Grant money is relied upon by colleges and universities to expand their campuses and their educational offerings. Public and private institutions this year have received millions of dollars in grants that are to be put toward student scholarships, community services and more. Some of the money is to be put toward healthcare initiatives, while others is to go toward international business, entrepreneurship and arts-related offerings and more.

AT Still University, which is based in Kirksville, Mo., for example, received Health Resources and Services Administration grants valued at more than $5.86 million, according to an October announcement from the institution. The money is to be used at the institution’s Mesa, Ariz., campus for a workforce development initiative that’s part of its Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health and to establish a department of family and community medicine at its School of Osteopathic Medicine.

In Kirksville, the money is to benefit instruction and more at AT Still University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine and a workforce development initiative at the institution’s School of Health Management. AT Still University plans to put additional Health Resources and Services Administration grant money toward classroom resources and technology. The Health Resources and Services and Services Administration is a US Department of Health and Human Services agency.

Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz., on the other hand received a $43.4 million US Department of Education grant designed to help a statewide education initiative. This Teacher Incentive Fund Grant has been provided to the university’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College as part of school reform within the state. With the Arizona Department of Education and a statewide schools network known as the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching, Arizona State University is leading a project designed to enhance student achievement, keep educators who are exceptionally effective and more. The project, known as the Arizona Ready-for-Rigor Project, includes a pay system for teachers that’s based on performance.

The grant was announced by Arizona State University in October, a time when the institution also announced receipt of $1 million from state Governor Jan Brewer. This $1 million is to be used by the institution to establish a program that would help students, faculty members and are companies establish or enhance entrepreneurial ventures. The program, known as Venture Catalyst, would be based at Arizona State University’s Scottsdale Innovation Center and would include mentoring and group training components, according to the institution.

In addition to Arizona State University, Benedictine University in Lisle, Ill., was awarded a US Department of Education grant. Benedictine University’s $188,000-plus award is to be provided over the course of two years. It’s known as a Title VI Business and International Education Program Grant, and it’s designed to help Benedictine University’s College of Business provide international training to business professionals. The College of Business plans in part to put the money toward establishing travel abroad scholarships and a web portal where the education community, local businesses and international organizations would be able to interact.

In Boston, an historic grant is to be shared with summer music students. Boston University’s Tanglewood Institute received an $80,000 National Endowment for the Arts grant that the university reports is the largest endowment grant in the institution’s history. The institute is a program of the Boston University College of Fine Arts School and Music that provides summer training to gifted high school musicians. The College of Fine Arts School and Music plans to put the money toward salaries for artists-in-residence and toward student scholarships that would be designed to recruit a more diverse group of students, according to the Boston University announcement.

By: Kayla Russell

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Higher education is something that many people would like to achieve, but that not all people believe is in their reach. You may think of higher education as limited to universities and colleges with campuses scattered around the country. If you don’t live near one of these institutions, or you can’t just take time away from your life to go to one, what are the best options that you have for higher education? Actually you have a wide selection of options in nearly every price range and to fit every schedule. There are community colleges, college extension programs, distance learning programs and online universities, colleges, and technical schools-all offer a great opportunity for higher education.

Community colleges are a great way to get a 2 year degree that will put you right into your career of choice, or give you the higher education foundation to go on to a 4 year school. If you are not sure what you want to do, this is a good, less expensive option and the entrance requirements may not be as strict as a university.

College extension programs are higher education programs offered in outlying or rural areas by colleges and universities to individuals who would like a four year degree, but cannot get to the university central campus. These courses carry the same weight as those offered at the main campus.

Distance learning is one of the newer options for those wanting higher education. Usually it is provided through a college or university as an online program. People can take courses to update their skills or even get degrees. Again, just as with the extension courses, these are at the same level as the courses offered on campus.

One of the newer higher education offerings is online colleges, universities and technical schools. There are hundreds on the internet. Many are accredited and offer degrees that are as highly respected as those offered at a traditional university. The advantage of this type of school is that you can start and stop whenever you need to. You can do your coursework on your own schedule. You will be able to interact with your professor and students through chat rooms and message boards. You don’t have to get new housing or transportation. Just make sure that the program you sign up for is recognized by the field or career that you are going into as a legitimate program. You can get anything from an associate’s to a doctorate and even a degree as a web designer.

By: Eriani Doyel

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