The United States Department of Education has informed the University that it will no longer fund the Academic Success program.”I called them and they told me to write a letter requesting reconsideration,” Betty Elfert, director of Academic Success, said. “We have a very good program, and we are receiving good results.” The program is important to students on campus, she said.
Each year, the federal government provides $430,000 for the Academic Success program.
The Academic Success program is not losing funds it already has, but as of now it will not receive funding in the future. “We are funded through Aug. 31 with our current grant,” Elfert said. “We are not going to receive additional funding unless our request for reconsideration is granted.”
Elfert said she expects a decision on the request for reconsideration in about one to two weeks. “The competition was very fierce, and three programs in Louisiana were not refunded,” Elfert said.
If the Academic Success program does not receive funding to continue after its current grant runs out on Aug. 31, the program will be discontinued.
The Academic Success program offers different types of assistance to Nicholls students, such as academic advising and financial and career counseling.
Academic Success offers sections of math and English tutoring and a University course, Academic Success 115. Academic Success 115 helps students make the transition from high school to college.
Each year, the Academic Success program divides $10,000 of grant aid to the Nicholls students with the most financial need.
The Academic Success program has a staff of four counselors and advisers, three specialists, two coordinators, two clerical staff members and 20 student tutors. The counselors and advisers give intensive counseling and advising to students. The three specialists teach sections of English, mathematics and academic success. The two coordinators manage the English and mathematics tutoring centers that the Academic Success program operates.
If the Academic Success program is discontinued, the staff will have to look for other jobs.
The services provided by the Academic Success program has helped solve problems that students were having in college. “If it were not for my adviser in Academic Success, I would have transferred again to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette,” Natalie Barnes, freshman from Gonzales, said. “I had a lot of problems when I came here, and my adviser in Academic Success helped me.”
More than 450 students participate in the Academic Success program. To be eligible for the Academic Success program, students must meet certain criteria. The student must be a first-generation college student, have a financial need or some type of a disability.
