…an investment in the children and future of the entire Roanoke Region

 Provide opportunity for all 2008 Salem High School graduates to attend Virginia Western Community College.  Enable these students to continue their education in preparation for good, well-paying jobs within the region and/or transfer to a 4-year institution.  Provide an educated and well-qualified work-force  Provide an incentive for young people to remain in the region.

Educationally Challenged Source: U.S. Census

Median Earnings and Tax Payments of Full-Time Year-Round Workers, ages 25 + Professional Degree Doctoral Degree Master’s Degree Bachelor’s Degree Associate’s Degree Some College, No Degree High School Graduate Less Than High School $74, 500 $59,500 $49,600 $39,000 $31,500 $29,000 $24,900 $18,800 $25,500 $19,900 $14,700 $11,900 $9,100 $8,100 $6,600 $4,600 $100,000 $79,400 $61,300 $50,900 $40,600 $37,100 $31,500 $23,400 After-Tax IncomeTaxes Paid Source: College Board

SERVICE AREA TOTAL ENROLLED PERCENT Virginia Western Community College 7,264 53% Radford University Virginia Tech Roanoke College600 4 University of Virginia514 4 James Madison University415 3 Hollins University339 3 Virginia Commonwealth University Ferrum College Liberty University All Others 1, Total 13, % *Fall 2005

Certifications and Degrees:  23 associates degree programs  36 certificate degree programs Innovative Ways of Learning:  Distance Learning  Dual Enrollment  Weekend College Virginia Western Offers -

Transfer Programs:  VWCC students transfer to more than 30 Virginia four-year institutions.  Articulation agreements with over 20 colleges & universities = immediate acceptance.  Highest GPA in of all Virginia’s community colleges upon graduation.

 68% of new jobs created between require postsecondary training/education beyond high school, but will require less than a four-year degree.  85% of Virginia Western graduates stay in the region. Source: US Department of Labor

 Enroll at Virginia Western in the fall semester immediately following high school graduation in a degree/diploma/certificate program.  Custodial parent or court-approved legal guardian must reside within the City of Salem for 24 months prior to student’s graduation date; student must be a U.S. citizen or have permanent residency.  Meet all Virginia Western admission guidelines and achieve satisfactory scores on the college's placement tests.  Meet all City of Salem Community College Access Scholarship Program deadlines for submission of application materials.

 Applicants must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The program will fund tuition fees needed if financial aid is not available or does not adequately cover tuition.  Recipients must enroll for a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester.  Recipients must complete a minimum of 12 credits per semester with at least a 2.0 GPA in order to continue receiving tuition assistance.  Recipients may receive SCCAP assistance for four consecutive semesters (Fall and Spring) or 72 credit hours, whichever comes first.

66 Completed the Application Process  25% class of 2008  16% Increase  Funding  Federal Aid $25,000  City Funds$25,500  VWCC Ed. Foundation$25,500  Total$76,000

This pilot program is a public private partnership between the Virginia Western Community College Educational Foundation and the City of Salem