Dept. of Education recognizes U of R, Radford for initiatives to reach low-income students

Mary Lee Clark
Contributing Writer

The University of Richmond and Radford University were among 13 schools the U.S. Department of Education recognized for their efforts to expand upper-level education to low-income students in the March report.

The universities were featured in the report for their increased Pell Grant enrollment from 2008 to 2013. During that five year window, University of Richmond increased the percentage of Pell recipients from 9 percent to 20 percent. Radford raised their percentage from 17 percent to 28 percent.

“We are working hard to provide an outstanding education to Pell recipients, to graduate them in a timely manner, and to ensure that they land quality jobs after they matriculate,” said University of Richmond President Ronald Crutcher. “We are delighted that the report from the Department of Education chose to highlight our efforts.”

During the 2012-2013 year, the University of Richmond percentage of Pell recipients graduating in six years was 82 percent and the annual net price of education for low-income students ($0-$30,000) was $8,599, according to The Education Trust and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).

At Radford, 59 percent of Pell recipients graduated in 6 years and the annual net price of education for low-income students was $9,789.

By comparison, VCU falls short; the university had 52 percent Pell recipients graduating in six years, and the annual net price of education for low income students was $11,544.

VCU Vice Provost for Strategic Enrollment Management Luke Schultheis explained where VCU lacks in Pell enrollment they make up for in micro-grants.These are small grants, $1,000 to $2,000, that are awarded per student who are in specific situations.

VCU has recently received recognition for this by a joint report by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) and the Coalition of Urban Serving Universities (CUSU) titled “Foiling the Drop-Out Trap.”

VCU was specifically highlighted for the Graduation Funds program which targets seniors who are close to graduation but have not registered for their final semester of classes. The program reaches out to these students to help provide financial help needed to graduate.

The Dept. of Education’s report also mentioned Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s plan to raise higher education funding by about $50 million to be available as financial aid from the state as incentive for Virginia universities to enroll and graduate more underrepresented students.

The plan also includes in-state financial assistance, salary increase for Virginia higher education faculty, and an online degree completion initiative for non-traditional students.