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13 enrolled in Admission Possible win Gates scholarships

Last update: April 29, 2008 - 11:04 PM

THE LATEST: At least 13 Gates Millennium Scholarships awarded to Minnesota seniors for college next fall are going to students enrolled in Admission Possible, a St. Paul organization that helps low-income students through the college-admissions process.

WHERE THE WINNERS ARE: Of Minneapolis' eight winners, five are from Henry High School and two are from Roosevelt. Other winners include one from Robbinsdale Armstrong High School and two from Arlington and Johnson high schools in St. Paul.

The total number of 2008 Gates scholars in Minnesota was not available.

The full-ride scholarship to the college of the student's choice can be renewed, in some cases, to complete schooling through a doctoral degree, and it also includes leadership development opportunities. It was started in 1999 with a $1 billion grant from Bill and Melinda Gates.

LAST YEAR'S WINNERS: Last year, nine Minnesota students received Gates scholarships; four went to Admission Possible students.

HORATIO ALGER PRIZES: And 34 of the state's 42 Horatio Alger scholarships -- a $4,000 grant funded by the Carl and Eloise Pohlad Family Foundation -- were claimed by Admission Possible students. Two of them won a national Horatio Alger scholarship, which included a trip to an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., earlier this month.

ADMISSION POSSIBLE pairs students with newly graduated coaches, who guide them through test preparation and the college and financial aid application process. So far, the program's 556 graduating seniors have won more than 150 scholarships, and more are expected. Last year's seniors won more than $1.2 million in private scholarships.

MARIA ELENA BACA