US grants $44.5 million to 22 higher education institutions

The Biden-Harris Administration has approved $44.5 million in grants for 22 higher education institutions in the United States.

These funds, distributed through the Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development grant program, aim to elevate enrollment, persistence, and completion rates among students in rural communities, according to a press release.

“The Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development grant program promotes the development of high-quality career pathways aligned to high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand industry sectors and occupations in the region,” it stated.

Recent statistics revealed that only 29 percent of individuals aged 18 to 24 in rural America are enrolled in higher education, a stark contrast to the nearly 48 percent in urban areas and 42 percent in suburban regions.

Recognizing the unique challenges faced by rural students, including issues like transportation, food and housing insecurity, and limited access to healthcare and high-speed internet, the administration said it is committed to addressing these barriers.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona noted the administration’s dedication to empowering rural communities. 

“The grants announced today by the Biden-Harris administration reflect our commitment to empowering rural communities to build on their strengths, attract new investments, and prepare students for the high-skill, high-wage jobs of tomorrow,” he said.

Cardona added that the RPED grant program focuses on creating high-quality career pathways aligned with high-demand industries in the respective regions. 

The ultimate goal is to equip students with the skills needed for well-paying jobs without having to leave their hometowns.

Building on the administration’s commitment, the announcement supports the Department of Education’s efforts to strengthen the transition process from two-year to four-year institutions. 

Applicants for the RPED grant program were encouraged to propose programs and strategies that facilitate community college students’ seamless transition to four-year institutions, with an emphasis on fostering career pathways.

The 2023 List of Grantees includes institutions from various states, each with specific plans to enhance postsecondary education in their communities. Some notable recipients and their initiatives include:

Alabama:

• Athens State University: Leveraging technology and comprehensive support to offer flexible learning opportunities. (Grant Amount: $2,209,424)

Arizona:

• Arizona State University: Providing college and career awareness activities and increasing access to college courses. (Grant Amount: $2,227,498)

California:

• College Bridge: Offering access to college knowledge and workforce needs. (Grant Amount: $2,196,928)

Illinois:

• Western Illinois University: Improving college readiness and access through coordinated efforts with local education agencies. (Grant Amount: $2,211,294)

Kentucky:

• Big Sandy Community and Technical College: Restructuring student advising to support effective pathway navigation. (Grant Amount: $1,800,000)

New Mexico:

• University of New Mexico-Valencia: Facilitating early college camps and providing critical non-academic support services. (Grant Amount: $2,218,830)

North Carolina:

• Appalachian State University: Offering individualized college and career transition programs to underserved students. (Grant Amount: $2,227,500)

Pennsylvania:

• University of Pittsburgh: Developing high-quality career pathways and providing resources for rural students. (Grant Amount: $2,227,368)

South Carolina:

• Voorhees University: Strengthening guided pathways for transitions from high school to college. (Grant Amount: $1,965,332)

Tennessee:

• Columbia State Community College: Implementing structured pathways for individualized student planning. (Grant Amount: $1,571,255)

Vermont:

• Vermont Technical College: Providing community college transfer students with flexible career pathways and support services. (Grant Amount: $1,900,000)

Washington:

• Heritage University: Increasing the number of trained diverse nurses through a Grow Your Own model. (Grant Amount: $1,415,427)

The U.S. Department of Education’s “Raise the Bar: Lead the World” initiative calls for a transformative shift in education. It emphasizes delivering comprehensive, rigorous education, improving learning conditions, creating pathways to multilingualism, college, and careers, and enhancing college affordability and completion.

The key focus areas of the initiative include achieving academic excellence, boldly improving learning conditions, creating pathways for global engagement, and increasing college affordability and completion. 

By raising the bar in education, the Department aims to equip all students with the skills needed for success in school, careers, and their communities, fostering positive contributions to the world for generations to come.

The United States continues to be a top choice for international students, hosting a record-breaking 1 million students in the 2022-2023 academic year—a 12 percent increase from the previous year, marking the highest growth rate in over four decades, according to the Open Doors 2023 Report.

These students contribute $38 billion to the U.S. economy, making up 6 percent of the total higher education population. Enrollment of new international students surged to 298,523, surpassing pre-pandemic figures with a 14 percent year-over-year increase.

China and India remain leading sources of international students, with China sending 289,526 students and India reaching an all-time high of 268,923—a 35 percent increase.