A program started in southwestern Connecticut is being credited with doubling the rate graduation rate for low-income community college students.

The program is called the Family Economic Security Program, or FESP.

Nancy von Euler is with Fairfield County's Community Foundation. The group assigns students mentors for academics and finances. She says FESP participants are twice as likely to graduate community college and six times more likely to move onto a four-year school.

In some cases, FESP will even pay for car repairs and other emergency expenses.

Currently, the program is only offered at Housatonic Community College, but schools such as Norwalk Community college are offering many of the same services.