LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville has received a $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds prepare for and succeed in college.
The five-year grant funds a new initiative—the University of Louisville Talent Search Program—which will help more than 500 students from six public schools in Jefferson County. The program targets middle and high school students who have the potential to succeed in college and provides them with academic, personal and career counseling.
Beneficiary high schools are Central, Fern Creek, Moore and Shawnee. Middle school beneficiaries are Moore and Western.
Ralph Fitzpatrick, UofL’s associate vice president for community engagement, said two full-time counselors will be hired to help his department oversee and implement the program.
The program’s main focus will be to build “a college-going culture” and steer students toward such resources as academic enrichment courses, tutoring, career guidance and financial aid, he said.
“This program is a great complement to our ongoing Signature Partnership initiative,” said UofL President James Ramsey. “It means we can do even more to help middle and high school students pursue the dream of a college degree.”