After gaining admission to a school or program, persisting to a degree can be a challenge for students. Finances, academics, or any other number of factors can impact a student’s ability to complete a program or degree.
The Kenan Trust funds projects that provide support for students to remain on their educational track until degree completion. Funded projects may include:
- Academic support such as tutoring, writing centers, learning centers
- Summer bridge and orientation programs for first-year students
- Support for families of first-generation students
- Peer support groups through campus organizations and social groups
The Kenan Trust also funds scholarships for students who are at risk of withdrawing due to finances.
Grants in this area are by invitation only, and sizes vary depending on the capacity of the applying organization and the scope and reach of the proposed project.
Featured Grant in Retention: Hollins University
The Kenan Trust awarded a grant to Hollins University to support the Kenan Scholars Fund. The Fund was established to provide immediate financial hardship assistance to students already enrolled at Hollins who are at risk of withdrawing from their degree path. These funds fill a gap for students who might otherwise pause their degree progress to focus on employment or may transfer to another educational entity. Students who remain enrolled and progressing toward a degree are much more likely to persist to degree completion than those who leave their program or those who pause their progress with the intention of returning in the future.
