are prepared to enter postsecondary educational institutions in this State upon graduation.
4. (4) Increase the number of students attaining a quality postsecondary credential within 6 years after graduation from high school.
5. (5) Assist this State in meeting the workforce needs of the future.
6. (6) Encourage students to attend postsecondary educational institutions in this State by increasing awareness of the need-based, financial aid programs available to State residents attending postsecondary educational institutions in this State.
7. (7) Increase timely financial aid application rates among students from the lowest economic quintiles in this State.
8. (8) Proactively counsel potential college students to make the most efficient and effective use of need-based, grant funding distributed under the Monetary Award Program under Section 35 of the Higher Education Student Assistance Act.
9. (9) Intervene beginning in 8th grade to aggressively promote postsecondary education as a positive alternative to less socially and economically desirable behaviors and options that young students may consider instead of college preparation.

(Source: P.A. 97-289, eff. 8-10-11.)