USC Upstate Receives NCAA AASP Grant for 2021-22
7/28/2021 10:45:00 AM | Academic Services, General
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The NCAA has awarded more than $1.2 million in initiative grants to 13 NCAA Division I schools to boost academic programs and initiatives that will help student-athletes earn their degrees. USC Upstate was one of those institutions, receiving a $100,000 AASP grant from the NCAA for 2021-22.
The grants were awarded through the Accelerated Academic Success Program for the 2021-22 year. The NCAA offers grants to eligible schools with limited resources to assist with creating programming and systems that will further the academic success of their student-athletes.
"We are so grateful to the NCAA for providing us with this grant to support the academic success of our student-athletes," said Director of Athletics Daniel Feig. "We will use this grant to help fund additional summer school scholarships, purchase new laptops for our student-athletes to use, and for funding of several graduate assistant positions which will support our academic programming. Providing additional funding of our academic programming is in alignment with our strategic plan 'Adapt. Evolve. Grow. The Path UP,' which includes the Strategic Priority of 'Student-Athlete Experience and Success,' as we seek to ensure all of our student-athletes graduate by the time their athletic eligibility expires at USC Upstate."
The grants also support school 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 not in the Football Bowl Subdivision. The AASP initiative single-year grant allows schools to receive up to $100,000.
"I am so thankful that the NCAA selected our group of student-athletes to support as they continue to pursue academic excellence," said Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Enrichment and SWA Sarah Gildersleeve. "The success of our student-athletes both on and off the field is so important to me as well as our athletic department. The financial assistance provided through the AASP grant allows us to take greater steps forward in ensuring the success of our student-athletes!"
Schools may use the grants in a variety of ways to boost academic learning and initiatives, which include renovations to academic support spaces; tutoring; technology enhancements (i.e., laptops, Wi-Fi hot spots); summer school aid; student-athlete development (i.e., life skills and leadership programming); and professional development for staff.
"The NCAA is committed to the academic success of student-athletes," said Felicia Martin, interim NCAA senior vice president of inclusion, education and community engagement. "We have witnessed the transformation that can occur when schools are provided the funding to support initiatives designed to enhance the academic experience of student-athletes. We are excited to see the positive impact that the AASP grant will have on each recipient's campus and on the student-athletes at these schools."
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