The Colorado Department of Higher Education has awarded the Center for Individualized Learning more than $35,000 in support of the Adult Re-entry Student Program.

“We have taken the lead on assisting adult re-entry students because of the center’s capacity to advise adult students and the possibility that these students may find an individualized degree plan to be their most efficient route to degree completion,” says Elizabeth Parmelee, director of the center, which acts as advocate and advisor for returning students. “We’re excited that between 30 and 60 students will be able to receive (scholarship) awards.”

The majority of the grant, $31,305, will be used to fund scholarships for returning adult students. The eligibility criteria for the scholarships are:

• the student must be returning to their studies (readmitted or transfer) after an absence of one year or more
• the student must be PELL-eligible
• be an adult student (25 years and older)
• have completed 90 credit hours
• have a 2.0 GPA (or a 1.9 to 2.0 GPA with recommendation from an advisor at Student Support Services)
• the student must meet with the re-entry coordinator at least one time. The scholarships will be used for the spring 2011 semester in the amount of $1,000 for full-time students and $500 for part-time students.

Students will not need to apply, according to Parmelee. “We will identify eligible students, contact them and ask them to set up an appointment,” she says.

The center was also awarded an additional $4,000 to be used for adult re-entry student grants of $250 each for one-time emergency use to pay for books or balances that are due. The same eligibility requirements will be used for the grants as stated above. Parmelee says the funds are really useful for the students because some may have small outstanding balances on their accounts that could prevent them for registering.

A major focus of this work – in addition to the support of individual students to ensure their success – is to gather data about the barriers to re-entry and the challenges that present themselves as students work toward degree completion. The center received initial funding for the programming in spring 2009.

The center has also announced that Erika Church has joined the staff as the new re-entry coordinator. Her role is to assist returning adult students with any challenges that may appear (financial aid, transfer credits, etc.) and to advise them, regardless of their major/minor, to ensure that they are able to return to their studies successfully.