Beginning with the 2008 Fall semester, participants of the University of New Mexico’s Graduation Project will see an increase in their Regents’ tuition assistance award, also know as TAP. The new award will be up to $750 a semester, for a new total of $3,000. Previously, the TAP award helped students pay up to $500 a semester for a total of $2,000.
The Graduation Project is the first of its kind in the United States. Other universities have since modeled their own programs similar to the University of New Mexico’s Graduation Project.
Throughout the course of the program more than 1,200 students have been issued the Regent’s Tuition Assistance award.
“The UNM Graduation Project acts as a “middleman” on campus,” said Vanessa Shields, Student Program Specialist. “We help students navigate the university. If a student is unsure of what to do next or has a question, it is our job to find the answer.”
Funded by the UNM Board of Regents, the Graduation Project is now in its 11th year helping students return to the university to complete their degree. The program is designed to help students who had earned at least 98 credit hours, had a 2.0+ GPA, and left in good standing for one semester or more return to the university.
“Overall, the Graduation Project has helped more than 1,600 students graduate with an average GPA of 3.03. The project graduates 70 percent of the students it brings back to UNM,” added Shields.
Any former student who meets the criteria is encouraged to contact the Graduation Project Office at (505) 277-0896 or visit: Graduation Project. Walk-ins are also welcome to visit in Dane Smith Hall, rm. 220. The office is open Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Media Contact: Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821; e-mail: scarr@unm.edu
Posted by scarr at August 25, 2008 01:30 PM