Latest news with #PellGrant-eligible
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Delta State University offers full tuition for eligible students
CLEVELAND, Miss. (WJTV) – Delta State University (DSU) announced a new initiative aimed at expanding college access and reducing financial barriers for Mississippi families. Beginning in Fall 2025, the Delta State Free Tuition Scholarship will cover 100% of tuition for Pell Grant-eligible, first-time freshmen. Mississippi State launches all-new dining for fall 'We believe that a student's financial situation should never be a barrier to earning a college degree,' said DSU President Dr. Daniel J. Ennis. 'This scholarship reinforces our mission to empower students and invest in the future of our communities.' Officials said the Free Tuition Scholarship ensures that all tuition costs are fully covered by combining a student's federal Pell Grant with any other earned scholarships. If there is any remaining balance, Delta State covers it-eliminating out-of-pocket tuition costs for qualifying students. The scholarship is renewable for up to four years (eight semesters), as long as the student remains Pell Grant-eligible and maintains academic progress toward a degree. Students and families interested in learning more about the Free Tuition Scholarship and how to apply can visit or contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@ Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Forbes
14-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Gates Scholarships Will No Longer Be Restricted To Minority Students
The Gates Foundation has announced it will no longer limit eligibility for its prestigious ... More scholarship to minority students, The Gates Foundation will no longer restrict eligibility for its prestigious Gates Scholarships to minority students. The surprise decision came just two weeks after the American Alliance for Equal Rights, led by conservative activist attorney Ed Blum, had filed a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service urging it to investigate the legality of the Gates Foundation's and two other foundations' tax-exempt status. That complaint 'alleged that the scholarship's restriction constituted invidious racial discrimination in violation of federal law, IRS regulations and longstanding Supreme Court precedent,' according to Blum in his opinion piece in the April 13 Wall Street Journal. According to the Gates website, the awards have been a 'highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding, minority, high school seniors from low-income households.' The following criteria were listed: Additionally, recipients had to plan to enroll full-time, in a four-year degree program, at a US accredited, not-for-profit, private or public college or university. However, in a new statement added to its webpage, the Foundation indicates it has changed those requirements. 'The Gates Foundation's mission is to create a world where every person has the opportunity to live a healthy and productive life,' the statement begins. It then adds, 'we take our compliance obligations seriously to ensure we can operate in service of this mission. In September 2024, we began evaluating our Gates Scholarship program to ensure the program was reaching the broadest range of low-income students. It has been decided to expand eligibility to all Pell Grant-eligible students in order to achieve this goal. In the future, Gates Scholarship recipients will be selected through the expanded eligibility criteria.' The Gates Scholarships were established in 2017, as a successor to the Gates Millennium Scholarship Program. Since then, about 300 scholarships have been awarded annually. The awards cover the full cost of college attendance — tuition, fees, room and board, transportation, and books — up to the amount that's not paid by other financial aid and an expected family contribution. Blum said the Foundation's amended criteria had 'seismic implications," adding that it 'didn't wait for the IRS to bring an administrative action questioning its tax-exempt status. It blinked—and implicitly conceded a fundamental legal point: Race-based exclusions are incompatible with the privilege of federal tax exemption.' He described the Foundation's changed requirements as 'commendable but reactive. A more proactive, systemic approach is required. The IRS should issue clear guidance that makes explicit what the law and precedent already command: tax-exempt status is a privilege conditioned on colorblind nondiscrimination, not a shield for racial engineering, however well-intended it purports to be.' On January 21, President Donald Trump issued an executive order 'Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Base Opportunity' terminating diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in the federal government and ordering federal agencies to investigate 'publicly traded corporations, large non-profit corporations or associations, foundations with assets of 500 million dollars or more, State and local bar and medical associations, and institutions of higher education with endowments over 1 billion dollars' for their civil rights compliance. Since then, several statues, scores of universities, and numerous private organizations have announced they have ended a wide range of programs intended to benefit ethnic and racial minorities.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Students from Pa. private colleges advocated for financial aid
AICUP President Tom Foley speaks in the rotunda of the capitol in Harrisburg (Capital-Star photo by Ian Karbal) On Wednesday, roughly 150 students from independent colleges and universities across Pennsylvania gathered in Harrisburg to advocate for student aid funding. It was part of the annual AICUP (Association of Independent Colleges & Universities of Pennsylvania) Day at the Capitol. They travelled from over 25 schools to help convince lawmakers to continue or increase funding financial aid programs that support students in the state attending private schools like theirs. 'Programs like PHEAA [Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency] and Ready to Succeed are the reason I can stay at my school and have the opportunity to speak on its behalf today,' Dustin McMullen, a 21-year-old Seton Hill student, said in the rotunda. 'I stand here today, and I urge policy makers and stakeholders to continue investing in programs like PHEAA and ready to succeed.' He said the crowd, made up of fellow college students, administrators, lobbyists and journalists, was larger than his class at Rocky Grove high school in Franklin, which graduates around 60 people every year. McMullen, a first-generation college student, told the Capital-Star that he likely would not have been able to attend college without financial assistance. But with state funding, he's enrolled in a unique program, the early acceptance medical program, where he's obtaining a liberal arts degree, with a seat in Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine's grad program awaiting him when he graduates. His goal is to become an anesthesiologist. For him, it was important to come to Harrisburg and advocate on his and other schools' behalf. Before his speech, McMullen and the other students met with lawmakers and legislative staff members to stress the importance of continued financial aid for students attending private college. 'I'm an RA, a resident assistant, at Seton Hill. So I see residents who struggle with finances, but thanks to these financial aid programs, they're able to come and get the opportunity that they wouldn't get at other places.' Tom Foley, the president of AICUP, which represents 85 schools, stressed the importance of funding education at independent colleges. And part of that, he said, is dispelling myths about the kinds of students private schools attract 'I think most people assume that low income kids are all in publicly-funded schools,' Foley said. 'But actually, the majority of them are in these schools.' According to data provided by AICUP, out of all students working towards bachelor's degrees in Pennsylvania, 46% of lower-income Pell Grant-eligible students attend independent schools. That also includes 47% of students receiving PHEAA grants, and 52% of underrepresented minority students seeking both bachelor's and advanced degrees. Collectively, 275,000 students seeking four-year degrees attend AICUP schools. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Foley said that he doesn't predict a decline in funding from the state legislature for student financial assistance programs, but is worried about the impacts of the federal government's moves to slash funding at some universities around the country. In March, Foley wrote a letter to Pennsylvania's congressional delegation, warning about the potential impacts of proposed funding cuts to research programs at colleges and universities, including 35 AICUP member schools. Now, he's worried what will happen to direct student aid. 'We're very concerned,' he said. 'But we can't tell yet. When they've talked about higher education in the new administration, they always say, 'We're going to protect Pell Grants. We're going to protect the student aid programs.' Hopefully, that is the case.' Olivia Fabiano, a senior at Elizabethtown College, also made the trip to the Capitol. . Like McMullen, for her, this is personal. Fabiano said she likely would not have been able to afford tuition at the school without financial assistance, especially with other college-aged siblings and a brother with costly medical needs. 'I think it's important for everybody to have that equal opportunity to receive the higher education that they know they deserve,' Fabiano said. 'There shouldn't be a financial burden holding a student back from pursuing any sort of college, or the one that they want to be at.' She was drawn to Elizabethtown over other state-owned and state-related schools because of the small class sizes. She had been able to attend a private middle school because her mom worked there, and attributed the level of individualized attention she could receive to her social and academic success. Coming to Harrisburg, Fabiano felt that communicating her lived experience to lawmakers would be more effective than AICUP just providing them with statistics. And it was a chance to see first-hand how the process works. As a marketing student, she hopes to land a job at an advocacy organization, or in government, where she feels that she's working towards positive change. 'I'm very interested in doing marketing for something like this, in politics,' Fabiano said. 'I'm actually having coffee with someone on [Governor Josh] Shapiro's communications team because it's so interesting to me.' Dashawn Sheffield, another student who travelled to Harrisburg, felt it was important to tell lawmakers how much financial assistance meant to him. He said financial aid programs, like the Ready to Succeed scholarship, along with four jobs on and off campus, are the reason he is able to attend Lafayette College. It was his second year attending an AICUP day at the capital. 'These grants do not just fund education,' Sheffield told a crowd in the rotunda. 'They fuel opportunity, ambition and success.' Another reason he wanted to be on hand is because of his fascination with politics — he's double majoring in government and international politics. And, in his spare time, he advocates for campaign finance reform in Pennsylvania. 'I've always known I wanted to be a politician of some sort,' Sheffield said. 'I am really looking to make a large-scale impact one day.' For him, two years of coming to Harrisburg to advocate for low-income students like himself helped build that resolve. 'It really strengthened that for me, being able to experience firsthand testifying, giving a speech, and also speaking to the legislators,' Sheffield said. 'I'm leaving knowing I was a voice for many different students like me.'
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Texas Southern University asks for $120 million to replace aging law school
Texas Southern University is asking lawmakers for $120 million to replace its law school building after the organization that sets standards for law schools deemed it unsafe and ill-suited to serve students with disabilities. If the university doesn't address the litany of problems with the building, the school stands to lose its ability to offer federal financial aid to its students. University officials say storms — from Hurricane Rita in 2005 to Hurricane Harvey in 2017 — have battered the Thurgood Marshall School of Law in the nearly 50 years since it was built in the Third Ward of Houston. They say they addressed leaks, mold and foundation issues as they arose, but the fixes weren't enough for the American Bar Association, which evaluates and sets standards for law schools across the country. In 2021, the organization told TSU the building did not comply with its standards for facilities, equipment and technology. The school was told the building poses health and safety concerns and needs more elevators for people with disabilities as well as more space for students and faculty overall. The ABA told the university it would need to build a new facility to remain accredited. Accreditation ensures a higher education institution meets basic quality standards. Only students attending accredited institutions qualify for federal student grants and loans. The ABA does not appear to have given TSU a deadline to meet its facilities standards. The organization declined to comment on this story. 'I cannot speculate on what failing to replace the aging facility would mean. What I would say is we owe our students the best learning and preparatory experience possible,' University President James W. Crawford III said in a statement. 'It is very difficult to do so in the current facility.' This is the second time TSU has requested money for a new law school building. During the previous legislative session two years ago, the university asked for $415 million for capital projects, but lawmakers denied that request. In this legislative session, funding to build a new law school is part of TSU's latest $202 million request for capital projects, which also includes $50 million to upgrade classrooms and address health and safety issues with electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems at other campus buildings. TSU's law school was created in the 1940s after a Black student was denied admission to the University of Texas at Austin's law school. It was renamed after the U.S. Supreme Court's first Black justice, Thurgood Marshall, in 1978. Despite only representing 3% of all four-year institutions in the nation, historically Black colleges and universities like TSU graduate 17% of all Black students who obtain a bachelor's degree and enroll twice as many Pell Grant-eligible students as non-HBCUs, according to a nonprofit that supports HBCUs. The Thurgood Marshall School of Law is Texas' No. 1 school in graduating Black attorneys and No. 3 in graduating Latino attorneys. Many alumni serve in all levels of government. They include Senofria Thompson, the longest-serving woman and Black Texan in the Texas House of Representatives, and U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, who pushed to reform military investigations of sexual assault and harassment after the 2020 murder of 20-year-old Fort Hood soldier Vanessa Guillén. U.S. Rep. Al Green, who was recently censured by the U.S. House for his protest during President Donald Trump's speech before Congress last week, graduated from TSU in 1973. Many HBCUs like TSU have been underfunded for decades. In 2023, the U.S. Department of Education notified 16 states, including Texas, that they had collectively underfunded HBCUs by $12 billion in the past 30 years. In 2018, the federal government studied how underfunding has led to HBCUs struggling to maintain and improve their infrastructure. Seventy of 79 HBCUs surveyed at that time reported that many — if not most — of their buildings needed to be repaired or replaced. It's unclear whether lawmakers will grant TSU's request this time. The money isn't included in their initial spending plan. Lawmakers must pass a budget by June 2. This month, TSU students joined Crawford, a decorated Navy veteran who was appointed university president less than a year ago, when he testified before the Texas House's higher education committee to request funds to replace the law school building. The students seemed to make an impression. State Rep. Donna Howard, an Austin Democrat who serves as vice chair of the committee, noted a Thurgood Marshall Law School student currently works for her. Another committee member, state Rep. Stan Lambert, a Republican from Abilene, remarked that seeing the students don the school's maroon-and-grey colors and fill most of the committee room's seats sent a 'strong statement.' 'I've been asked many times why did I go from the Armed Forces, from being privileged to serve the colors of our nation to Texas Southern and you're looking at it right now, right behind me,' Crawford said of the students. The Texas Tribune partners with Open Campus on higher education coverage. Disclosure: Texas Southern University - Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs and University of Texas at Austin have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here. We can't wait to welcome you to the 15th annual Texas Tribune Festival, Texas' breakout ideas and politics event happening Nov. 13–15 in downtown Austin. Step inside the conversations shaping the future of education, the economy, health care, energy, technology, public safety, culture, the arts and so much more. Hear from our CEO, Sonal Shah, on TribFest 2025. TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
United Way grants $90K to boost financial literacy in Wabash Valley
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Over the last two years, the United Way of the Wabash Valley has awarded a total of $90,000. Indiana State University received $20,000 and Junior Achievement in Wabash Valley received $70,000 through its Financial Freedom for All grant. The United Way said these funds will help support programs that equip participants with essential financial management skills. United Way grants for financial literacy programs Indiana State University's (ISU) Student Success and Advising Center, along with the Office of Financial Aid, will use the money to offer financial literacy workshops that will cover budgeting, savings, financial planning, helping students set responsible financial goals, tracking expenses and making informed spending decisions. These workshops will be offered to Pell Grant-eligible students. According to the United Way, this grant will also help fund the creation of a Textbook Resource Library. The library will provide textbooks to 100 and 200-level Foundation Studies courses and classes with high drop, fail and withdraw rates. The library will be located in Normal Hall's Student Success and Advising Center and will also provide additional help to students through tutoring and peer coaching services. Additionally, the United Ways said ISU will use some of the grant money to purchase 'short-term loaner laptops' for students whose devices aren't up to college-level technology requirements. The Junior Achievement in Wabash Valley (JA) will use its award to fund and facilitate a Family Financial Literacy Night. The program will help equip individuals with essential financial knowledge and skills to promote sustainable economic stability, said the United Way. United Way of the Wabash Valley & City of Terre Haute partner to offer small business and nonprofit grants The Family Financial Literacy Night will be held across the United Way's six-county service area (Clay, Parke, Sullivan, Vermillion, Vigo and Clark Counties) and will be available for families, individuals and children. 'By addressing both the immediate needs of families and the future of their children, this program aims to break the cycle of financial insecurity and build a more resilient, economically stable Wabash Valley,' said the United Way. Adult participants can also enroll in the JA Young Adult Financial Literacy program, which covers budgeting, savings, taxes, credit, debit and more. While children of the program participants can participate in financial literacy education provided by JA. 'I believe one of the most powerful ways to engage students is to let them take charge of their own learning,' United Way of the Wabash Valley volunteer Summer Long stated. 'Programs such as these not only allow students to engage in learning but allows families to participate and learn as well. These types of programs are important to our community to help us feel united and continue to make the Wabash Valley a better place to raise a family.' To learn more about the Financial Freedom for All grant and the United Way of the Wabash Valley, you can visit their website here. United Way announces Successful Parenting Initiative grant Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
