As part of the Obama Administration’s on-going commitment to expand educational opportunity and access for all Americans, the U.S. Department of Education released a new report highlighting the efforts of postsecondary institutions across the nation that excel in enrolling and graduating students from low-income households.
In Fulfilling the Promise, Serving the Need: Advancing College Opportunity for Low-Income Students, Florida International University (FIU) was among the universities identified as outperforming peer colleges and universities in serving Pell-eligible students well by improving access and narrowing the completion gap between Pell and non Pell-eligible students.
“For students from low- and moderate-income families, a college degree is the surest path to the middle class in our country,” said U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr in a press release. “I applaud the colleges and universities that have taken measurable steps to open up this pathway and make it a successful one for students from all backgrounds. But we need these types of efforts to become the rule and not the exception.”
It is no surprise FIU is among the universities featured in the report. Nearly sixty percent of the students enrolled at FIU receive Pell Grants, and fifty-three percent of this student population goes on to graduate within six years. In fact, the completion rate of Pell grant recipients exceeds that of all students by one percentage point.
The report not only highlights schools doing a good job serving low-income students but also provides recommendations based on best practices for colleges and universities that still have room for improvement when it comes to broadening support for low-income students.
To read the full report, click here.