Grand Valley has been chosen to participate in a new program that provides last-dollar gap funding for low-income graduates from North Lawndale College Prep Charter School in Chicago.
The partnership, Phoenix Pact, seeks to increase the number of NLCP graduates who attend a college, stay on track and graduate. Grand Valley joins 15 colleges and universities across the country that meet the school’s criteria of maintaining a 50 percent or higher, six-year underrepresented minority graduation rate.
Data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Systems (IPEDS) shows that Grand Valley has the lowest graduation gap among underrepresented minority (URM) students and non-URM students in the state.
Lynn McNamara Blue, vice president for Enrollment Development, said Grand Valley was also chosen because it enrolls a high proportion of Pell grant recipients and maintains strong retention and graduation rates. She expects three to six NLCP graduates to attend Grand Valley each year.
"It is wonderful that we have been selected to partner with this fine public charter in Chicago. They, as we, are committed to providing high-quality educational opportunities to underserved students in urban communities," said Blue. "How brilliant of the Phoenix Pact creators to raise the funds, select a high-performing cadre of college partners and make their children's educational dreams come true with dollars to support them; an extraordinary example of people making a big difference."
Read NLCP's school profile here.
