GRASP helps further education in Highland

MONTEREY — Renee Vandevander of McDowell graduated from Mary Baldwin College in 2009 with a degree in art and writing. She came back to Highland to live and work. She’s on the staff of Evelyn’s Pantry, making sandwiches and running the cash register. But she was recently approached to fill a position that would help fulfill hunger of a different kind — a hunger for education.

Vandevander started this week working part-time for Great Aspirations Scholarship Program Inc. (GRASP). Her job is to inform high school students about scholarship and other financial aid opportunities for post-secondary education, college and vocational. She will work at Highland High School at least five hours a week. She’ll also be putting in some hours at night.

“I’ll help them figure out everything they need to know about college and about the process,” she said. She’ll carry the title of financial aid advisor, but she’ll do more than find sources of money to pay for advanced education.

In January, 15-17 qualifying ninth graders will have an opportunity to be part of a pilot program that grants money to those who make a commitment to keep their grades up, graduate, and pursue more education after high school. She’ll be working with these students to keep them focused on the goal of attaining an education that can prepare them for the challenges of the 21st century workplace. An important part of the incentive package to doing well in school is a monetary award.

The Virginia College Savings Plan early commitment program will place $250 in a special account for their future education. That’s year one. They’ll get another $250 in their sophomore year, $500 in their junior year and another $500 in their senior year of school. If they attended a Virginia public school, they will get $500 more, for a total of $2,000. That’s just the beginning. There’s $90,000 invested in the program, enough to take care of at least some initial costs of higher education for roughly 45 HHS students.

“I am really excited about this,” said Hanger. “Sen. (Walter) Stosch has been telling me about progress with this for several years. New tax credits are part of what makes it work. In Highland County this program can make a huge difference.”

Stosch sponsored the Virginia Neighborhood Assistance Act in 1983.

“Ninety-thousand dollars is a wow,” said Virginia Del. Dickie Bell. “It will mean so much to the people over here. It’s a terrific thing. I am thrilled that so many schools in my district are in this program.”

Bell noted the money from the program could also be used for technical and vocational education after graduation.

This is but one program, though, that Vandevander will be working with. More importantly, said communication director Karen Doran at GRASP headquarters in Glen Allen, “GRASP’s in–school advising program is the focus and foundation of our organization … Having a financial aid advisor to help high school seniors navigate the financial aid maze provides opportunities for post-secondary education that many students otherwise forego. It is through our financial aid advising that we have a proven track record of helping students pursue their education after high school.” Vandevander is being paid through GRASP, which receives community support through the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge, which awards nearly $500,000 a year to various philanthropic programs in the cities of Staunton and Waynesboro, and the counties of Augusta, Highland and Nelson.

The Virginia Neighborhood Assistance Act provides a tax incentive of up to 40 percent from state income tax for donations to programs such as GRASP. The programs under the Neighborhood Assistance Act are designed primarily to provide education assistance for “impoverished” people, Doran said. “She added, “More than 50 percent of the students and families with whom we work fall within that definition. This allows us to fit within the Neighborhood Assistance Act and thus offer the state income tax credit. The fact that we also offer scholarships to some of our students is irrelevant to this tax credit, although it is a source of pride for GRASP.”

“It’s a marvelous program,” said Virginia State Sen. Emmett Hanger.

Bettsy Heggie, executive director of GRASP, said, “All students will benefit from meeting with their GRASP advisor who will help them to access state, federal and institutional financial aid whose awards typically range from low interest student loans to as high as full payment for college tuition. We have seen awards in excess of $35,000 a year.”

This program wouldn’t be in Highland but for the efforts of Becky Kohler, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge, said Heggie. “GRASP will reach many in each community,” she continued.

“It’s wonderful to have help,” added Missy Douglas, HHS math teacher and part-time guidance counselor. “There will be someone else to provide funding for these kids. She will be an additional person to work with them on financial aid; and it’s not just for need-based grants. There are other things as well.

To learn more about the Highland program, e-mail Vandevander at Highland@ GRASPforVirginia.com or call HHS at 468-6320 and ask to speak to the GRASP financial aid advisor.