More middle and high schools added to Vincennes University’s Project ASPIREE

Vincennes University’s Project Achieving Success through Participation in Reaching Educational Excellence, or ASPIREE, has now added several new schools to its grant program, which is federally funded.

Project ASPIREE is adding Washington Catholic Middle School, North Daviess Jr/Sr High School, and Washington Catholic High school to its roster of schools where underrepresented students who have the potential to succeed in higher education can receive the assistance they need.

The program looks for students from low income backgrounds or first generation students and assists them financially. The program is free to students, parents, and participating schools. Project ASPIREE is a federally funded TRIO Talent Search Program and is supported by the Department of Education. More schools are encouraged to apply for Project ASPIREE, particularly those in Daviess, Sullivan, and Martin counties.

In an article on Vincennes’ website, Jaden Hege, who is a 2022 North Central High School graduate, talked about the project, saying, “Project ASPIREE prepared for me multiple opportunities to go visit colleges. It has helped me to learn about my future and career. I would be lost on the steps to become a lawyer or dentist. Project ASPIREE has given me knowledge for my future and knowledge for my college and my career.”

Project ASPIREE offers students prep and waivers for the SAT and ACT as well as test registration assistance, assistance filling out college applications and application fee waivers, cultural and educational field trips, college and career exploration, general financial literacy, campus visits, scholarship and financial aid information, academic advising and course selection help, guidance with filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, personal counseling and tutoring, and help with organization, time management, study skills, and goal setting. There are also workshops available to students and their families.

Kim Fields, who serves as the Director for Project ASPIREE, said, “Project ASPIREE staff work together as a team to provide services to income-eligible and first-generation college students at our member middle and high schools. We are proud of the work we do assisting students and their families with exploring career and postsecondary opportunities related to career interests. We help them find ways of making their dreams come true.”

Presently, Project ASPIREE is funded enough to serve almost 600 students in multiple schools, such as Southwest Detention Center, Loogootee High School, Loogootee Middle School, Shoals Middle School, Shoals High SChool Dugger Union Junior/Senior High School, Barr-Reeve Middle/High School, and North Central Jr/Sr High School.

More information about Project ASPIREE and about Vincennes University in general can be found at the school’s website.