KVAAP Helps Cover Tuition, Fees and Books

Getting through college can be a challenge, but there’s no need to struggle alone. Kalamazoo Valley students who are eligible to enroll in the Kalamazoo Valley Accelerated Associate Program (KVAAP) say their chances for success have been boosted. The initiative covers the cost of tuition, fees and books for participants and is meant to help ensure that students can attend college full-time and can complete an associate degree.

The following pathways are currently eligible for KVAAP participation:
• Liberal Arts
• Science
• Business
• Culinary / Brewing
• Art & New Media
• Health Sciences General Studies

In addition to financial assistance, students benefit from advising and educational pathway guidance. Louis Thomas is Kalamazoo Valley’s KVAAP director. Through his office at Anna Whitten Hall, students can access personalized support and career development services.

“We can help students increase their chances of being successful by working with them to achieve their educational goals that include attaining a college degree, gaining career training or transferring to a four-year university,” he said. “We offer academic and student support services including counseling, career advising and tutoring. This program is free to in-district Kalamazoo Valley students who can demonstrate financial need.”

KVAAP can also cover tuition and book fees.

Eaton Rapids native Devin Davies now lives in Portage and is studying accounting at Kalamazoo Valley. “I feel like my participation in KVAAP has made it easier for me to stay in school,” Davies said. “It acts as my motivation because the times when I feel it is too much or too hard to juggle work, school and family I remember that if I quit or go part time, I would probably never get an opportunity like this again and then I may never finish because it is too expensive. Nor, would I have the support that KVAAP gives with their counselors that help just us KVAAP students.”

KVAAP student Kayleigh Dey-Harter is studying multi-media and video at the Center for New Media. The Galesburg-Augusta High School graduate said KVAAP participation has reduced her stress level. “It’s been so helpful with the stress of school and work,” Dey-Harter said. “My counselor was amazing at helping me find what I needed. Talking to her two times a month was very helpful when I was stressed and didn’t know what to do. She was very helpful and having my tuition paid also helped a lot.”

Davies urges her fellow students to avoid the temptation to procrastinate. “Why not just go and get the degree?,” she said. “If it’s free and you have help throughout the KVAAP program, what is holding you back? It’s two years, it’s not forever. Especially if you are young, get it out of the way. It’s better to have some education under your belt than none. Don’t keep putting college off, because the more you put it off the harder it is to juggle everything. Why make it harder on yourself?”

Photo: Devin Davies