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.