The U.S. Department of Education has earmarked $44.5 million in grants to enhance participation and completion rates in postsecondary education among students in rural communities. The move, which forms part of the Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development (RPED) grant program, seeks to align high-quality career pathways with high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand industry sectors and occupations in these regions.
The initiative underscores a pressing need to bridge the educational gap between rural and urban or suburban communities. Current statistics reveal that only 29% of individuals aged between 18 and 24 in rural areas are enrolled in higher education. This is significantly lower compared to their urban counterparts at nearly 48%, and suburban peers at 42%.
Students in rural communities face unique challenges in accessing and completing college education. These range from figuring out how to finance their education and navigating the application process, to overcoming practical obstacles like reliable transportation, food and housing insecurity, and access to health care and high-speed internet.
The Biden-Harris administration’s recent announcement signals a strong commitment to empower these rural communities by leveraging their strengths, attracting new investments, and preparing students for the high-skill, high-wage jobs of the future.
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona emphasized the transformative potential of this investment. “When we invest in postsecondary attainment in rural communities, we create pathways for students to find rewarding careers that do not require them to leave their hometowns for economic opportunity,” he said.
Cardona added that the grants would help rural institutions ‘Raise the Bar’ for student success and attainment of valuable degrees and credentials. This, in turn, would pave the way for brighter futures and greater prosperity for students in these communities.
Through this substantial investment, the U.S. Department of Education aims to catalyze positive change in rural communities, fostering educational equity and economic development. By focusing on creating high-quality career pathways closely aligned with regional industry needs, the RPED grant program has the potential to significantly boost postsecondary education enrollment, persistence, and completion rates among rural students. This initiative is a significant step towards ensuring that all students, regardless of their geographical location, have equitable access to higher education and promising career opportunities.
The 2023 list of grantees can be found here.
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