Chicago State University recently launched new scholarship opportunities and academic programs to help fill both education and wealth gaps of Latinos and African Americans in Illinois.

Called the Cougar Commitment Initiative, the project will address not just the need for educational assistance, but the economic and personal struggles that may hinder some students from pursuing their studies.

The university said this pilot project aims to provide "micro-grants, financial education, and readiness of workforce and food pantries' accessibility." 

As the lone designated US Department of Education, the four-year primarily Black establishment in Illinois, this university is considered a critical institution for drawing back dropping rates of enrollment of African Americans.

The school also said the initiative is leveraging the influence of power education in dealing with wealth differences between the majority and minority communities.

Challenges Amplified

In a statement, according to CSU president, Zaldqaynaka Scott, with this audacious effort, the school delivers the message to potential students, as well as the families within the state and region, "We are here for you."

The school president added current events to amplify the challenges and highlight the need to deal with the range of struggles that result in barriers for both families and students looking in the quest for enrollment in college and, later on, earn a degree.

One of the projects underscored, Scott said, is the new "Rise Academy." It is a year-long student success program designed for first-year students. Also, according to the university, it has included a five-week summer program designed for incoming freshmen students.

Students who will complete the five-week program will get a 100-percent tuition scholarship grant for the school year 2020-2021. Aside from entirely free tuition, students are also provided with a laptop, access to the Internet, and Textbooks.

Opportunities for a Diverse Student Body

In a statement, the school's director of admissions and recruitment, Carlos A. Gooden, said, "CSU has always welcomed a diverse group of students," with over 60 percent college students, who, he called "the first generation."

According to Gooden, Cougar Commitment is leading the way to a whole lot more, making students and higher education meet in high school. It also offers the resources that will contribute to back scholastic success, once they enroll at the university.

These opportunities for Latino and African American students are backed by the school's reallocation of present funding and gifts "from partners such as The Joyce Foundation."

CSU, which was established in 1867, is a public, wide-ranging post-secondary organization that positions distinctively as one of the oldest public education institutions of Illinois. It provides access to higher education for a diversity of educational requirements backgrounds.

Besides, the university is a university that's nationally accredited. It comprises five college courses, including Business Education, Arts, and Science, Pharmacy, and Health Science.

The school also offers 31 undergraduate programs and 25 graduate degree-granting courses. Constantly evolves to mirror hi-tech trends in higher education, the university readies students to achieve success in the 21st century.

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