Future Connect Expands Opportunities for Hillsboro Students

The Future Connect program at Portland Community College (PCC) empowers first-generation and low-income students by providing academic, financial, and career support. Each year, approximately 50 to 55 students from Hillsboro are awarded scholarships.

Since expanding to Hillsboro in 2013, Future Connect has served nearly 700 local students and is currently welcoming its newest cohort. Along the way, participants build meaningful connections with fellow Hillsboro students, creating a supportive community that helps them navigate college.

Future Connect staff actively recruit students who can benefit most from the program. Throughout the school year, they visit local high schools to share information and help seniors determine whether the program is the right fit. Interested students are encouraged to apply to PCC, submit the Future Connect application, and complete the FAFSA or ORSAA to be considered for admission.

A Scholarship & More

Through Future Connect, students receive scholarships for up to two years, but financial support is only one part of the program. Future Connect also offers personalized guidance from academic and career coaches who help students choose classes, explore career pathways, and overcome obstacles throughout their time at PCC. This combination of financial assistance and individualized support gives students the tools they need to graduate and prepare for the next stage of their education or career.

Future Connect alumna Alicia Rizo of Hillsboro credits the program with helping her succeed as a first-generation college student.

"Future Connect played a pivotal role in helping me navigate the unknowns of higher education," Alicia said. "While I always knew I wanted to pursue college, I lacked knowledge about the process."

Alicia's experience reflects the challenges many students face, and the guidance Future Connect provides to help them reach their goals.

Beyond graduation from PCC, Future Connect helps students plan for the future. Advisors provide individualized transfer guidance for students pursuing four-year degrees and connect others with trade and career education opportunities that align with their goals. PCC data shows that Future Connect leads to strong academic and career outcomes, preparing graduates to contribute valuable skills to the workforce.

Supporting Students & Communities

Future Connect is funded through a partnership between the State of Oregon and participating local cities. Originally established in Multnomah County, the program expanded to Hillsboro and Beaverton in 2013. Since then, the City of Hillsboro has contributed more than $1.5 million through Community Service Fee revenue generated by companies participating in the Enterprise Zone property tax abatement program, helping hundreds of local students achieve their educational and career goals.

Josh Laurie, Dean of College Success Programs, said, "When students succeed, families benefit and employers gain a more skilled workforce. All of this creates a vibrant community, and Future Connect plays a key role. While the program invests in individual students, it is also an investment in the future of the Hillsboro community."

By investing in Future Connect, the City of Hillsboro is strengthening its future workforce. The program equips students with the education, support, and confidence they need to succeed, creating lasting benefits for local employers, families, and the community for years to come.

Scholarship & Workforce Development Resources

Future Connect Portland Community College
Hillsboro Community Foundation
City of Hillsboro Workforce & Job Training
Hillsboro Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship
School to Career Program