For some, the next chapter of their lives is approaching. No matter what college they’re going to, it can be a displacing and frightening environment. For those in the Groups program however displacement won’t be an issue. 

IU Groups is a program that offers assistance to underprivileged or first-generation college students. It was created in the late 1960s with the idea of increasing attendance and graduation rates for groups where those rates have been historically lower. The program offers a wide array of resources for its students including tutoring, academic advising, and special course enrollment that all contribute to the 98% graduation rate within the group. 

“They spend seven weeks in the summer after high school getting to know their peers and acquainting themselves with college life,” said Counselor Abby Wolfe. During that time, students take courses on business, sociology, public health and more, providing them with a network and an understanding of the new environment.The program is centered around creating community in what can be for many a tumultuous time in their lives. “It’s a really good way to make a large place smaller and make relationships on campus accessible,” Wolfe said.

To apply to the program a student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and their family must meet the financial requirements, you can find more information on applications and the scholarship as a whole from IU’s website or South’s resident expert on the program and recommender Abby Wolfe in the guidance office.