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Virginia C apitol C onnections, Fall 2014
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The U. S. Department of Education states that, “college offers
a path to greater economic security, professional fulfillment
and civic engagement.” In a similar vein, a February 2014 Pew
Research Center report found that, “Poverty has been on the rise
among all young adults, and the increase has been greatest among
lesser educated 25- to 32-year-olds. Poverty has tripled among
25- to 32-year-olds with only a high school education. In 1979,
7% of young adults with only a high school education were living
below the poverty line. Among high school-educated Millennials
in 2013, fully 22% were poor.” Although many people may agree
with these statements, not all people believe that college or higher
education is possible in their own lives. But there is an organization
here in Virginia—Great Aspirations Scholarship Program, Inc.
(GRASP)—whose passion and mission is specifically to help
today’s youth GRASP infinite opportunities and reach their
educational goals.
GRASP is a non-profit, 501©(3) charitable, education and
college access organization based in Richmond whose reach in
helping students in the Commonwealth now stretches to 75 schools
from the greater Richmond area to the Northern Neck to Highland
and Bath counties in the west and to Brunswick and Sussex
counties in the south. Our mission is to help students and their
families, regardless of their financial resources and at no charge to
them, develop an educational plan by:
• Assisting them with the financial aid process;
• Awarding and administering scholarships;
• Inspiring them to believe that post-secondary education is
attainable; and
• Supporting them during the completion of their post-secondary
education.
We accomplishes this mission through our in-school advisors
who meet individually with students and their families, at no charge
to them, to guide them through the financial aid process, to educate
them about options for paying for college, and to encourage them
to pursue their educational goals. Our advisors are committed and
driven to help others. They have been successful in a variety of
other careers including teaching, counseling, law, the military, and
nursing, but now they choose to “give back” to others. Encouraging
students to pursue education after high school, whether at a
technical school, community college, or 4-year college, is now
their life’s work.
GRASP recently celebrated its 31st anniversary in working
with students at our annual Reach for the Stars Gala where we heard
several students talk of their educational and career successes after
receiving assistance from their GRASP advisors. Rachael Shepard,
a Nelson County High School graduate who attended Piedmont
Virginia Community College for two years and is currently a student
at the University of Virginia’s Curry School of Education talked
of “being graced by GRASP” and of her advisor who welcomed
Rachael’s ideas about community college and the corresponding
financial advantages to starting post-secondary education at a
community college. Casey Osborne, a graduate of Patrick Henry
High School who completed two associates degrees and was one
of the first GRASP students to participate in the Dominion Student
Worker Program, a partnership between GRASP and Dominion
Virginia Power, related how his GRASP advisor told him about the
Dominion Student Worker Program and encouraged him to apply.
Casey also commented on the helpfulness of GRASP during his
Dominion internship which subsequently resulted in him receiving
full time employment with Dominion. Another student, Amanda
Nolan, a Clover Hill High School graduate who now attends John
Tyler Community College spoke of her experiences being homeless
and how her GRASP advisor guided her and her family through the
financial aid process and spoke of endless opportunities available
in life. The students’ comments reinforced the dedication and
determination felt by our GRASP staff and advisors to develop
relationships with students and help them as best we can.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures,
“The Virginia Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2011 (SB
1459/HB 2510), which passed the legislature unanimously, aims
to increase the number of college graduates who are prepared for
the top job opportunities while also reforming and innovating
how higher education is provided.” GRASP is working to help the
Commonwealth achieve this goal. For fiscal year ending June 30,
2014, over 90% of the students who worked with a GRASP advisor
matriculated to a post-secondary institution. Additionally, 206
scholarships were awarded by GRASP from funds raised for a total
of $225,250. Finally, each $1 invested in GRASP yielded $141 in
financial aid for students.
College access is achievable. Help in achieving education after
high school is available. There are infinite opportunities in life,
and GRASP advisors stand ready to guide students financially to
their goals.
GRASP
makes infinite
opportunities
possible
Virginia Press Women, incorporated in 1973 to serve the
highest ideals in journalism is now proudly called….
Virginia Professional
Communicators
We are a diverse organization of professional communicators.
Membership is open tomen andwomen.Wework for print, radio,
television, colleges, government, corporations, non-profits, and
businesses. We are affiliated with the National Federation of Press
Women, fostering ideas, offering professional development, and
serving the public’s right-to-know.
Contact: Bonnie Atwood, .
Rachael Shepard
V