Two philanthropic grants provide financial support and tools for success
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A $1.5 million investment through two philanthropic grants will create programs that focus on improving student success and retention, aligning with UMass Dartmouth’s commitment to making higher education accessible and ensuring that our students have the essential support needed to achieve their academic goals.
The Shared Advising Platform and Degree Planner Program award, granted in 2023, invested $730,000 over two years to develop a technology-aided advising program for undergraduate students to increase student graduation rates and close attainment gaps. The funding allowed for continued development and roll out of Slate for Student Success, a shared electronic advising platform that allows advisors and other student support personnel to record and share information, academic progress, and engagement that will allow them to provide the best support for the student. The award also funded the addition of a commercial, student-facing degree planning tool.
“The advising platform has already provided much-needed transparency and improved communication,” said Sarah B. Cosgrove, PhD, associate provost for student success and professor of economics. “We now have centralized information about students' progress, allowing for early interventions and better coordination among support personnel.”
The degree planning tool allows students to visualize their paths to graduation with real-time adjustments and what-if scenarios using the degree planner. This tool also better predicts demand for classes to ensure we offer what students need, aiding in on-time degree completion.
Grant supports student retention
Funding will also establish the Student Retention Grant program, backed by $300,000 a year for two years, $150,000 for a third year, and a $150,000 match generated through fundraising for a total of $750,000. The Student Retention Grant program is designed to support junior and senior students facing financial challenges that may prevent them from continuing their education, with consideration of students earlier in their academic journey. This supports UMass Dartmouth’s commitment to student success by building ways to eliminate the financial barriers to academic progress.
Under the plan, academic advisors and financial aid play a key role in identifying students who exhibit potential financial challenges that could derail their progress. Retention grants are capped at $2,500 per student to maximize the number of students who can be supported. Students who receive the retention grants will also engage in financial counseling and financial literacy training to create a comprehensive plan for financing the remainder of their education and receiving academic success coaching.
“The Student Retention Grant has significantly supported students by helping them settle their semester balances, so they can register for upcoming semesters or for graduation,” said Amy Jones, associate director of Financial Aid Services. “Students have also gained financial awareness that enables them to plan for future success during their academic journey.”