Warner, Kaine: $2M available for disadvantaged students for college

U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced today that Virginia colleges and universities will receive more than $2 million from the Department of Education (ED) to assist students from disadvantaged backgrounds to apply to and graduate from college.

The funding will come as part of the Talent Search program, which identifies and assists individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to succeed in higher education. The program then provides academic, career, and financial counseling to participants and encourages them to graduate from high school and continue on to complete their postsecondary education.

“Low-income students face too many obstacles when deciding whether to pursue a college degree,” said both Senators. “This funding will serve as a way to identify talented students in Virginia who may otherwise be unable to go to college, and provide them with the critical support that will help them graduate and be better prepared to join a high-skilled workforce.”    

Talent Search publicizes the availability of financial aid and assists participants with the postsecondary application process. It also encourages persons who have not completed education programs at the secondary or postsecondary level to enter or reenter and complete postsecondary education. The goal of Talent Search is to increase the number of youth from disadvantaged backgrounds who complete high school and enroll in and complete their postsecondary education.

The following 7 Virginia colleges and universities will receive funding through this program:

• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University: $326,400.00
• Wytheville Community College: $326,880.00
• Mountain Empire Community College: $314,400.00
• Virginia State University: $240,000.00
• Dabney S. Lancaster Community College: $349,920.00
• Patrick Henry Community College: $240,000.00
• Hampton University: $386,398.00