Biden-Harris Administration Grants Over $44 Million to Enhance Postsecondary Education Opportunities for Rural Students

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) has just announced over $44.5 million distributed among 22 grants as part of the Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development (RPED) program. The goal is to enhance postsecondary enrollment, persistence, and completion rates for rural students by creating high-quality career pathways that align with high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand industry sectors in the region.

In the words of U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, “Rural communities encounter distinct hurdles in preparing high-skill workers, yet they house students with exceptional talents and potential. This funding is dedicated to ensuring that rural students have access to postsecondary credentials and resources that lead to promising career pathways and economic prosperity.”

The RPED grant program sought applicants to offer programs supporting secondary students in accessing postsecondary education, establishing partnerships with career pathways, and facilitating the transition of community college students to four-year institutions.

The following is the list of the FY24 RPED grantees with their respective states, names, granted amounts, and program descriptions:

– Alabama: Chattahoochee Valley Community College – $2,226,554
– Alabama: George Corley Wallace State Community College – $2,227,500
– Alabama: Unite Inc. – $2,179,248
– California: Palo Verde College – $2,227,500
– Indiana: University of Indianapolis – $2,033,672
– Kansas: Independence Community College – $2,225,606
– Kansas: Newman University – $2,103,308
– Kentucky: Western Kentucky University – $2,035,668
– Montana: University of Montana-Missoula College – $1,815,359
– Nebraska: Nebraska Children and Families Foundation – $2,227,500
– New Mexico: New Mexico Educational Assistance Foundation – $1,804,726
– North Carolina: Halifax Community College – $2,182,035
– Ohio: Marion Technical College – $1,714,423
– Ohio: Ohio University – $2,022,519
– South Dakota: Black Hills State University – $1,993,247
– South Dakota: University of South Dakota School of Education – $2,227,335
– Texas: The Garrett Center on Transition and Disability Studies at Sam Houston State University – $2,219,533
– Washington: Grays Harbor College – $2,227,500
– Washington: Heritage University – $811,773
– West Virginia: EdVenture Group Inc. – $1,956,655
– West Virginia: Southern Regional Education Board – $2,175,937
– Wisconsin: Western Technical College – $2,202,231

They amount to a grand total of $44,839,829 allocated for various endeavors to bolster postsecondary education and career pathways for rural students. For more details about the RPED program, kindly visit Rural Postsecondary & Economic Development (RPED) Program.