Grant Goes To Disabled At HBCUs

 WASHINGTON -- With over 1.2 million college students with disabilities enrolled in our nation's colleges and universities, the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) has launched a program, funded by a contribution from AT&T* to provide scholarships to students with disabilities attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

The Inclusion Scholars Program (ISP) is an initiative designed to increase the recruitment, enrollment, and graduation rates of students with disabilities at HBCUs and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs); support efforts by HBCUs and PBIs to increase graduation rates of traditionally underserved students, and assess HBCU campus readiness to receive students with disabilities.

The inaugural class of "Inclusion Institutions" includes Bethune-Cookman College (Daytona, FL), Morgan State University(Baltimore, MD) and Tennessee State University (Nashville, TN). Each institution will receive a $36,000 grant offering one incoming freshman a $9,000 award toward tuition and fees for each of four years.

"We are excited about this new initiative and look to the day when HBCUs and PBIs meet the criteria to become and maintain status as a NAFEO Inclusion Institution," said Lezli Baskerville, NAFEO President and CEO.  "Founded on principles of excellence, access and inclusion, HBCUs and PBIs must lead the higher education community in taking affirmative steps to recruit and enroll diverse students, including those protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act."

Students interested in participating in the Inclusion Scholars Program must apply and be accepted for admission in the fall 2011 class of one of the ISPs and apply directly to NAFEO to be designated an Inclusion Scholar.

"The ISP program will provide students with disabilities with valuable training and resources, particularly in the area of career preparation.  Our goal in supporting this initiative is for the students receiving these scholarships to have rewarding experiences at an HBCU and graduate prepared to thrive in the workforce and compete in the global economy," said Laura Sanford, Assistant Vice President Corporate Contributions, AT&T.