James Madison University
PA-8: Affordability and Access

JMU has multiple programs which provide comprehensive support to low-income students. These programs include financial support, academic assistance, social integration, community service opportunities, resources for families, and support and encouragement throughout the application and admissions process. Outreach begins in the middle school and high school years (with Professor in Residence (PIR) and Valley Scholars) and continues throughout the students' time on campus.

Examples of programs that serve low-income students:
-Centennial Scholars Program. The Centennial Scholars Program provides financial assistance and a multi-level academic support network to retain eligible underrepresented students. https://www.jmu.edu/centscholars/

-Valley Scholars Program. The Valley Scholars program serves first-generation, financially eligible students, who are motivated and show academic promise in middle school and throughout high school. Current partner school districts include Augusta County, Harrisonburg City, Page County, Rockingham County, Shenandoah County, Staunton City, and Waynesboro City Schools. After completing the application and interview process, students are selected in the spring of the 7th grade year, with program participation beginning in the 8th grade. http://www.jmu.edu/valleyscholars/

-Professors in Residence (PIR) program. Faculty members serve as PIRs in schools across Virginia, acting as ambassadors for the university and the academic division and providing support for underrepresented and underserved Virginia students to access opportunities to pursue higher education. http://www.jmu.edu/pir/

- JMU Chapter of TORCH (Founded 2019-2020): TORCH is a student organization dedicated to serving first generation college students -- both at JMU and in the greater global community -- by advocating for their unique needs and providing the academic, financial, and social resources they need to succeed in their time at college and beyond. TORCH is committed to extending said resources to any student in need, first-generation or otherwise. They aim to create a welcoming and non-judgmental community for first-generation college students and their supporters, maintain a close relationship with JMU faculty, working to establish a network of support for present and future first-generation college students at JMU, and ensure TORCH activities are financially, physically, and mentally accessible to all students.

- First Generation Scholarship Program. First-generation college students are those with custodial parents who have never attended college. A custodial parent can include biological and stepparents at the student’s primary residence. Students must also be Pell Grant eligible. Nominations for recipients are accepted only from the PIR Professors, as this a financial aid program for students attending from PIR high schools.

JMU participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program to support veterans' access to higher education. https://www.jmu.edu/registrar/veterans/yellowribbon.shtml

Responsible Party for figures: Brad Barnett, Senior Associate Director, Financial Aid and Scholarships. Data for 2020-2021 provided by Brandon Crenshaw and entered by Amanda Bodle.

Responsible Party for optional fields: Arthur Dean, Executive Director, Campus and Community Programs, Office of Access and Inclusion.

Graduation/success rate for low-income students based on 2014 cohort of Pell Students at time of submission and provided by Office of Institutional Research https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/jmu.office.of.institutional.research/viz/Retention-GraduationRatesWeb/GraduationRates#!/vizhome/GraduationRates_16010424751770/GraduationRates?publish=yes