HOW RURAL COMMUNITIES AWARDED $44.5M TO IMPROVE POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION ACCESS & COMPLETION .... (819 hits)
For Immediate Release From USDE!
Biden-Harris Administration Awards $44.5 Million to Improve Postsecondary Education Access and Completion for Students in Rural Communities
The Biden-Harris Administration [recently] announced $44.5 million in grants to 22 institutions of higher education to improve rates of postsecondary education enrollment, persistence, and completion among students in rural communities. The Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development (RPED) grant program promotes the development of high-quality career pathways aligned to high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand industry sectors and occupations in the region.
In America's rural communities, only 29% of individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 are enrolled in higher education, compared to almost 48% of their counterparts in urban areas and 42% in suburban areas. In addition to navigating how to pay for college and the application process, students in rural areas face other barriers in accessing and completing college, including reliable transportation, food and housing insecurity, and access to health care and high-speed internet.
"The [recent] grants announced by the Biden-Harris administration reflect our commitment to empowering rural communities to build on their strengths, attract new investments, and prepare students for the high-skill, high-wage jobs of tomorrow," said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. "When we invest in postsecondary attainment in rural communities, we create pathways for students to find rewarding careers that do not require them to leave their hometowns for economic opportunity. These grant awards will help rural institutions Raise the Bar for student success and the attainment of valuable degrees and credentials that lead to brighter futures and greater prosperity."
[This recent] announcement builds on the Biden-Harris Administration and the U.S. Department of Education's (Department) commitment to students in rural America to have access to career pathways and higher education opportunities that lead to good-paying jobs right in their own communities. This funding also supports the Department's efforts to strengthen the process for students to transition from two-year to four-year institutions. Applicants for the RPED grant program were encouraged to provide programs and implement strategies that support community college students' transition to a four-year institution and that include partnerships that support career pathways for students.
The 2023 List of Grantees:
Alabama:
Athens State University will leverage instructional technology, comprehensive wrap-around student support, and innovative educational outreach strategies to provide rural students with flexible and accessible learning opportunities to help them to succeed in postsecondary education and high-paying careers. ($2,209,424)
Arizona:
Arizona Board of Regents, Arizona State University will provide appropriate grade level college and career awareness and planning activities including presentations and counseling activities; increased access to college courses; and summer learning programs involving real world project-based learning. ($2,227,498) Graham County Community College District will implement an early College Program for high school students, create a Career Service Center, and enhance rural school outreach for 8th-12th graders. ($2,197,555)
California:
College Bridge will provide students and educators access to college knowledge and workforce needs. ($2,196,928)
Illinois:
Board of Trustees of Western Illinois University will improve college readiness and access through cross-agency coordination with rural Local Education Agencies and the implementation of evidence-based and culturally relevant pedagogies and programming; increase first-year retention rates by improving support for incoming freshmen transitioning from rural high schools through evidence-based activities and academic and career advising; increase third-year persistence rates by developing an evidence-based and culturally responsive persistence program; and increase post-graduation employment rates by supporting workforce development and enhancing academic career pathways in rural culturally and linguistically diverse communities. ($2,211,294)
Northern Illinois University will employ collective impact across community partners for workforce development; create comprehensive student supports system; align faculty for guided pathways from high school to college; and implement career pathways. ($2,105,846)
