Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) has been awarded a $1.375 million federal grant to help hundreds of Chelsea Public Schools students prepare for and pursue postsecondary education and career opportunities.
The five-year grant, running from October 2026 through September 2031, will enable BHCC’s TRIO Talent Search Program to serve 550 students each year at Chelsea High School, Wright Science and Technology Academy, and Browne Middle School. The program provides academic, personal, and financial guidance to students who are potential first-generation college students and/or from low-income households, helping them graduate from high school and take the next step toward college, career training, and other postsecondary opportunities.
“Expanding access to higher education is at the core of BHCC’s mission, and for more than a decade, TRIO Talent Search has helped Chelsea students see themselves as college students and build a pathway toward that future,” said BHCC President Pam Eddinger. “This new investment recognizes the impact of that work and allows BHCC to deepen it. We are proud to partner with Chelsea Public Schools to help more students graduate prepared for college, career and the opportunities that follow.”
This U.S. Department of Education grant, administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, builds on a partnership between BHCC and the Chelsea community that dates to 2012. Over the years, TRIO Talent Search has provided thousands of Chelsea students with academic advising, tutoring, career exploration, college visits, financial literacy, financial-aid counseling, and assistance with college applications. The program also engages families through events and activities designed to make postsecondary education more accessible.
“From its work in our middle schools through the impact it makes at Chelsea High School, TRIO Talent Search has continued to be an invaluable partner for Chelsea Public Schools,” said Superintendent Dr. Almi G. Abeyta. “Bunker Hill’s work with our students directly contributes to the vision of our school district: that every student will graduate college and career ready. I am grateful that TRIO Talent Search will continue to serve the students of Chelsea for years to come.”
“Chelsea High School is proud to partner with TRIO Talent Search to expand opportunities and support our students as they plan for college and their future careers,” said Chelsea High School Principal Alan Beausoleil. “This continued federal investment recognizes the importance of programs that help students see what is possible, remove barriers, and provide the guidance and encouragement they need to reach their goals. We are grateful for this partnership and the difference it makes in the lives of our students and their families.”
Under the new grant, students will receive individualized advising and case management addressing course selection, career exploration, financial planning, and college applications. The program will provide high-impact tutoring and financial literacy instruction, as well as college tours and other activities designed to expand students’ awareness of postsecondary and workforce opportunities.
With more than 50 years of academic excellence, Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) is one of Massachusetts’ most impactful institutions of higher education, serving over 20,000 students annually. With campuses in Charlestown and Chelsea, BHCC offers a broad range of educational opportunities throughout Greater Boston. BHCC fosters a welcoming and supportive learning environment for students by offering associate degrees and certificates, early college and dual enrollment, community education, corporate training, and industry-specific workforce programs.