Programs

A College Degree for First-Generation Students

"Bright Futures provides opportunities, a platform, and security that as
first-generation college students it is valid for us to dream, and one day our dreams will be our reality."

- Sadie Ortiz, PCHS Class of 2019

Bright Futures Stories & More 

ABOUT

Bright Futures Changes Lives: Motivated First-Gen Students Get To and Through College

Bright Futures is a comprehensive, multi-year program that equips first-generation students with the full spectrum of “college knowledge” so they can get to - and through! - post-secondary education. 

First, most of our students work with PCHS' Dream Big, which provides year-round college-readiness curriculum.

Bright Futures helps with choosing the right college, how to apply, creating and following budgets, how to find the right scholarships, family support, how to work through financial aid forms, one-on-one individualized coaching, peer support, financial assistance, and more. A bit later, the BF team helps students tackle challenges like transportation to college classes and unexpected obstacles and expenses, which organizers cite as some of the biggest challenges. 

Essentially, Bright Futures walks alongside Park City's first-generation students as they prepare for, succeed in, and graduate college. We make a long-term commitment to support students from 10th grade through college graduation - a minimum of seven years!

“Dream Big gets us to college, Bright Futures gets us through college. They’re each a community that comes together to form an even bigger community.”

- Jose Hernandez-Bello PCHS Class of 2023

STUDENT IMPACT → "DREAM BIG GETS US TO COLLEGE"

Most Bright Futures Students "Dream Big" 

Together, Dream Big and Bright Futures provide a full spectrum of support for PCHS students who are the first in their families to go to college.

Dream Big (10th - 12th grades) ensures Park City’s motivated first-generation students have what they need to get TO college. Students work their way through rigorous academic curriculum (year-round!), to prepare themselves to succeed in AP and concurrent enrollment classes.

A network of PCHS teachers ensures students receive expert subject prep and year-long support.

Students and their families work with Dream Big and Bright Futures staff on everything from preparing for college, choosing the right school, creating and following college budgets, finding scholarships, completing financial aid forms, touring campuses, and gathering dorm room essentials.  

STUDENT IMPACT → "BRIGHT FUTURES GETS US THROUGH COLLEGE"

Multi-faceted, Long-term Support
Once students are in college the PCEF Bright Futures team continues comprehensive one-on-one coaching, mentoring, and resourcing until BF students get ALL THE WAY THROUGH college - a minimum of seven years per student! Coaching may focus on how to ask for help, how to find and access resources, how to set up for career success through internships, emergency assistance, and more.

This year, with 8 first-ever BF college graduates, that support is again expanding. The BF staff has added professional development support as a resource for students as they embark on their careers.

Soft Skills, Strong Impact 
How to ask for help. How to find and access resources. How to build critical support networks. Interviewing and interning successfully. Then - Bright Futures collegians (and now graduates!) become mentors themselves, giving back to the program and inspiring generations of students.

Critical Numbers
Bright Futures Park City launched in 2016, after a three-year research period conducted by PCEF. 2023/23 marks the 8th year for the program, which has nearly 150 students enrolled*.

8 Bright Futures students graduated from college in Spring 2023. They were very first to do so in the BF initiative, and, most significantly, the very first to do so in their families!

• Bright Futures college students have collectively achieved a 90% progression rate!
• Nationally, only 11% of first-generation students battling income barriers graduate with a bachelor's degree by age 24...

*August 2023

PCEF DONOR IMPACT

PCEF donors provide program support, professional development opportunities, tuition assistance, and, sometimes, emergency aid. This helps our hard-working first-generation students bridge the gap between actual college expenses and what is covered by scholarships, financial aid, and students' jobs.

Your impact so far:

• 98% matriculation rate straight from Park City High School (compared to 52% nationwide)...
• 100% of BF Park City students accepted into two or more colleges...
• 90% college retention rate (vs a nat'l college graduation rate of 11% for first-gen students battling structural income barriers.)

These numbers are especially remarkable considering the negative impacts of the COVID crisis. Plus, the Associated Press reports: the pay gap between college grads and high school grads is the highest it has ever been.

Bright Futures' goal is to help every first-generation student achieve their dream of college graduation. With a college degree, these future leaders will support their families and make our community stronger. Your generosity changes students’ lives and economic position for generations to come.

Please consider an investment in first-generation students' college dreams!

Learn about the Michael and Sandrina Villegas Range First Generation Hispanic Scholarship

Mejorar las Posibilidades de los Estudiantes Universitarios de la Primera Generación de Park City

“El programa Futuros Brillantes ofrece oportunidades, una plataforma y la seguridad de que, como estudiantes universitarios de primera generación, es válido que soñemos, y que un día nuestros sueños serán nuestra realidad"

- Sadie Ortiz, Escuela Secundaria Park City, Clase de 2019

Conozca la Beca Michael y Sandrina Villegas Rango de Primera Generación Hispana