Congressman Panetta Announces $600,000 Grant to Prepare Latino UCSC and CSUMB Students for Graduate Studies

WASHINGTON, DC – On Tuesday, September 29 Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) announced $599,867 in grant funding that will benefit UC Santa Cruz and CSU Monterey Bay students. The funding will be used for the Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans (PPOHA) Program to help Latino UCSC and CSUMB students prepare for and succeed in graduate programs. “As more Hispanic and Latino students pursue higher education, we must ensure they have the tools they need for academic success,” said Congressman Panetta. “The PPOHA program will prepare these students for readiness and success at the postbaccalaureate level. I am especially proud to announce this critical funding during Hispanic Heritage Month as Latino students continue to enrich the Central Coast with their achievements.” In the last week, Congressman Panetta has announced over $1.9 million in grant funding to benefit Central Coast students seeking higher education, including a $1 million grant to benefit local middle and high school students. Congressman Panetta requested $35 million for PPOHA program and secured $155 million for Hispanic Serving Institutions in this year’s House appropriations bill.