By Tina Firquain
Southeastern is expected to award about $200 thousand to $220 thousand in foundation scholarships for the 2014-15 academic year according to Dean of Enrollment Management Liz McCraw.
According to dictionary.com the second, and most appropriate, definition of scholarship is “a sum of money or other aid granted to a student, because of merit, need, etc., to pursue his or her studies.”
McCraw said that last year “780 students received in-state tuition waivers”, which resulted in $1.8 million.
A flood of emails went to currently enrolled students, faculty, and even prospective students. Also a reminder went up on Facebook.
McCraw said all the reminders are to ensure students take advantage of this resource.
The scholarship application is created through a third party vendor according to McCraw.
This Academic Works program helps connect “more students to more dollars.”
The application asks basic questions like your demographics. There also more specific questions asking what you’re involved in on campus.
McCraw said, “The more specific a student is the better match we can make.”
McCraw also suggested using the comment boxes and taking the time to fill it all out.
After March 1 applications will still be accepted, but it is a priority deadline. Once the deadline has passed awards will be matched with students.
Committees are set up to filter through all the applications.
According to McCraw the goal is to have everything awarded by April 1, or until the money is gone.
McCraw urges students to check their student email, and said if a student is awarded a scholarship tthat’s how they will be notified.
On average, said McCraw, 1000 took advantage of the application. That number is out of about 4000 enrolled students through.