Our two-year institution enrolls a large percentage of first-generation students. Are we eligible to apply for a planning grant?
Our program is focused on supporting students enrolling in a four-year institution and providing a residential college experience for first-generation students. Two-year institutions are not eligible at this time.
We are a private university that enrolls a number of first-generation students who live on campus. Are we eligible for the planning grant opportunity?
Our mission statement specifies that our program is intended to support students at public universities; private institutions are not eligible at this time.
Our institution has an enrollment of fewer than 10,000 or greater than 25,000 undergraduate students. Does this number disqualify us from applying for the grant?
Universities within our target size provide an ideal environment for refining the Suder Scholars Program model. As the program expands, schools with larger or smaller enrollments can become eligible.
How does The Suder Foundation define “first-generation students”?
We define first-generation students as “those whose parents have no education beyond high school (irrespective of other family members, such as older siblings or aunts and uncles).” We realize this definition is narrower than definitions used by some institutions; however, we are interested in providing opportunities to students whose parents do not have higher education experiences and lack the ability to share their experiences to assist with their child’s transition and progression through graduation.
Our campus serves a significant number of adult learners and commuter students who are classified as first-generation students. Can these students be considered for the Suder Scholars Program?
Our program focuses on providing a residential college experience to students entering college from high school. We recognize that a significant number of first-generation students are non-traditional students; our program is structured to serve students residing on campus.
We already offer some of the support services described in the Suder Scholars Program model. Is coordination with existing services permissible?
TSF will collaborate with the selected institutions during the planning phase to identify existing resources that support students. The Suder Scholars Program includes a dedicated staff member to work with students and will offer special programming. In addition, the director will serve as a resource for information about other programs or campus services that students can access.
We already offer scholarships for first-generation students through a designated program. Will the Suder Foundation fund our existing program?
The Suder Foundation will not fund proposals to contribute to existing scholarship programs. Our scholar selection process, individualized holistic support services, and commitment to data-driven program evaluation present challenges to merging our program with existing programs.
Does The Suder Foundation allow for indirect costs?
We have determined that no more than 10% for indirect costs is appropriate.
How large a team can we send to visit the existing program sites?
The budget should reflect the estimated expenses for the planning coordinator to visit the existing program sites. Additional planning team members are welcome to participate, although their costs will not be covered by the planning grant.
What type of funding commitment is initially required from a university?
Our program model requires that the university contribute resources from the program’s initiation, with the understanding that a greater percentage of the program’s costs will be assumed each year over the next four years. Each university’s contribution may vary and can include additional funds toward scholarships, housing and/or meals for the scholars, administrative staff, or other resources.
DID YOU KNOW?
First-generation students are more likely than their peers to have limited access to information about the college experience.
• Scholars Program overview
(updated 02/15/2010)
