Jennifer Burns understands the importance of a plan.

The Boothbay Region High School guidance counselor knows that when students have a plan in place early, they tend to follow it.

“We’re really excited about it,” she said. “The goal is to make college more accessible, and we’re glad we could get (the grant).”

The funding came from the Maine College Access Challenge Grant (MCACG), which is a member of the College Access Challenge Grant Program (CACGP).  The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) selected the schools.

According to Angela Dostie, FAME programs and policy manager, CACGP’s purpose is to “encourage partnerships among federal, state and local governments that are aimed at increasing the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in post-secondary education.”

In 2008 and 2009, Maine was awarded $330,000 per year for grants. In 2010, that number was boosted to $1.5 million, where it currently sits.

Dostie said the federal funding will remain flat for the next 2 years.

That money is split between different school programs, whose goal is to make college accessible, Dostie said.

“For this application cycle, FAME received 31 applications for grant funds, and we awarded 16 applicants,” she said, adding that the recipients were chosen based on the strength of their proposal, the ability to facilitate and maintain a program, anticipated outcomes demonstrated past success as well as the experience of the staff. “Boothbay High School scored high enough in each category to be awarded a grant.”

Burns said the bulk of the money received will be channeled into the computer lab, with a special emphasis on aiding and assisting the Naviance program.

The Naviance program, which is new to Boothbay Region High School this year, is an invaluable tool when it comes to college selection and questions, Burns said. Naviance helps align students with colleges and programs, and helps with selection.

The program can be accessed by students, teachers and guidance counselors and helps students align themselves with colleges that could be a potential fit, Burns said.

The program can also refer students to colleges that would be a potential fit for grades, activities and test scores.

Burns said studies have shown that students who work on a plan early in their high school careers typically follow through on that path.

Naviance is one way students can be placed on a path early, Burns said.

“I like to work with kids starting in the ninth grade with their vision to the future,” she said. “I like to see what they have envisioned for their future and what needs to happen for them to achieve their goals. Having a plan is the first step.”

Burns said one of Naviance’s best attributes is that no one is left out; a fit is also found no matter the students’ test scores or grade point average.

“The nice thing is, is that it never comes up with ‘No,’” she said. “Some kids who might have written off college because it was too expensive, or they didn’t think they had the grades.

“It shows them that it’s in their reach.”

Ben Bulkeley can be reached at 633-4620, bbulkeley@boothbayregister.com or follow him on Twitter @BBRegisterBen.