Semi-Annual Progress Report: University Student Assistance Program (USP VII) Cycle II & III

The program is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with a total award of $17,870,007 and a LAU cost-sharing amount of $7,740,892. The agreement with USAID started on September 30, 2015, and will end on September 29, 2023. The program's objectives are to enroll 73, 75, and 67 financially needy and academically qualified Lebanese public high school students across Lebanon in Fall 2016, Fall 2017, and Fall 2018, respectively. The program aims to achieve gender diversity, with a minimum of 12/20 on the Lebanese Baccalaureate official exam, and meet LAU admission requirements. Scholars are also vetted as per USAID requirements. As of September 2021, a total of 759 scholars have been enrolled in the program, with 243 scholars graduating to date. The program's advising and registration process has been successful, with 19 USP VII Cycle 2 scholars registering for Spring 2021 with full-time loads and 66 USP VII Cycle 3 scholars registering for Spring 2021 with full-time loads. The scholars have been in regular contact with their academic coordinators and have been receiving proper advice and direction. The program's monitoring of scholars has been effective, with a plan in place to ensure that scholars maintain good academic standing and graduate on time. The plan involves multiple stakeholders, including the Outreach and Civic Engagement (OCE) team, student mentors, academic coordinators, and student support centers. The OCE team, headed by the Assistant Vice President, oversees the execution of the program and ensures successful implementation. Student mentors, who are junior or senior students of the same major, help scholars with academic and personal issues. Academic coordinators advise students on course loads, monitor academic progress, and help students cope with academic challenges. Student support centers, including the Cooperative Learning Center, the Writing Center, and the Academic Computer Center, provide additional support and tutoring to scholars. As of September 2021, the program has achieved significant academic progress, with 19 USP VII Cycle 2 scholars completing their academic plans and graduating, and 34 USP VII Cycle 3 scholars completing their academic plans and graduating. The program has also achieved a high level of academic achievement, with 61 USP VII Cycle 2 scholars and 95 USP VII Cycle 3 scholars achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above. The program's enrichment activities have also been successful, with scholars participating in clubs and enrichment activities, and achieving success stories. The program's work plan and planned activities are outlined in the report, with a focus on continuing to support scholars and achieve the program's objectives. Overall, the University Student Assistance Program (USP VII) at the Lebanese American University has achieved significant milestones and has been successful in providing scholarships to financially needy and academically qualified Lebanese public high school students. The program's advising and registration process, monitoring of scholars, and enrichment activities have been effective, and the program continues to support scholars and achieve its objectives.