GREAT ASPIRATIONS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM INC
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Mission Statement
Helping all students and their families, with a focus on financially disadvantaged households, by: giving inspiration and hope that their goals are attainable; assisting them with the financial aid process and awarding scholarships; and supporting them in the attainment of their post-secondary goals at the lowest possible cost.
About This Cause
GRASP is a nonprofit founded in 1983, operating exclusively in Virginia, where even today, 4 out of 10 households struggle daily to afford basic household necessities. It is a sobering reality that 8 out of 10 financially challenged Virginia households have parents with a lower education (high school or less). Perhaps even more startling is that there is a “70% likelihood that this economic cycle will be repeated for the children in these households as they become adults.” GRASP’s vision is to give ALL students in Virginia the opportunity to build fulfilling lives through postsecondary educational pathways. GRASP’s mission is to inspire students to believe that secondary and postsecondary education are attainable goals. The organization's longest-standing and core program consists of a network of in-school advisors who work with students and parents to educate them on how to fund postsecondary education and secure the resources to make their plans a reality. From this basic building block, GRASP has expanded to provide programs including a 10th -12th grade early commitment program, summer melt, college success and retention, scholarship programs, and beginning this year, a middle school program, all designed to reduce the persistent educational gap affecting underserved students and increase the numbers of low-income students who are ready for, enrolling in, and completing postsecondary education. During the 2017-2018 school year, GRASP advisors assisted 7,015 high school students and parents (90% of our resources are spent on those with extreme financial need) in overcoming economic and motivational challenges to the goal of higher education. Over the last ten years, GRASP has counseled 51,677 students with 90% of survey respondents indicating that they are going on to college. HISTORY GReat Aspirations Scholarship Program, Inc. (GRASP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, charitable, college-access organization that assists Virginia’s students and families in reaching their educational goals for after high school. Founded in 1983 by Senator Walter Stosch, a longtime advocate for children, and Dr. Ray Gargiulo, a career educator, the nonprofit fulfilled the need for assisting and advising students in the development of an educational plan for after high school. At its core, the program's model has always been in-school advisors coaching students and parents, presenting financial aid education in school classroom settings, and delivering financial aid seminars in libraries and other public forums. GRASP currently serves 88 high schools and 3 middle school from Bath County to Mecklenburg County to Northumberland County. In 2015, GRASP received the Richmond History Maker award from the Valentine Museum, in 2017 Charity Navigator designated GRASP a four-star charity, and in 2017, the organization became one of the few nonprofits in Virginia recognized by the Standards for Excellence® Institute as having met all the requirements for the Standards for Excellence Standards Basics. GRASP’s goal is to ensure that every student has an equal opportunity for continuing education after high school, regardless of financial or social circumstances. KEY PROGRAMS In-School Advising – GRASP fills a specific need in a high school by educating students about how to fund post-secondary education and providing hands-on help to follow through with the required applications. This is an involved process made more complicated by an array of deadlines and necessary information. In-school advisors work within high school counseling departments where they are welcomed for their particular expertise in post-secondary financial aid. Early Commitment – GRASP Advisors at selected schools mentor a cohort of students starting in tenth grade through SOAR Virginia®, an Early Commitment Scholarship Program created and funded by Virginia529 College Savings Plan℠ to inspire and assist high school students to reach their post-secondary education goals. Approximately ten percent of GRASP students participate in this program. This program encourages post-secondary education through a three-year mentoring process that promotes community service, good grades, appropriate behavior, and regular school attendance. In past years, 98% of participants graduated from high school. Summer Melt – During the summer following high school graduation, a texting program gives students a lifeline for help with roadblocks that arise between graduation and matriculation. Once enrolled, they may take advantage of GRASP’s College Success Program. College Success – Students have the opportunity to continue to receive support after high school graduation through the College Success Program, which uses a near-peer approach. The College Success Advisor, a recent college graduate, mentors students as they matriculate to a post-secondary institution. The program's focus on post-secondary retention is achieved through social media, email programs, and problem-solving services. The College Success GRASP advisor leverages existing college support systems while providing personalized assistance. Participating students may also apply for College Success Scholarships for post-secondary expenses. Last Dollar Scholarships – The GRASP in-school advisors are typically able to assemble a sizable financial aid package for students. However, expenses for books, technology needs, and other costs are frequently not covered by the financial aid package. As a result, some students are unable to attend the institution of their choice. The need for small, targeted Last Dollar Scholarships became apparent, and through the generosity of business and personal donors, these scholarships have become possible. GRASP awards at least one Last Dollar Scholarship per high school it serves. 2 + 2 Scholarships – A renewable scholarship designed to assist students in receiving a baccalaureate degree from one of Virginia’s colleges and universities at a much lower cost and with less debt. Select applicants will be awarded a scholarship of $1000 applied to their first year of community college which may be renewed in year two. These scholarships help meet the cost of books, a computer, or other expenses not covered by the student’s financial aid package. Role in Community GRASP strives to lift communities out of poverty by empowering more low-income students to aspire to and complete postsecondary education through comprehensive support that helps students and their families navigate the financial aid process, a significant barrier to postsecondary attainment. Postsecondary education can be a springboard in life and is one of the surest ways into the middle class. It can lift people and families out of poverty, increase the odds of landing better jobs, increase lifetime earnings, and lead to better health over the course of one's life. Educational attainment is more critical to the economic success of individuals and communities than ever before. As evidenced by a study from Georgetown University, the share of jobs that require postsecondary education has doubled over the last 40 years. As jobs require more skills, workers with only a high school diploma find it increasingly difficult to enter the middle class. GRASP's role is to provide accurate information with hands-on help in caring individual meetings as well as formal seminars so that students can access the many benefits of higher education. GRASP's newest program is a middle school early awareness initiative called, "Your Future", the intent of which is to directly impact adolescents at their most impressionable time. The program includes adult alumni who have relatable real-life success stories. The program leads middle school students through goal-setting and preparing for high school while emphasizing the influence of both on careers.