The University of Mary Washington’s Independent Student Newspaper Serving the community since 1922
The
Weekly
Ringer
VOLUME 97 | ISSUE 24
April 26, 2024
Rappahannock Scholars Program expands into Student Transition Access and Retention Services with new funding
Mihaughany redd Staff Writer Last spring, the Rappahannock Scholars Program was at risk of being discontinued as the grant that funded the program approached its expiration date. However, the grant’s recent renewal this spring—and a new grant from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia—has allowed the program to continue and even expand. “The major funding source for the [Rappahannock Scholars Program] was successfully renewed this year, along with the University being able to secure a fairly
The program has been an integral part of UMW since 2007 along with six other high schools. Abbey Magnet / The Weekly Ringer
substantial grant funding from the state of Virginia,” said Director of the Rappahannock Scholars Program Justin Wilkes. “That grant is particularly for building more support and services for Pell-eligible and other historically marginalized students throughout their time here at the university.” The program has been active at UMW since its establishment in 2007 and is a partnership between the university and six high schools in the Northern Neck of Virginia, including Fredericksburg. According to the program’s website, students “participate in monthly lessons and off-campus activities that prepare them to apply and attend the four-year college of their choice.” If a student attending one of the partnering high schools is admitted to UMW as a Rappahannock Scholar, the program will also provide financial assistance based on their demonstrated need, according to Shanita Mitchell, the program’s assistant director. Talk of the program potentially ending began last year, when it was uncertain whether the grant funding would be renewed. “At that time last year, we were trending towards fading the program out,” Wilkes said. “There was talk about it at the end of my sophomore year, spring semester,” said Paula Perez, a junior psychology major who’s been involved with the program since
her freshman year of high school. “... But I didn’t think it would actually end.”
“The major funding source for the [Rappahannock Scholars Program] was successfully renewed this year, along with the University being able to secure a fairly substantial grant funding from the state of Virginia” - Justin Wilkes With this recently awarded grant, the Rappahannock Scholars Program’s office will be expanded into a larger program called Student Transition Access and Retention Services, or STARS. “We are developing our office into a bigger program called STARS, so Student Transition Access and Retention Services,” said Wilkes. “With that, we will take on more initiatives for Pell-eligible students as well as firstin-the-family initiatives.” The Rappahannock Scholars and Student Transition programs will operate as usual, he said.
SEE RAPPAHANNOCK, PAGE 2
Following two-month FAFSA delay, UMW extends decision day deadline until June 1, allowing students ease of mind Emma kingkeo News Editor In light of the recent delays and changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid , UMW has extended its commitment deadline for accepted first-year undergraduate students from May 1 to June 1. The decision aims to ensure prospective students have enough time to review their financial aid offers before committing to attend UMW. This past year, the FAFSA application—which is required for students seeking need-based institutional scholarships—opened two months later than scheduled because of changes made by
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the U.S. Department of Education in an attempt to simplify and improve the application process. UMW is not alone in pushing back its admissions deadline. For years, the majority of colleges and universities in the U.S. have declared May 1 as the last day for admitted students to commit to their undergraduate programs. During a typical year, this deadline usually allows a substantial amount of time for students to review financial aid offers and thoroughly consider each option. Many schools have extended their deadlines by 15 days or more as they work to adapt admissions timelines accordingly.
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Other public universities in Virginia, including George Mason University, Christopher Newport University and the College of William & Mary, extended their deadlines to May 15. Like UMW, Old Dominion University and Radford University extended their deadlines to June 1. Emma Almassy, a senior English major who works in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, said she’s noticed how the FAFSA delay has impacted commitment decisions and general confidence in students choosing a university. Almassy said that compared to previous
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The extension gives additional time for students to review their decisons. Abbey Magnet / The Weekly Ringer
SEE EXTENSION, PAGE 2
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