SRU becomes a Pittsburgh Promise 'preferred college partner"

Alyssa Dobson, Slippery Rock University's director of financial aid and scholarships, represented the University at a press conference Sept. 27 where SRU was announced as a "preferred college partner" with the Pittsburgh Promise program.

Sept. 27, 2017

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - Slippery Rock University today announced that it has become a "preferred college partner" with The Pittsburgh Promise program.

In doing so, SRU will offer housing scholarships to all new, incoming students who are recipients of a Pittsburgh Promise scholarship for the 2018-19 academic year. The University housing scholarship is a $2,000 annual award and is renewable annually for up to four years providing the student lives on campus.

"We are excited to partner with The Pittsburgh Promise," said Amanda Yale, associate provost for enrollment management. "SRU has many enrolled students who have attended the Pittsburgh Public Schools and who are currently recipients of the Pittsburgh Promise scholarship program. We appreciate the opportunity to enhance our engagement with this important scholarship program."

The Pittsburgh Promise is designed to give graduates of Pittsburgh's public high schools the means to pursue postsecondary education, regardless of family income, at an accredited postsecondary institution in Pennsylvania.

The Pittsburgh Promise was initiated to help foster excellence in Pittsburgh's public school system and make higher education possible for those who graduate from Pittsburgh Public Schools with certain academic, attendance and residency requirements. According to its website, the Pittsburgh Promise "is more than an educational initiative; it is also a driver of community and economic development aimed at ensuring that the city becomes stronger and more vibrant now and in the future."

Pittsburgh Promise scholarships are available to students, ninth through 12th grades, that meets the following criteria:
-Lives in the City of Pittsburgh, continuously, without interruption, for at least the four years of high school.
-Attends Pittsburgh Public Schools, continuously, without interruption, from the start of ninth grade through to graduation.
-Graduates with a cumulative, unweighted GPA of 2.5 or better.
-Maintains an attendance record of 90 percent or greater.
-Uses the scholarship to attend an accredited college, university or trade and technical school in Pennsylvania.
-Files the FAFSA and state grant forms by April 30 each year for the academic year that begins the following fall.

Pittsburgh Promise scholarships are not need-based nor do they take family income into consideration. Rather, if a student meets the above criteria, they are eligible to receive a scholarship.

Presently, The Pittsburgh Promise is working to raise $250 million in order to be able to fund scholarships through the graduating class of 2028.

"The University's first-to-second year retention rates are second highest among all Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education institutions and we are tied for first place in regard to four-year graduate rates," Yale said. "We believe that we have a robust set of student success support services to engage Pittsburgh Promise scholarship recipients from the time they enter SRU until they walk across the commencement stage to receive their degree."

Like all students at SRU, Pittsburgh Promise scholarship recipients are able to take advantage of a variety of student success supports services, including:
-Jumpstart: Designed to serve as a transition program with its primary goal in assisting students with adjusting to life on campus, both academically and socially. New, first-year students are provided one-on-one development opportunities, academic advisers and study skills strengthening and support. All students are assigned an upperclassman as a mentor.
-Student Success Coaches: Students will be assigned a dedicated Student Success Coach. Success Coaching sessions provide a proactive and interactive space for students to navigate their SRU experience and become connected to campus resources. Success Coaches provide accountability and create environments that enhance intrinsic motivation, cultivate self-efficacy and invite self-reflection.
-FYRST Seminar: Students will be assigned to a section of FYRST Seminar, a one-credit course designed to enhance the academic, social, and personal integration of new students by focusing on study skills, time management, career exploration and making healthy choices.
-Tutoring and academic support: Students will have access to free, one-on-one tutoring and academic support through the Writing Center and the Tutorial Center.
-Career Education and Development: Students will have access to academic major and career exploration tools and support staff throughout their collegiate experience.
-Student leadership and involvement programs: Students will have access to a series of student leadership and involvement programs that help students to connect to campus activities and develop leadership skills.

MEDIA CONTACT: Robb King | 724.738.2199 | robb.king@sru.edu