Central Unified Students Get Direct Path to Fresno Pacific Through New Partnership

Fresno Pacific University and Central Unified School District celebrated the signing of a new partnership on September 25 that provides students with a guaranteed pathway to FPU.

The celebration included remarks from Fresno Pacific President André Stephens, Ph.D., and Central Unified Superintendent Mark E. Marshall, Ed.D., as well as a question-and-answer time from staff and students and photos with school mascots.

The partnership provides students from Central Unified with a streamlined pathway to attend FPU, including guaranteed admission, opportunities for scholarships and additional support.

In a social media post, Central Unified noted the benefit of this partnership to its students, saying it would make "the path to higher education more accessible." The district also stated, "We're proud to celebrate this milestone and the opportunities it will create for Central Unified students."

Under the new agreement, Central Unified students are guaranteed admission to Fresno Pacific if they have at least a 3.0 weighted cumulative GPA at the time of application and complete the university's application requirements. Admission to some programs, including social work and nursing, requires additional application and program-specific criteria.

Academic scholarships, as well as need-based aid based on FAFSA submission, will be available for graduating seniors who enroll directly in FPU's traditional undergraduate programs. Aid will be based on their FAFSA submission.

Students from Central Unified will also be invited to FPU Preview Days and other campus life events. FPU and Central Unified will also work together to host workshops covering topics such as financial aid, application completion and career counseling. In addition, FPU will provide admissions and financial aid staff at Central Unified high schools to help with recruitment, advising and application support.

"This partnership gives us the opportunity to invest in the future of Central Unified students," Stephens said. "We want them to know that a Fresno Pacific education is within their reach and that we will be there to support them as they take the next step toward college."

The agreement is part of FPU's Sunbird Flight Plan initiative, which partners with school districts to create direct pathways to Fresno Pacific for eligible high school students.

For more information on the Sunbird Flight Plan, visit fresno.edu/flightplan

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