Description
Join us in creating Access and Opportunities for graduate students at Chico State! Our mission is to empower first-generation, low-income, and underserved undergraduate and graduate students to unleash their full potential through educational advancement and professional success.
This initiative, in collaboration with Adelante Graduate School Explorers Club and the Council of Graduate Students, is designed to alleviate financial barriers for graduate students and inspire undergraduates to pursue graduate programs. The fund will support students engaging in research, presenting at conferences, and pursuing publishing opportunities—all aimed at preparing them for successful careers or furthering their academic pursuits.
How will donations be used?
Here are some expenses our students encounter while pursuing their educational aspirations. Your generous support, regardless of the amount, is immensely valued and will directly impact the lives of our students and their academic goals.
- $10–20 gas money for student travel to internships/field research
- $70 covers the fee for one graduate school application
- $100 pays for membership in a professional organization
- $150 covers travel to a local conference
- $200 pays for a professional conference registration
- $500 covers costs for a national conference
Support the Access and Opportunity Fund!
A master's degree opens doors to exclusive career opportunities, job security, and higher earnings. However, enrollment in graduate programs remains low, with less than 5% of Chico State undergraduates transitioning to graduate school in spring 2022. Additionally, less than a quarter of our graduate students are first-generation, low-income, or students of color.
Why is this? According to student feedback, financial limitations are a significant obstacle. Even more concerning is the presence of "imposter syndrome," where students lack confidence in their abilities, adding to the challenges they face.
You can help change this.
From application fees to research and conference opportunities, you can help ease students' financial burdens as they advance their academic and career goals.
Also, with increased resources, student-focused and mentor-based programs like Adelante and the Council of Graduate Students can better support student growth. Adelante guides Latinx and low-income students through their undergraduate paths, preparing them for graduate studies and beyond. Similarly, the Council of Graduate Students fosters camaraderie, networking, and advocacy for post-baccalaureate students.
You can be a part of their success!
Why your support matters
Graduate students receive very little funding from the University or from other sources. Your support can be the key to unlocking the potential of aspiring graduate students at Chico State.
In particular, your assistance will play a vital role in diversifying our graduate student population and supporting first-generation, low-income, and other underserved students. By providing them with the means to waive the application fee and alleviate other financial concerns, you offer more than just monetary support. You offer hope, confidence, and the belief that their dreams are within reach. Together, we can empower these students to pursue their academic goals and shape a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
After enrolling in their programs, students face other financial challenges as they pursue more academic and professional advancement, such as research and attending conferences. Your donation can break barriers by providing essential encouragement and support for their success as they engage in research, present at conferences, publish their work, and pursue doctoral degree programs.
Your support is an investment in our future leaders.
Your support can make a profound difference in the lives of aspiring and current graduate students. By alleviating financial barriers, you can empower them to pursue their academic and professional goals without sacrificing essential expenses. Moreover, your contribution will foster diversity and inclusion within our graduate student community, ensuring that first-generation, low-income, and underserved students have the opportunity to thrive. Your generosity not only offers financial assistance but also instills hope and confidence in their abilities and validates their commitment to success.
Thank you for joining us in shaping a brighter future for these students and our community.