University of Montana Joins Compact To Better Serve Low-Income Students

The University of Montana http://www.umt.edu/ is now a charter member of the College Board’s CollegeKeys Compact http://professionals.collegeboard.com/policy-advocacy/initiatives/low-income/collegekeys . The compact seeks to support students from low-income families as they work toward preparing for, getting into and succeeding in college.

UM is one of the first 500 institutions to join this call to action to U.S. schools and colleges issued seven months ago by the College Board, a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity.

As part of the CollegeKeys initiative, UM has entered into a contract with the College Board to actively pursue ways and dedicate resources to help students get into and excel in college. Higher education partners are encouraged to support these students by helping with fees and other financial needs, by improving course alignment and by initiating transfer agreements between two- and four-year campuses.

In signing the agreement, UM commits to the compact inventory and action plan. The University also affirms its belief that all students must have the support they need to succeed in college and to graduate.

The CollegeKeys Compact is the result of a report by a College Board task force, which found that nearly one-half of all college-qualified low- and moderate-income high school graduates do not enroll in a four-year college program because of a combination of inadequate preparation, low expectations and financial barriers.

Contact: Jim Foley, UM executive vice president, 406-243-2311, [email protected]