​The College Access Challenge Grant (CACG) Program is a federal formula grant designed to foster partnerships among federal, state, and local governments and philanthropic entities to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in post secondary education (Wiche, Dec. 2011).​

​

Currently, there are three schools within the state of Idaho who have "Near Peer" mentors funded by CACG. Idaho's Near Peer Mentoring Program has been modeled after Alaska program. Services to students at Weiser High School in Weiser, Idaho and Payette High School in Payette, Idaho began during the 2010 fall semester, later followed by Post Falls High School in Post Falls, Idaho in the 2012 fall semester.

 

In the Fall of 2013, three additional College and Career mentors have been added in the following high schools in Northern Idaho: Sandpoint High School, Timberlake High School, and Lakeland High School.

​