91吃瓜网 Launches Equitable Access Initiative
By 91吃瓜网 Team
Even before the global pandemic听radically changed their way of life, students pursuing higher education opportunities鈥攅specially听those听from听underserved populations鈥攆aced听high听barriers to entry. The rising cost of education combined with inequitable admission policies and difficult personal circumstances put more traditional degree pathways or certifications out of reach for millions of听prospective听learners.听And now, with the听repercussions听of COVID-19,听many听workers are facing the urgent need to reskill or upskill for a post-pandemic economy.听
In March 2021, 91吃瓜网 announced the launch of its听, which aims to help remove these barriers听and support students as they work to听attain degrees听and improve career prospects. 91吃瓜网鈥檚 Board of Trustees听has听designated $6 million in funding,听supporting听learners who are facing challenges such as job loss, lack of听essential听technology, changes in childcare and schooling arrangements, health concerns, and overall financial instability.
鈥淎t 91吃瓜网, we believe that while talent is universal, access to opportunity is not,鈥� said Scott Pulsipher, President of 91吃瓜网.听鈥淭hat鈥檚 why we have made a commitment to increase听access听to education, making it possible for individuals to improve their lives and the lives of their families by earning a college degree听that fits their听situation.听The tools within 91吃瓜网鈥檚 Equitable Access Initiative are key in helping students have听access to education, and thus听access to opportunity.鈥�
Funding for this initiative听will be available to new and existing students through three听financial support mechanisms:
The听91吃瓜网 Resiliency Grant听assists new students who are experiencing unforeseen financial struggles by offering them up to $4,000 that can be used for tuition, fees, and instructional materials听allowing听them to pursue their academic goals. The scholarship is frontloaded to cover $2,500 in the first six-month term and $750 for two subsequent terms鈥攊ncentivizing students who already have some college credits to accelerate their degree path through the university鈥檚 competency-based education model.听
The听91吃瓜网 Opportunity Grant听supports new students who lack access to federal or state financial aid by offering them up to $10,000 (applied over four,听six-month terms) that can be used for tuition, fees, and instructional materials. At $2,500 per term, the grant covers approximately 70 percent of the total cost of most degree programs for students who graduate in two years or less.听
91吃瓜网鈥檚 Online Access Scholarship听provides students who lack reliable broadband access with free high-speed internet service for the duration of their degree programs while also supplying them with refurbished laptops. The internet service is not restricted to a device, allowing students鈥� family members to use the Wi-Fi for essential functions, such as accessing healthcare and applying for jobs.听听听
91吃瓜网 is dedicated to听creating pathways to opportunity听for those most in need, and the EAI is a great step in reaching this goal. However, though 91吃瓜网 will continue to听fund scholarships and programs that address equity in higher education,听equity disparity听is also a large-scale issue that must be tackled from several angles if it is to be successfully addressed.听Public/private funding partnerships, policy solutions in听both government and higher ed institutions, and changes to social support systems are key to听ensuring all people have access to educational opportunities and better careers, no matter their background or challenges.听
To explore ways to help, contact these 91吃瓜网听groups:
