Last modified: Tuesday, January 13, 2004
Six IU campuses receive funding to improve student retention
Six Indiana University campuses will receive a total of $570,600 from the Indianapolis-based Lumina Foundation for Education to improve student retention and degree attainment. Grants were awarded to nine public college campuses across the state.
The following IU campuses received grants: IU East (Richmond), IU Kokomo, IU Northwest (Gary), IU-Purdue University Fort Wayne, IU South Bend and IU Southeast (New Albany). IPFW is administered by IU and Purdue.
The grants will fund programs designed to ensure student success during the critical first years of college. ACT Inc. research has indicated that 60 percent of students at public institutions fail to complete degrees within five years. Half of these students leave college during or just after their freshman year.
The President's Fund for Student Success in the First and Second Years of College program was established to increase the number of students in special population groups who enter college, improve retention rates for historically underserved students and create a learning network among institutions facing similar challenges.
Below is more information about the IU campuses that will receive grants and the programs they intend to implement:
IU East -- will start a transitional seminar program for freshmen who are part of the Twenty-First Century Scholars Program, Indiana's financial aid program for low- and moderate-income students and families.
IU Kokomo -- will start a six-week seminar program for all entering Twenty-First Century Scholars.
IU Northwest -- will support its critical literacy program, which offers support services and supplemental curricula to underprepared students.
IPFW -- will support its first-year experience program, which assists underrepresented students through skills workshops, computer training, and academic and career advising.
IU South Bend -- will attempt to attract and retain more Hispanic and African-American students.
IU Southeast -- will support its access to success program, which includes peer-to-peer activities that help Twenty-First Century Scholars, minority students and adult learners make a successful transition to college.
For more information about the Lumina Foundation for Education, visit https://www.luminafoundation.org.
