The Scholarship Component
When the partnership between GRAD and a high school is established, the scholarship component becomes available to all entering ninth graders. Project GRAD’s non-competitive scholarships typically provide a minimum of $1,000 per year for four years in any accredited college or university in the United States. The scholarships are available to all students who meet the eligibility requirements. The eligibility requirements, which are formalized in the “contract,” provide students with motivation to stay in school and focus on college preparation. Scholarship recipients are recognized in special Recognition Ceremonies and receive medals to wear over their gowns at graduation.
A campus-based Scholarship Coordinator, together with social services/parent involvement staff, work to help students graduate and gain access to college through a number of key activities:
Walk for SuccessSM and Learning Contract: Early in the ninth grade year, the Scholarship Coordinator, Project GRAD staff, social services/parent involvement counselors, school staff and community volunteers visit the homes of all students to inform them about Project GRAD’s goals and enlist their support in fulfilling the scholarship component's criteria. They are also asked to sign a learning contract that stipulates what is expected of both the student and parents, as well as what the high school and GRAD will provide during the high school years and beyond. In order to receive the scholarship, the contract stipulates that the student must:
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Graduate from the GRAD feeder system high school
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Graduate with at least a 2.5 GPA
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Attend at least two summer/intersession institutes
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Successfully complete the courses designated as college preparatory by their state, district, and school
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Graduate in four or fewer years
Summer/Intersession Institutes and College Visits: Beginning during the summer after GRAD is launched, students between grades nine and ten are expected to attend a four-week Summer Institute. These are planned jointly by high school and college partners, situated on a college campus, and taught at least in part by college faculty. These Institutes serve a dual function: they provide remediation and/or academic enrichment, depending on the student’s needs, so that he or she is better prepared to succeed academically during the coming school year. They also encourage students to think that college is a realistic possibility. Following the initial Institute, students must complete at least one more Institute during the summer between grades ten and eleven and/or between grades eleven and twelve.
College Support: Once students have matriculated in college, they will work with a College Manager. The College Manager works with them and their colleges to help assure a successful first year experience, keeps up with the students as the scholarship is renewed annually, and invites students back to their high schools to provide mentoring experiences for future GRAD graduates during College Day activities.
To date, Project GRAD has awarded scholarships to over 3,000 students from low-income communities around the nation, with over 1,200 students qualifying in 2005.
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