Announcing the launch of “The Dabney Promise”, a pilot program to award need-based scholarships to Dabney S. Lancaster Community College students, are (from left), Rachael Thompson, Executive Director of the DSLCC Educational Foundation; Donna Vaughn, DSLCC Educational Foundation Board First Vice President and Co-Chair of the Scholarship Committee; and DSLCC President Dr. John Rainone. The program is being administered through the DSLCC Educational Foundation.
Dabney S. Lancaster Community College is launching a pilot program to award need-based scholarships, which would cover the cost of tuition and books for qualified students in the DSLCC service area. The program will be administered through the DSLCC Educational Foundation.
The “Dabney Promise”, open to both new high school graduates as well as non-traditional students who meet a certain threshold of financial need, will be in effect for the 2016-17 school year. Applications are now being accepted for the fall, according to Rachael Thompson, Executive Director of the DSLCC Educational Foundation.
“The Dabney Promise Program is a tertiary level funding source, applied after scholarships and financial aid,” explains Thompson. “It is designed to ‘bridge the gap’ between any merit-based scholarships and financial aid received and the cost of tuition and books. Essentially, it helps qualified students achieve free tuition and books.”
Established in 1980, the Educational Foundation – with the support of generous donors – has awarded more than $1.5 million in scholarships throughout its history. Despite this high level of primarily merit-based scholarship support, many students are still left with a balance that is not affordable. “The result is a retention issue, with many students finding that after one or two semesters, they can’t afford to continue their education,” says Thompson.
“A major part of the Educational Foundation’s mission is to assist the College in increasing educational attainment for our service area,” remarks Donna Vaughn, DSLCC Educational Foundation Board First Vice President and Co-Chair of the Scholarship Committee. “Easing the road for students to complete their college education without the worry of significant financial burdens substantially decreases the obstacles that impede the progress of educational attainment.”
To be eligible, applicants must have: a 2.25 grade point average; residency within the College’s service area (the counties of Alleghany, Bath, northern Botetourt County, and Rockbridge, and the cities of Lexington, Buena Vista and Covington); completed scholarship application; and completed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application. Students may apply for and receive a traditional scholarship, as well as be accepted into the Dabney Promise program, says Thompson.
To maintain the yearly scholarship – applicants must reapply each year – students must maintain a 2.25 GPA , be enrolled in at least nine credit hours per semester, and complete the one-credit SDV course (“College Success Skills”, which is required for graduation from DSLCC) in the first semester. They also must attend two orientation sessions: one for the College, and another for the Dabney Promise Program, both prior to the start of the fall semester.
The most interesting requirement of the Promise Program is a four-hour community service project, pre-approved by the Foundation Office, to be completed each semester.
“The community service component could include anything from volunteering at an animal shelter or food bank, to participating in community clean-up days,” Thompson suggested. “We want students to have direct involvement in the community and further develop a desire to ‘give back.’ We believe this is a crucial part of the Promise Program and helps facilitate an atmosphere of volunteerism – both on campus and in our regional community.”
The Dabney Promise is modeled after America’s College Promise, a movement which continues to grow nationwide. These programs are critical for opening the door to a college education for those who would not be able to attend otherwise.
"We know that completing education at the high school level is no longer enough," commented DSLCC President Dr. John Rainone. "To enter employment, successfully perform job requirements, and have the opportunity to advance now means that some post-secondary education or training is needed; to be able to make programs available for all students, we need resources such as the Dabney Promise Program. I encourage students and families to learn more about this option if financial assistance is needed."
Thompson emphasized that the Dabney Promise Program is also open to adult or continuing students, as well as those who have earned a GED. It is also open to all of Dabney’s program disciplines, which range from welding, forestry and agriculture, to science, nursing and general studies, among many others.
Funding sources for the Dabney Promise Program come from a variety of private as well as public entities, says Thompson. “We are most thankful for and indebted to our generous donors, who continue to support the mission of education and foster a culture of philanthropy in our regional community. With their help, we are able to advance the Educational Foundation’s mission of ‘building futures, building lives, and building hope.’”
Students need to fill out only one application for both traditional scholarships and the Dabney Promise. The application is available online at dslcc.edu/scholarships, and the deadline to apply is April 11th. If awarded, students will be notified by late May (or early June, depending on admittance into certain DSLCC programs). For more information, to apply for scholarships and/or the Dabney Promise Program, or to make a donation, contact Thompson’s office at (540) 863-2837 or email rthompson@dslcc.edu.