Complete your degree with the support of Grant-in-Aid
February 04, 2025
The Grant-in-Aid program provides paid educational leave to eligible employees completing their associate, bachelor, master or doctoral degrees, assisting them toward enhancement and growth in their current and future roles.
Support personnel (SP), administrative & professional (A&P) and faculty are eligible to apply. Applicants must have at least two years of satisfactory performance in a permanent or continuing full-time position prior to the beginning of the academic year in which the grant will be awarded. Recipients have the option to take either full-time leave for one semester or part-time leave for two semesters.
Left to right: Dr. Daniel Hoover, University Ombuds, presents the Grant-in-Aid program at the “Grown Like an Eagle” event hosted by the Staff Advisory Council alongside Carolina Vives- Vietri, assistant director of Alumni Relations; Santiago Luaces, coordinator of Scholarly Innovation & Student Research; and Jenna Padilla, assistant director of business operations at the Lutgert College of Business.
With this program, FGCU continues its commitment to the development and retention of high-performing, qualified faculty and staff. “I am so grateful to be a recipient of the Grant-in-Aid scholarship,” said Debra Boucher, administrative assistant at the Whitaker Center and 2024 Grant-in-Aid recipient. “It has provided me with the opportunity to prioritize my education, serving as a significant steppingstone toward achieving my long-time goal of earning my bachelor's degree – a goal I have worked so hard to reach. It has made my aspirations feel attainable and has truly been transformative in my journey. I am deeply thankful for the support that has brought me closer to achieving my dreams.”
Melissa Berkley, building access coordinator for Physical Plant and also a 2024 Grant-in-Aid recipient, credits the program as she prepares to graduate this spring semester. “I was honored to be a Grant-in-Aid recipient as I work towards completing my bachelor’s degree in integrated studies,” said Berkley. “This has been a personal goal of mine for a long time and the FGCU Complete program helped me realize this goal was achievable. I cannot imagine getting my degree from anywhere else. The support from my Physical Plant family has been tremendous as I complete my last semester this spring. This award has been invaluable as I plan to graduate in May."
If you’re interested in the program, submit an application by 5 p.m. March 10. For more information on eligibility, requirements and selection criteria, visit fgcu.edu/ombuds/grantinaid or contact the University Ombuds at ombuds@fgcu.edu.
