I personally haven’t worked with other companies that have put this much support behind education. Extending these opportunities to the children of employees is unique in my experience.
Misty Lyon, dean of enrollment management at Tidewater
Tidewater Community College campus on the southern coast of Virginia
The cost of four-year college degrees doubled in a single generation. There are currently 150 private colleges that charge $50,000 per year in tuition and that is before living expenses are added in. Inflation is only likely to put the cost further out of reach for many families. In contrast, a year’s classes at Tidewater currently cost a little over $5,000. But even that price keeps higher education out of reach for many students.
According to Lyon and Ford, grants like Inspired Pathways have an impact that goes beyond simply removing some financial burdens on students and their families. Knowing that your parents’ employer is funding your education gives students that sense of belonging, that they have a whole community of people rooting for them and expecting good results.
“A grant from Inspired Pathways brings with it a sense of pride and connection to your parents and the people they work with, which is going to be motivating,” says Ford. “I think we will see that those with this sort of support will be more likely to complete a certificate or a degree program.”
Lyon agrees. “Family support is often critical for people to complete their education. This program adds to that support. It removes a financial burden but it also increases the sense of pride that their parents worked for a company that provided this type of benefit.”
