The U.S. Department of Education has awarded the University of Rochester a five-year, nearly $1.3 million grant.
The funding will go toward the university's Ronald E McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement program, which helps disadvantaged students pursue and attain Ph.D degrees.
Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, who made the announcement about the funding, says the grant will help ensure students won't have to mortgage their future to obtain higher education.