MIDDLEBURY, Vt. - The American Talent Initiative (ATI), a nationwide alliance that includes Middlebury and more than 100 other leading colleges and universities, has made significant progress in improving opportunity for low- and moderate-income students, according to a new report.
Together, members of ATI have increased enrollment of students who receive federal Pell grants by 7,291 since the 2016–2017 school year. This momentum, highlighted in A 2018 Report on the Progress of the American Talent Initiative in Its First Two Years released December 18, 2018, indicates that ATI is on track to reach its goal to make the nation’s top colleges more accessible for 50,000 additional lower-income students by 2025.
“We’re pleased that ATI is making progress,” said Kim Downs Burns, associate vice president of student financial services. “Economic diversity is a priority at Middlebury, and we are happy to be part of an effort with other institutions that share this goal.”
Middlebury joined ATI in 2018 and shares the group’s commitment to improving access and support for low-income students. The College’s policy is to meet 100 percent of the demonstrated need of admitted students through financial aid. Middlebury awarded financial aid to 45 percent of the student body for the 2018–2019 academic year, with an average grant of $47,439.
The College also offers various programming and support for students on financial aid once they enroll. This effort includes grants for students who want to pursue unpaid summer internships—beginning with students who have just completed their first year. The grant funding topped $900,000 during the 2018–2019 academic year.
ATI has grown from 30 original members in December 2016 to 108 members today, including flagship state universities, national liberal arts colleges, and every member of the Ivy League, all with a graduation rate of 70 percent or higher. The initiative is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies and coordinated by the Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program and Ithaka S+R.