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Title III: A Critically Important Federal Initiative Supporting Rural Community Colleges. Policy Paper.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Title III: A Critically Important Federal Initiative Supporting Rural Community Colleges. Policy Paper.
Language: English
Authors: Katsinas, Stephen G., Opp, Ronald D., MDC, Inc., Chapel Hill, NC.
Availability: MDC, Inc., Attn: Publications Orders, P.O. Box l7268, Chapel Hill, NC 27516-7268 ($10). Tel: 919-968-4531. For full text: http://www.mdcinc.org/rcci/titleiii.pdf.
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 10
Publication Date: 2001
Document Type: Reports - Descriptive
Descriptors: Adult Education, Community Colleges, Developing Institutions, Economically Disadvantaged, Endowment Funds, Federal Aid, First Generation College Students, Grants, Minority Groups, Position Papers, Poverty Areas, Rural Schools, Two Year Colleges
Laws, Policies and Program Identifiers: Higher Education Act Title III
Abstract: Title III, the Strengthening Institutions Program, is one of the most important federal programs for rural community colleges. Created by the Higher Education Act of 1965, Title III provides institutional aid to qualified colleges and universities that serve large numbers of first-generation, low-income students and students from groups historically underrepresented in higher education. Title III is particularly valuable for rural community colleges because it allows colleges to address locally defined needs; requires an intensive self-study to identify institutional weaknesses; provides up to $350,000 per year for 5 years; is available only to institutions that serve large number of low-income students; can be used to develop new programs and services; and is especially useful for technology and telecommunications upgrades. Appropriations to Title III have declined from a decade ago. Policymakers are urged to expand Title III appropriations to double the number of institutional grants, increase the maximum grant to $600,000 per year, restore the endowment challenge grant program, expand cooperative grants, and commission a national study of the impact of Title III and the important unmet needs of community colleges. As background to the case for expanding Title III, this report includes a brief history of Title III and its shift from funding historically Black colleges to assisting all community colleges; describes endowment challenge grants; discusses the rural digital divide; and presents examples of Title III's impact at Ashland Community College (Kentucky) and Southwest Texas Junior College. (TD)
Entry Date: 2003
Accession Number: ED470505
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Title III, the Strengthening Institutions Program, is one of the most important federal programs for rural community colleges. Created by the Higher Education Act of 1965, Title III provides institutional aid to qualified colleges and universities that serve large numbers of first-generation, low-income students and students from groups historically underrepresented in higher education. Title III is particularly valuable for rural community colleges because it allows colleges to address locally defined needs; requires an intensive self-study to identify institutional weaknesses; provides up to $350,000 per year for 5 years; is available only to institutions that serve large number of low-income students; can be used to develop new programs and services; and is especially useful for technology and telecommunications upgrades. Appropriations to Title III have declined from a decade ago. Policymakers are urged to expand Title III appropriations to double the number of institutional grants, increase the maximum grant to $600,000 per year, restore the endowment challenge grant program, expand cooperative grants, and commission a national study of the impact of Title III and the important unmet needs of community colleges. As background to the case for expanding Title III, this report includes a brief history of Title III and its shift from funding historically Black colleges to assisting all community colleges; describes endowment challenge grants; discusses the rural digital divide; and presents examples of Title III's impact at Ashland Community College (Kentucky) and Southwest Texas Junior College. (TD)