In a bid to boost college enrollment rates, states are sniffing ways to get their people off the couch and into admissions offices.

Propelled by a statewide mandate and goals- and with key stakeholders, resources and programs aligned-several states have successfully launched branded college readiness campaigns. These campaigns use well-crafted messages, slogans and logos that consistently identify them, their marketing resources and outreach tools. Savvy corporations market this way and states increasingly are following their lead.

January 2008.   The U.S. Department of Education announces the College Access Challenge Grants program, a matching grant program to support states’ efforts to help underserved students and parents learn about, prepare for, and finance postsecondary education.