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GRASP

Connecting Goochland Students to Post-Secondary Education

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2008-09 first GHS advisor
Free of charge
Multi-pronged approach to student support
Guaranteed scholarships

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Laurie

I joined Goochland High School as the GRASP advisor in 2010-11 school year

I am a Goochland resident
Our Daughter graduated in 2009 from GHS, having transferred in as a junior.
We had a positive experience with GHS and GRASP, and our daughter was awarded a Last Dollar scholarship from the GRASP organization.

Beth

What Laurie is too humble to share with you, but I will, is that she became involved with GRASP because she wanted to give back to the organization that had supported her and her family

Initially, she began working in the School Counseling office as the GRASP advisor 1 day/week
Through an increased generous donation of anonymous philanthropist, she has increased her time with us.

Currently, works at GHS on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the school year
Laurie’s personal approach

- access outside of school

- personal phone number

- meet with graduates

- meet off-site

- families have extended offers to other family members outside of GHS

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SOAR

Partnership between GRASP and VA 529
Early commitment scholarship program
15 GHS sophomores annually
Financial & educational experiences
$2,000 Invest529

Beth

In addition to the fantastic services that Laurie offers our seniors in her work with GRASP, she also began to extend services to a limited number of underclassmen in 2010-11 through the SOAR Program

Laurie

SOAR began as a result of GRASP’s pre-existing, positive relationship with Goochland High School

GHS was chosen as one of the 7 pilot sites, and I was placed as both the SOAR and GRASP advisor
SOAR is a Partnership with Va 529 and GRASP
It is an Early commitment scholarship program

We offer Individual advising, encouragement, and up to $2,000 in an Invest529 scholarship account to each participant
Currently there are 15 spots available annually to sophomores who meet a minimum GPA requirement (2.5) and have demonstrated financial need
Our services to these students include: Academic advising for post-secondary education, assistance with applications, and assistance in obtaining financial aid, including FAFSA completion
Since 2011, the SOAR program has awarded $126,500 in VA529 Scholarships to GHS students alone

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Beth

The support for Goochland High School students involved in both SOAR and GRASP does not stop with their high school graduation. Rather, it extends with them throughout their undergraduate experience.

Help with FAFSA, as well as continued scholarship opportunities.

GHS graduates have received over $30,000 in GRASP scholarships while enrolled in college beyond their freshmen years.

This brings the total amount of monies earned by GHS through this ongoing partnership with GRASP up to just over $220,000.
Now finding that 9 years into this, our Goochland students and families who have benefitted from the program are looking to express their gratitude and are giving back.

For instance, in f 2017, a Bulldog graduate who had received a GRASP scholarship years before set up a new $500 scholarship for a GHS student interested in studying the arts.
Other families, after meeting with Laurie, are asking how they can become a part of supporting this organization and the post-secondary dreams of Goochland students in the future.