CMPC and Formando Chile Launch Free College Prep Program for Students from Laja and San Rosendo

Students from the municipalities of Laja and San Rosendo have begun their participation in the free college preparatory program promoted by CMPC in partnership with Formando Chile, marking the start of a process aimed at expanding access to educational opportunities in areas where they have historically been more limited.

In total, 138 young people will be part of this initiative: 124 from Liceo Héroes de la Concepción in Laja and 14 from Liceo Isidora Aguirre in San Rosendo, who will receive academic support to better prepare for their future in higher education.

This in-person program, which is part of EFIES (Training School for Entry into Higher Education), will provide on-the-ground academic support, facilitating access for those facing greater connectivity challenges or requiring closer guidance, reaffirming the commitment of the involved institutions to a more inclusive and relevant education.

Maite Santander, a student at Liceo Héroes de la Concepción in Laja and a beneficiary of the program, valued the impact of the free college prep program promoted by CMPC, highlighting that it represents a concrete opportunity for those who lack the resources to access private preparation. “I think it’s a very valuable resource, especially for those who can’t afford a prep course,” she noted.

Along those lines, she added that “this type of initiative truly opens doors and makes a difference,” also thanking the expansion of the scholarship and the sustained commitment to students.

During the launch event, which brought together students, parents, and organizing teams, the impact of such initiatives on educational equity was emphasized, enabling young people from different areas to have concrete tools to plan their entry into higher education.

In this context, CMPC highlighted the value of this program as an opportunity to support students at a key stage in their lives, strengthening their skills and expanding their future possibilities.

“For us, it’s very important to give this initial push and launch a new edition of the online college prep program. Today, we are supporting high school seniors at a crucial stage, providing them with tools and knowledge to face the PAES and plan their entry into higher education,” said Cristóbal Palazuelos, the company’s Submanager of Community Relations.

In this way, the college prep program reflects a strategy aimed at reducing gaps and creating real opportunities for young people in Biobío, bringing higher education closer to those who need it most.