“It kept me on track and kept me focused... [the Grand Finish grant] made me want to work harder.”


- Alonte White-Davis, Class of 2016


S


enior Alonte White-Davis, Class of 2016, credits


the promise of the Grand Finish with motivating him to complete his undergraduate degree in four years. “It kept me on track and kept


me focused. I knew that was a benefit for me,” he stated, adding that the prospect of receiving the Grand Finish grant “made me want to work harder and gave me a goal to strive for.” The Grand Finish grant was


first given out in the 2011-2012 academic year. It was created by the university as a way to reward students for working hard to complete their degrees in four years, and to continue the commitment to making


a Grand Valley education accessible and affordable. Of the students who receive this grant, 34% graduate with no debt. This particular grant is distinct


in that every undergraduate student is eligible to qualify. The only requirement is that the student must be on track to complete 90 credits in three years, and graduate in four. Incoming freshmen can receive a $1,000 grant their senior year, amounting to a nearly 10% tuition savings in their final year. Transfer students can receive $500 in their last year. In 2014- 2015, 2,300 students qualified; since its inception, more than 10,000 students have received the Grand Finish grant.


“This award is unique among other state schools,” says Michelle Rhodes, Grand Valley’s Financial Aid Director. “Grand Valley wanted to create a way to encourage students to focus on finishing their degree and help alleviate some of the financial burden.” Alonte notes that the


Grand Finish grant program is “enormously innovative” and just another way that shows how much Grand Valley cares about its students. “Grand Valley is always trying


to help students out who might not be able to go to college without these grants,” he says. “The university wants to set you up for success,


6 | HORIZONS


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