BGSU gets $262K for future professionals

Bowling Green State University students seeking advanced studies can now get federal support. On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Education announced that BGSU nabbed $262,000 in federal grant funds. In total, $52 million was allocated to almost 200 public higher education institutions through the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program. The initiative provides grants to universities and colleges for projects "designed to provide disadvantaged college students effective preparation for doctoral studies," the department's news release states. "When we look at U.S. students studying to become our future physicians, professors, scientists and other crucial professionals requiring graduate degrees, many demographic groups are underrepresented, including first-generation college students and those from low-income families," said Nasser Paydar, assistant secretary for the Office of Postsecondary Education. "McNair grants fund projects at universities and colleges that help underrepresented students to access doctoral programs." McNair-funded initiatives also prepare students for doctoral study through tutoring, academic counseling and assistance with securing admission to and financial assistance for enrollment in graduate programs. Additionally, McNair projects can provide services "designed to improve financial and economic literacy of students, mentoring programs and exposure to cultural events and academic programs not usually available to disadvantaged students," according to the news release. Other Ohio universities getting federal grant money through the McNair program are the University of Cincinnati and Kent State University with each receiving $272,400.