Grand Valley State University was selected to participate as one of the 16 colleges in the Phoenix Pact, a scholarship program for low-income students at North Lawndale College Preparatory High School in Chicago.

Jodi Chycinski, director of admissions at GVSU, said more than 95 percent of the students in the North Lawndale neighborhood, located on the west side of Chicago serving about 900 students, are underrepresented minority students from low-income households.

In addition, the program allows for the student’s total cost of attendance – excluding amounts covered by grants and scholarships – to be paid for under the Phoenix Pact. Chycinski said North Lawndale has raised more than $18 million to fund the pact, which was announced in May.

“In combination with any Grand Valley scholarships or grants, the Phoenix Pact funds ensure that 100 percent of demonstrated financial need is met for all qualifying North Lawndale College Preparatory graduates,” she said.

To qualify, Chycinski said students must earn a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher and enroll at GVSU. The pact requires a zero dollar contribution from family, according to their FASFA.

“This is a systemic approach to dramatically increase college graduation rates for minority, low-income students,” she said.

Lynn Blue, vice president for enrollment development at GVSU, said the graduation rate for underrepresented minorities at GVSU is higher than the national average. Additionally, she is hopeful that GVSU will continue improving graduation rates, and enrollment development’s strategic plan will set some improvement targets for the university.

“The real impact is that our university is again recognized by an external organization as a place where all undergraduate students can be successful and that we are a welcoming institution for students from all socio-economic backgrounds.” Blue said.

Chycinski said that with the gap funding, the Phoenix Pact can reward students who work hard to maintain their academic success. Also, she said it acts to benefit colleges who commit to supporting and graduating students at high rates.

“GVSU was asked to participate as a ‘success college’ due to our strong commitment to undergraduate student success and our graduation rates,” she said.

Other universities participating in the Phoenix Pact include Michigan State University, Oberlin College in Ohio and the University of Illinois at Chicago and Urbana. North Lawndale has two campuses, which decided on the participating colleges based upon their cumulative graduation rates.

In addition, GVSU will share data per the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) guidelines so both parties can maintain student and Phoenix Pact costs at sustainable levels.

“GVSU will proactively work with the Phoenix Pact fund to address the persistence issue for North Lawndale College Preparatory alumni at Grand Valley to and through graduation,” Chycinski said.

For information on the Phoenix Pact visit, www.phoenixpact.org.