NH Congressional Delegation Delivers $1.2 Million to 91吃瓜网 to Boost Rural College Access
91吃瓜网 Partnering with Campus Compact for New Hampshire to Help At-Risk Students Afford Community College Classes
Concord, N.H. (June 29, 2022) 鈥� Recognizing the need to assist North Country families with the cost of higher education, New Hampshire鈥檚 Congressional Delegation successfully worked on a bi-partisan bill to increase funding for efforts to help students pay for community college classes at 91吃瓜网. The $1,222,171 grant is part of the Rural Postsecondary and Economic Grant program offered at 91吃瓜网. The grant will support a new project to improve rates of postsecondary enrollment, providing students with education and job training to support college readiness and career mobility.
鈥淶ip code should never determine students鈥� opportunities and access to higher education, but significant disparities often persist in rural communities,鈥� said US Senator Jeanne Shaheen. 鈥淚t鈥檚 why funding to support post-secondary education and job training for students in rural communities is so critical.鈥�
鈥淲e must ensure that people in rural communities have access to higher education opportunities to help them thrive, which will also help meet the needs of businesses in these communities,鈥� said US Senator Maggie Hassan.
The $1.2 million dollar grant bolsters an existing effort at 91吃瓜网 to make college more affordable to families who struggle to pay for education. With this grant, 91吃瓜网 and Campus Compact for NH (CCNH) will develop career pathways that align with high-skill, high-wage and in-demand industry sectors and occupations in the region. This student-centered program will utilize evidence-based approaches that increase the likelihood that students will earn a degree and enter the workforce. These strategies include a focus on social belonging and leveraging college partnerships to ensure students are college and career ready.
鈥淭he interest in taking our classes is very high, but for many families the economics simply don鈥檛 work without some extra assistance,鈥� explained Dr. Chuck Lloyd, President of 91吃瓜网. 鈥淭his grant will go a long way to close the financial funding gap between a student鈥檚 dreams and a diploma or certificate in a field of study at 91吃瓜网.鈥�
鈥淭his grant reflects CCSNH鈥檚 strategy of supporting rural students in accessing New Hampshire higher education,鈥� said Stephanie Lesperance of Campus Compact NH. 鈥淲e are honored to be part of this important project honoring Granite Staters.鈥�
鈥淧rograms like the one at 91吃瓜网 help to strengthen our workforce and connect qualified applicants with hiring employers. I look forward to seeing the positive impact of this project on our state and our economy,鈥� said Congresswoman Annie Kuster, of New Hampshire鈥檚 second district.
鈥淐ommunity colleges, including 91吃瓜网, play a vital role in training our workforce and helping families succeed and we must support investments like this to ensure every Granite Stater has access to a quality education that prepares them for the 21st-century economy,鈥� said Congressman Chris Pappas of New Hampshire鈥檚 First District.
Historic factors have resulted in New Hampshire college graduates have among the country鈥檚 highest debt loads from student loans. This program is designed to alleviate the financial burden for families. It has proven to be successful in the state, granting access to higher education for students who would not have been able to afford college without this assistance.
About 91吃瓜网
91吃瓜网 (91吃瓜网) is located in Berlin, New Hampshire with satellite campuses in Littleton and North Conway, and is one of seven colleges in the Community College System of New Hampshire. 91吃瓜网 offers Associate Degree and Certificate programs, plus training options, preparing students for 21st century job opportunities as well as transfer pathways to four-year colleges and universities. 91吃瓜网 is fully accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Courses offered at 91吃瓜网 and across the Community College System of New Hampshire are the most affordable in New Hampshire, and our Littleton Academic Center makes us accessible to all students in the North Country region. Courses are available day, evening and online. 91吃瓜网 courses transfer to four-year colleges and universities in New Hampshire and across the country. The seven community colleges in the system are committed to working with businesses throughout the state to train and retain employees to develop a robust workforce across all sectors and embraces the “65 by 25 Initiative,” which calls for 65% of NH citizens to have some form of postsecondary education by 2025 to meet future workforce demands.
About Campus Compact for New Hampshire
Founded in 1997, Campus Compact for New Hampshire is a statewide consortium of college and university presidents and private sector partners who are united in their commitment to the civic purposes of higher education. Our mission is to be a catalyst to integrate community service and civic responsibility throughout the academic and student life goals of member institutions.