Indiana Commission for Higher Education Awards Valpo $149,109 for Persistence and Success Program

Valparaiso University has secured $149,109 from the Indiana Commission on Higher Education to fund a program to help more low-income students graduate from college.

Valpo’s Persistence and Success Program is open to 21st Century Scholars and Frank O’Bannon Scholars, many of whom are first-generation students. The program focuses on transition-to-college, academic and social support, career preparation, and financial literacy.

After successfully completing the program as freshmen, Valpo Persistence Scholars will be eligible for a $500 scholarship during their sophomore year. Each participant will benefit from personalized attention including:

  • One-on-one monthly meetings with a faculty or staff mentor
  • One-on-one appointment each semester with a Financial Aid advisor
  • Participation in SMART Connections – a peer mentoring program
  • Participation in Career Center activities and Strengths Quest Assessment
  • Enrollment in Strategies for Academic Success course
  • Opportunities to meet new friends and establish long-term relationships with faculty, staff, deans, advisors, and fellow students

The funding is part of a $1.8 million commitment from the Indiana Commission on Higher Education to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in post-secondary education.

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