WASHINGTON (March 20, 2013) – Approximately 400 students will benefit from $600,000 in need-based financial aid, including scores of seniors slated to graduate in May. President Sidney A. Ribeau, Vice President for Student Affairs Barbara L.J. Griffin and Howard University Student Association President Brittany Foxhall and Vice President Madiagne Sarr announced the awards on Wednesday, March 20.

Members of the Independent Fund Appropriations Committee Lennon Jackson, director of Student Life and Activities, and Patrick Goodin, Ph.D., associate professor of Philosophy, also participated in the presentation.

“Partnering with HUSA was ideal as we were able to increase the impact and the number of students that would benefit from need-based grants,” Ribeau said. “These grants will help to ensure that hundreds of students graduate on time.”

The overall total includes $300,000 from the Howard University Student Association through its allocation from the Independent Fund. The Office of the President doubled the overall amount awarded with a matching contribution from the Bridging the Gap Campaign. HUSA has identified grant recipients who will pay one-third of their balances and have the remaining two-thirds covered by the grant.

“We are excited to double our efforts through this matching program with the University,” Foxhall said. “Last year, 131 students received HUSA grants and this year, we are able to more than double that number.”

President Ribeau launched the Bridging the Gap Student Aid Campaign in March 2012 to raise $25 million to directly address the gaps in financial aid for deserving Howard students.

Through the campaign, the University seeks to buttress student enrollment and retention, increase overall graduation rates, reduce student indebtedness and boost student participation in enrichment activities. The Howard University Board of Trustees implemented the Independence Fund in 1991 through a recommendation by then undergraduate trustee Kasim Reed. The Independence Fund is supported through a fee paid by all undergraduate and graduate students. Reed currently serves as the mayor of Atlanta.