IIE and GEO fund passport initiative for TRIO Support students
Contact: Nicol Tinsley
VCU Global Education Office
(804) 828-6463
nctinsley@vcu.edu
Richmond, VA (September 8, 2022) - Virginia Commonwealth University is one of 40 U.S. colleges and universities selected to receive the 2022 Institute of International Education’s (IIE) American Passport Project grant, which awards 25 Pell-eligible students their first U.S. passports. In an effort to reach more students, the Global Education Office will match this grant, increasing the total number of recipients to 50.
In partnership with VCU’s TRIO Support Services, the Global Education Office will identify eligible students and support them through the process of applying for their first-time passports during Passport Day, an on-campus passport application event to be held on October 28. Application fees for selected students will be covered through the grant.
The American Passport Project was created in alignment with IIE’s mission to diversify study abroad participation and promote equity within the field by removing a common financial barrier.
To be eligible, the students must be a first-year VCU student who is an active VCU TRIO Student Support Services participant. In addition, students must be currently receiving a Pell Grant, and be a U.S. citizen who has not previously held a U.S. passport as an adult.
The selected recipients will benefit from the following:
- Attaining a free U.S. Passport Book valid for 10 years from date of issue
- Individual guidance through the passport application process
- Access to international opportunities such as study abroad, international internships and research abroad programs
- Exposure to various on-campus global learning programming such as GEO’s Global Buddies program, Cultural Conversations, study abroad opportunities and other activities
- Mentoring support from GEO's Global Learning team, including support for identifying and applying for other funding and program opportunities
Interested VCU TRIO Student Support Services participants will be required to complete an interest form, and will be notified if they are selected at a later date. More information about VCU's involvement with the IIE American Passport Project is available, or contact levya@vcu.edu or bairmc@vcu.edu with additional questions concerning eligibility or event details.
The month of September is designated as Passport Awareness Month by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs in an effort to increase awareness about the impact and benefits of having a U.S. passport.
Read more about the passport initiative.