College Receives Funds to Implement Scholarship America’s Dreamkeepers Program
MEDIA, PA, September 22, 2010 – Delaware County Community College announced today that after a nationwide search, Scholarship America – the nation’s premier education service organization – has selected Delaware County Community College to participate in the Dreamkeepers program beginning in Fall 2010.
Delaware County Community College was selected to participate in the program because of its existing programs of scholarship and emergency fund support, which bolster the College’s commitment to student success, particularly for historically underserved, low-income and/or first-generation college students. The $75,000 grant will provide funding to set up and begin implementing the program for students over the next three years. This funding is provided through a unique partnership between the Kresge Foundation, Lumina Foundation for Education and the Walmart Foundation.
Unexpected financial setbacks are one of the top reasons students drop out of school. The Dreamkeepers program is designed to keep students in school in spite of these setbacks.
“We are honored to be recognized by Scholarship America for our commitment to student success, which is exemplified by a strong student support services network as well as our philanthropic programs that provide financial assistance to worthy students,” said Delaware County Community College president, Dr. Jerry Parker.
“Dreamkeepers has proven to be a catalyst that keeps students enrolled in their college programs,” says Donald Lassere, Senior Vice President, Scholarship America. “In fact, 84 percent of students who received assistance in 2008 either re-enrolled in school the following semester or graduated, compared with the national average of 55 percent. We’re thrilled to assist Delaware County Community College in implementing the Dreamkeepers program and keeping more of their students in school.”
Scholarship America will provide onsite support and training to help each of the new colleges establish the program and raise funds to ensure its long-term success. Scholarship America will also provide an online application tool and online financial literacy tool for the students.
Since 2004, Scholarship America has distributed nearly $1.1 million in student grants through the Dreamkeepers program. To date, the average student grant of $523 has been used for purposes like housing, utilities, meals, childcare, transportation or car repairs. Now in 31 schools across the country, Scholarship America plans to continue raising funds so additional community colleges can offer the Dreamkeepers program as part of their overall efforts to improve graduation rates.
Delaware County Community College is an associate-degree granting institution that maintains a policy of open-admission, providing academic excellence to anyone in our service areas of Delaware and Chester counties. The College serves 28,000 students per year in credit and non-credit programs and is the sixth largest college in Greater Philadelphia.
Scholarship America® is a national education service organization that mobilizes support for students getting into and graduating from college. Since 1958, Scholarship America has awarded more than $2 billion in scholarship assistance to more than 1.7 million students through three core programs, Dollars for Scholars, Scholarship Management Services, and Dreamkeepers. More information is available at www.scholarshipamerica.org and at www.dreamkeepers.org.
Contact: Kathleen A. Breslin
Phone: 610-359-5132
