(Atlanta, GA) – The Georgia Independent College Association (GICA) and The Association of Private Colleges and Universities of Puerto Rico (ACUP) have partnered to assist in the placement of college students temporarily displaced in Puerto Rico because of Hurricane Maria.
Ten Georgia colleges, including Oglethorpe University, have agreed to enroll students for a semester starting Spring 2018 with the home institution in Puerto Rico receiving the tuition. Students are expected to spend one semester in Georgia before returning to their Puerto Rican college or university.
“This partnership means that Puerto Rico’s private college students will not suffer a delay in their studies,” said GICA President Susanna Baxter. “Our sister institutions in Puerto Rico will also receive the tuition needed to make payroll and make repairs. This is a small way we can help our fellow citizens during this rebuilding period.”
The GICA members currently participating in this agreement with 13 Puerto Rican colleges and universities include: Agnes Scott College, Berry College, Brewton-Parker College, Covenant College, LaGrange College, Oglethorpe University, Toccoa Falls College, Truett McConnell University, Wesleyan College and Young Harris College.
“The Presidents and Chancellors, members of The Association of Private Colleges and Universities of Puerto Rico (ACUP) thank The Georgia Independent College Association (GICA) for their willingness to host Puerto Rican students in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria,” said Dr. Carmen Cividanes-Lago, Advisor to ACUP. “Hurricane María’s wrath has been life-changing and it has taken away many of our students’ income, jobs, and personal property, but it cannot take away their passion project: to continue studying. We are ever so grateful that our students have been offered help during this very difficult time and that they will be able to pursue education for a semester in Georgia. Thank you, Georgia!”
Eligible students will come from any of the following ACUP member colleges and universities:
- American University of PR
- Caribbean University
- Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Puerto Rico y el Caribe [Center for Advanced Studies of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean]
- EDP University
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de PR [Pontifical Catholic University of PR]
- Sistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez [Ana G. Méndez University System]
- Universidad Adventista de las Antillas [Antillean Adventist University]
- Universidad Carlos Albizu [Carlos Albizu University]
- Universidad Central de Bayamón [Bayamón Central University]
- Universidad Central del Caribe [Central University of the Caribe]
- Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico [Inter American University of PR]
- Universidad Politécnica [Politechnic University]
- Universidad del Sagrado Corazón [University of the Sacred Heart]
Interested students should go to www.georgiacolleges.org/contact/PRStudentSemesterRelief
About GICA
The Georgia Independent College Association is comprised of 24 private (independent) colleges and universities accredited by SACSCOC. Through partnerships with institutions, businesses, and community leaders, GICA supports private higher education in Georgia in the areas of public policy, fundraising for student financial aid, and collaborative programs.
About ACUP
The Association of Private Colleges and Universities of Puerto Rico represents the Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) serving over 119,000 students and is recognized as Puerto Rico’s most prestigious association of private higher education institutions with memberships made up of major and well established private not-for-profit colleges and universities on the island. ACUP’s 13 members are all accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).