Prospective high school students attending a recent Diversity Day at Eastern Kentucky University were among the first to learn of a new scholarship established to help them achieve their educational dreams.
The New Horizons Minority Scholarship will provide financial assistance to minority students based on a holistic evaluation of a student’s leadership and involvement in school and community programs, academic performance and letters of recommendation.
Incoming freshmen must have a high school grade point average of 2.75 or higher and an ACT composite score of 20 or better (or SAT equivalent) to be considered. Students must also have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and have submitted a Dr. Rodney Gross Scholars application. Applicants should highlight their leadership and extracurricular school and community involvement on the Rodney Gross application. Students who meet the above criteria will automatically be considered for a New Horizons Minority Scholarship award.
Award amounts will range up to full in-state tuition. The number of scholarships is limited based upon available funding. Awards will be automatically renewable for up to eight consecutive academic semesters provided the student maintains a 2.5 cumulative grade point average, remains enrolled full time, participates in the Rodney Gross Scholars Program and completes the FAFSA by Nov. 1 each year.
Students must apply by March 1 to be eligible for aid for Fall 2016. For more information, visit scholarships.eku.edu/new-horizons-scholarship.
Diversity Day was devoted to helping prospective students visualize the opportunities that await them at EKU. The day included breakout sessions related to academics, financial assistance and other student services and resources, as well as student panels, a luncheon, campus tours and even a mock class.
“Helping students from diverse backgrounds see EKU as a great place to start their educational journey was our motivation for creating this event,” said Stephanie Whaley, director of admissions at EKU. “We wanted to showcase our excellent programming for these students – our Rodney Gross Scholar program, Freshman Academy and the new Student Success Center, to name a few.
“We felt like the day was tremendously successful,” Whaley added, “and we hope to offer more such events in the future.”
The event was one of the first to be hosted in the University’s new Welcome Center, located in the Whitlock Building.