Founded in 2015 with the generous support of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Justice-in-Education Scholars Program at Columbia University provides educational opportunities to formerly incarcerated individuals.
Upon successfully completing the admissions process, returning citizens are enrolled as JIE Scholars in the gateway course, University Writing: a skills-intensive course required of all Columbia undergraduates. The program covers tuition and fees, local travel to class, books, and other associated costs of attendance. JIE Scholars receive advising and tutoring, as well as re-entry support, especially with regard to housing, health, parole, and other issues that might affect their ability to complete their coursework successfully.
Those earning a grade of B+ or above in University Writing are eligible to continue to take Columbia courses free of charge. Credits earned at Columbia are transferable to other institutions of higher learning, should JIE Scholars wish to pursue completion of their college degrees elsewhere.
The JIE Scholars Program collaborates with the Initiative for a Just Society to provide legal consultations when necessary.
The Justice-in-Education Initiative is a collaboration between the Center for Justice and Heyman Center for the Humanities, in partnership with The School of Professional Studies at Columbia University.
To learn more about the JIE Scholars Program, visit the JIE website or contact JIE Academic Adviser Neni Panourgía, PhD ([email protected]), or Re-Entry Coordinator Ivan Calaff ([email protected]).
