JERSEY CITY, NJ - Saint Peter's was named as one of nine Division I schools to share $1.8 million in grants awarded by the NCAA to support academic programs that help student-athletes earn their degrees.
Saint Peter's was one of five schools awarded the Accelerating Academic Success Program Initiative Grant (single-year grants). Four other schools were awarded multi-year, Accelerating Academic Success Program Comprehensive Grants according to a release from the NCAA.
"This is an incredible honor for our athletic department to once again receive the AASP grant. We are truly grateful to the NCAA for selecting us this year," said Saint Peter's Director of Athletics, Bryan Felt. "The funds will assist us with further enhancements to our Student-Athlete Academic Center for Excellence facility and continue to help us ensure our student-athletes have success in the classroom. I would also like to thank Emory Edwards from our Advancement office for his efforts in helping us secure the funds."
This marks the second time in the last three years that Saint Peter's has been awarded this grant. This year's grant funds will be used for renovations, furnishings, technology, and direct student-athlete development and professional development. Previously, the money had been used to create the Student-Athlete Academic Center for Excellence, providing student-athletes with a location and resources to study.
The grants help schools improve the academic success of their student-athletes. The goal is to support the schools' efforts to meet the requirements of the Division I Academic Performance Program, which was developed to ensure schools provide an environment that supports education while enhancing the ability of student-athletes to earn a degree.
Schools eligible to apply for the program are non-Football Bowl Subdivision schools in Division I.
Schools can request a maximum of $300,000 per year for three years. The participating schools are required to match grant dollars each year of the program, with direct funds and/or in-kind contributions. The school must commit a 25 percent match in the first year, 50 percent in the second year and 75 percent in the third. Schools must match 20 percent of single-year grants.
"Over the previous cycles of the program, we have seen the tremendous impact of the grant on multiple athletics departments," said Tiese Roxbury, NCAA assistant director of research, assessment and academic success. "In addition to improving academic-related outcomes, the funding also has the capability to change culture and raise expectations across the campuses. Student-athletes have reported that they become even more motivated when they see such an investment made in their academic success."
The announced awards mark the sixth round of Accelerating Academic Success Program funding distributed by the NCAA.