Victoria College was selected as a recipient of the 2023 Progress, Accomplishment, Thriving, Hope (PATH) Scholarship grant program by the Ellucian Foundation to support students facing economic hardships. The $10,000 grant, administered through the VC Foundation, allowed VC to award transportation-assistance scholarships to 50 academic and transfer students during the Fall 2023 semester.
About half of VC’s students live in rural counties and commute to classes, making transportation costs a financial burden for some.
“When students consider whether or not they can afford college, transportation costs can mean the difference between enrolling or sitting out an entire semester,” said Bobby Cubriel, VC Director of Advising, Counseling, & Support Services. “Financial assistance in the form of gas cards, scholarships, and grants can be a real gamechanger for students who commute long distances from rural counties.”
The PATH Scholarship grant allowed VC to extend support for transportation costs to its academic and transfer students, in addition to existing funding for career and technical students who commute.
“Victoria College is honored to be recognized for our commitment to student success, and we appreciate the Ellucian Foundation’s investment in our VC community,” said Amy Mundy, Executive Director of Advancement & the VC Foundation. “The PATH Scholarship grant will help our rural students stay on track to achieve their educational goals.”
The PATH Scholarship program was established in 2020 by Ellucian, a leading technology solutions provider for higher education. Since its inception, the program has provided more than $2 million in grants to support students at two-year public colleges across the United States.
“Two-year public colleges are at the heart of the US higher education system, serving as educational and career launchpads for students by providing critical skills and access to a wide range of learners,” said Laura Ipsen, President and CEO of Ellucian. “It’s imperative that we support these students by mitigating the obstacles that make it difficult to stay in school and develop the skills that are integral to our workforce and society. Through the PATH Scholarship program, we are dedicated to investing in their potential and contributing to their success.”
Victoria College was one of 25 colleges nationwide to receive a 2023 PATH Scholarship grant.