Grambling State University, amongst other accredited HBCUs, participated in The Home Depot Retool Your School Grant Program. Students, faculty, alumni and anyone with access to the internet are being asked to vote daily to help win the competition.
This year, however, is unlike the other past six years. For the first time in program history, The Home Depot will award three Tier I grants worth $50,000 each. This new way was designed to allow participating schools a higher chance of winning the grant.
“Grambling State University has a winning record when it comes to competition like Home Deport’s Retool Your School program,” said Interim President Cynthia Warrick. “I hope the entire university community continues to support our campus.”
All HBCUs whose proposals were approved will be placed into one of the three clusters, based on student enrollment. Cluster 1, where Gambling is ranked number 6 with 364 votes, are the schools with a population of 4,000 or more. Cluster 2 consists of universities with 1,200 to 3,999 students enrolled. Cluster 3, less than 1,199 students enrolled.
This incorporation of clusters allows participating HBCUs to only be in competition with other schools in similar size based on student enrollment. More grant money to more schools for more campus improvements.
A total of $255,000 will be awarded across 9 HBCUs. Three campuses from each of the clusters will either be awarded a Tier I Grant $50,000, Campus Pride Grant, $25,000, or Tier II Grant worth $10,000.
The votes have been rolling in since February 27th when online voting polls officially opened. Voting will take place now through April 20, 2015 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Students and supporters have increased their school’s chances of winning by using their respective hashtags on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
While increasing the school’s chances of winning by utilizing social media, some students are voicing just how important it is to them that we vote.
“GSU alumni and students always do an amazing job of voting when it comes to the AllState Challenge, though we struggle when it comes to the Retool Your School challenge,” said Joiya Smith, the junior class president. “$50,000 could be a major contribution to our university, if we do our part and vote daily.”
Voting daily, one time per device is key to winning the grants. Any device that allows internet access to retoolyourschool.com/vote-now/ can be used from smartphones, laptops, desktops, etc.