BOONE, N.C.—Beth Marsh, director of academic services for ACCESS students, received $1,000 in additional funding from the Women’s Fund of the Blue Ridge (WFBR) — a philanthropic group committed to creating positive change and economic justice for women and girls in the High Country — to offer summer school opportunities for women in Appalachian State University’s ACCESS program. The funds are part of a total $5,000 grant that will provide five summer school scholarships ($1,000 each) for recipients enrolled in 40 hours of coursework among them.

The greatest deterrent to students, including women, from low-income families pursuing higher education is cost. These students do not pursue a college education for fear that they cannot afford it, or they will never be able to repay loans that they will need to attend college.

Appalachian is committed to making higher education affordable for North Carolina students and has developed the Appalachian Commitment to a College Education for Student Success (ACCESS) program as a method to ensure that students from low-income families in North Carolina can attend Appalachian.

Funding for attendance in summer school would make graduation more likely for ACCESS women. While ACCESS promises a debt-free education with funds for eight semesters, it does not guarantee ample funds for summer school attendance and does not permit students to take out loans.

With the money awarded from the Women’s Fund of the Blue Ridge, ACCESS will award five $1,000 scholarships for summer school at Appalachian in 2018. These funds will make it possible for the student’s living expenses (rent, food and transportation) to be covered with some additional financial support for tuition from ACCESS.

These scholarships will be awarded to students who are completing summer internships away from home, participating in research projects here on campus, or taking classes that are needed to be able to graduate in eight semesters.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

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