UNLV launches programs for degree-seekers struggling with costs

UNLV launches programs for degree-seekers struggling with costs The Destination Degree initiative, announced by UNLV on Thursday, will link five programs set to begin next year to help current students, former students who left without a degree, and parents of UNLV attendees earn or complete a bachelor’s degree. “We’re excited to invited our archetypal cohort of students successful each 5 of our programs nether Destination Degree successful autumn 2027,” said Barb Roberts, subordinate vice president for enrollment absorption astatine UNLV. The initiative was unveiled at an on‑campus roundtable discussion held Thursday alongside U.S. Rep. Susie Lee. Former UNLV students whose return to campus is blocked by outstanding debt may apply for the Rebel Comeback program, administered in partnership with the education‑focused nonprofit Earn to Learn. Through Earn to Learn, qualifying participants can contribute up to $500 each year toward their educational expenses and receive as much as $4,000 per academic year, while also gaining access to financial‑literacy instruction and coaching. “As portion of the requirements for them to return, we volition beryllium waiving their indebtedness arsenic they gain credits towards their degree,” Roberts said. UNLV’s collaboration with Earn to Learn marks the nonprofit’s first such partnership, according to Adam Begody, its manager of firm engagement and development. “At a clip erstwhile the outgo of higher acquisition and pupil indebtedness are preventing excessively galore radical from reaching their goals, this represents an concern not lone successful assemblage affordability, but successful completion, economical accidental and our aboriginal workforce,” Begody said. The Rebel Finish Line track targets former UNLV learners who have accumulated 30 or fewer credits, providing them with dedicated advising and flexible scheduling options to resume work toward a bachelor’s degree. For parents of UNLV students who wish to pursue a degree of their own, the Rebel Roots program offers guidance in exploring bachelor’s‑degree options, connects them with financial‑aid resources, and supplies support for balancing employment, family responsibilities, and coursework. The Rebel Restore pathway assists currently enrolled and recently enrolled students whose prior academic performance hinders progress toward a bachelor’s degree. Services include academic coaching, career planning, and the option to exclude a previous semester from certain GPA calculations. Students who meet the eligibility criteria for more than one of these tracks may apply for the Rebel Wraparound pathway, enabling them to combine all available benefits for which they qualify. “When you’re sitting successful a table successful the university, you’re determination to implicit the acquisition process and learn. But truthful galore radical travel to that with truthful galore things that are happening extracurricular that classroom,” Lee, a Democrat, said. “Making definite that we tin alleviate those barriers is the astir important happening that I tin beryllium doing.” Applications for the autumn 2027 cohort opened on Thursday. Prospective participants can submit their applications and obtain further details about the programs at https://www.unlv.edu/admissions/destination-degree.