The University of South Carolina has joined the STARS College Network, a coalition of 32 of the nation’s most prominent institutions dedicated to ensuring that students from rural and small-town America have the information and support they need to enroll and graduate from the college or university of their choice. STARS is made possible by the generosity and commitment of Trott Family Philanthropies, which will build on its initial launch gift of $20 million with an additional investment of more than $150 million over 10 years.
As one of the 16 new members, USC will combine its own resources with STARS philanthropy and collaborate with other STARS member institutions to support pipeline programs and recruiting efforts, as well as offer financial aid and on-campus programs to support students who enroll.
In the last year, USC has made significant efforts to support students from South Carolina, a state where nearly one-third of residents live in rural areas or small towns:
- Guaranteeing admission for all graduating high school seniors in South Carolina ranked inside the top 10 percent of their high school classes
- Recently implementing the USC Commitment Grant, which covers tuition and academic fees across the USC system for in-state students inside the top 10% of their high school classes with an annual family household income below $80,000
- Freezing tuition for in-state students for the sixth consecutive year at the Columbia campus and seventh for system institutions
“As South Carolina’s flagship institution, we believe it is our duty to provide students from every corner of our state access to higher education,” said Scott Verzyl, vice president for enrollment management. “This is also one of the cornerstones of President Amiridis’ strategic priorities: to continually recruit, retain and graduate a diverse student body and ensure opportunity for all South Carolinians. Vital to that is having resources and programs in place to reach students in rural communities across the state. Our membership in the STARS program will help us greatly add to the foundation we’ve built in this area.”
Breaking the barriers to entry
While students in small towns and rural communities graduate high school at roughly the same rate as students in metro areas, they are only half as likely to graduate from a selective college or university. USC aims to address some of the obstacles that contribute to this disparity through participation in the STARS College Network.
Small town and rural students face a shortage of school counselors, which limits access to educators and college access professionals who have experience with the full spectrum of college opportunities. Moreover, students in these areas are also less likely to encounter college-related ads or attend events on campuses, and many do not have the networks and resources to help them understand the financial aid process and other support available to them.
STARS activities direct resources to deal with the unique challenges associated with rural communities and may include:
- Visiting rural high schools to bring information about a wider variety of institutions directly to students and educators
- Giving prospective students and educators more opportunities to experience STARS campuses first-hand through free trips to visit colleges and summer programs that help prepare students academically and socially for college
- Providing monthly virtual panels with college admissions staff from Network schools, with topics designed to meet students wherever they are in their college search process
- Addressing math preparation gaps through a new partnership with Khan Academy and Schoolhouse.world that provides students with free courses and tutoring
- Partnering with local and national businesses to provide internships and job opportunities for the next generation of rural America
- Advocating for federal, state and local legislation that would support rural and small-town communities
Making an impact
In its inaugural year, more than 250,000 students across the country joined the STARS College Network and took part in STARS activities. STARS outreach connected with 1.6 million people, including students, families, educators, administrators, foundations, legislators, companies and other organizations.
Research shows that college graduates from rural areas often return to their communities, so efforts to help rural students get the greatest benefit from higher education can create a virtuous cycle of support, success and giving back to the next generation. By joining the STARS College Network, USC will step up existing efforts to build South Carolina’s workforce and economy.
“We’re excited about the opportunity to further extend our outreach efforts through our partnership with STARS,” said Elizabeth Orehovec, assistant vice president for enrollment management and executive director of undergraduate admissions. “Rural students often face barriers when exploring their college options including transportation, reliable internet access and fewer or no college prep activities. Our goal is to work directly with students, families and others in the community to highlight the accessibility of a college degree and to showcase the benefits to the students and their communities.”