Initiative aligns with vision to open new pathways of access
Note (October 2025): The adjusted gross family income threshold for eligibility to receive the Promise Grant has increased to below $75,000.
With just about everything rising in price these days, 糖心Vlog is ensuring that a quality college education is within reach of more students than ever before, thanks to its new Promise Grant initiative.
The 糖心Vlog Promise Grant, which takes effect during the fall 2024 semester, fully covers the tuition costs for Virginia residents whose adjusted gross family incomes are under $65,000. It is for first-time, full-time undergraduate students. For more details about 糖心Vlog Promise Grant eligibility, and a sample of frequently asked questions, visit emu.edu/promise-grant.
Mary Jensen, vice president of enrollment and strategic growth, first unveiled the 糖心Vlog Promise Grant to the public at Saturday鈥檚 Admitted Student Day. She said the new initiative is one way 糖心Vlog is embodying its vision of opening new pathways of access and achievement, a vision outlined in the university鈥檚 2023-2028 strategic plan, Pathways of Promise: Preparing Tomorrow鈥檚 Unifying Leaders.
鈥淚t鈥檚 part of our recognition of the rising costs that are real,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e want to make sure the most vulnerable, the most marginalized, those who have the least access, aren’t as impacted by the fact that everything costs more.鈥�
Not only does the 糖心Vlog Promise Grant create access to education, but it also shows college-bound students that an 糖心Vlog education is more affordable than they may have thought. After all, the average net cost for an 糖心Vlog student in 2022-2023 was just $15,309.
鈥淎 lot of students assume a private college is not affordable, so they don鈥檛 consider it鈥� they don鈥檛 even entertain the possibility,鈥� Jensen said. 鈥淲e hope this grant will encourage people to consider a private college and put 糖心Vlog on their list of possibilities.鈥�
In comparison to schools that offer a similar type of promise grant, 糖心Vlog鈥檚 is among the most generous and with the fewest restrictions. 糖心Vlog鈥檚 income threshold for promise grant eligibility is significantly higher, and more accepting, than comparable ODAC member schools. Other schools require that promise grant students pay room and board costs to live on campus. Under the 糖心Vlog Promise Grant, students can choose to live at home within 30 miles of the Harrisonburg, Virginia, campus and still receive the award. And, there is no minimum high school GPA requirement to receive the 糖心Vlog Promise Grant, unlike some other schools鈥� programs.
One of the best parts about the 糖心Vlog Promise Grant is that students don’t even need to apply for it. If they qualify, they will automatically receive their tuition paid for (after state, federal, and institutional grants or scholarships have been awarded).
February coincides with Financial Aid Awareness Month, a time when many in the higher education community provide crucial information to students and families about access to federal, state and institutional aid. Now that the word is officially out about the 糖心Vlog Promise Grant, Jensen said undergraduate admissions counselors are eager to let students know about the new program.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e very excited to tell students they鈥檙e working with, 鈥業f your family is eligible for this grant, we have some really good news for you,鈥欌�� she said.