Deadline for education scholarships is March 1
Feb. 15, 2002
KALAMAZOO -- Students in Western Michigan University's College of Education who are interested in landing scholarships for next year have until March 1 to submit their applications.
Last year, 224 education students received more than $309,000 in awards. That figure is up considerably from $193,000 just two years ago.
In many cases, the money impacts a student's ability to become an educator.
"Some may not have been able to attend college at all without the award, while some may have not been able to go full-time or finish in the normal four years," says Karin Carl, an administrative specialist in the College of Education. "An award reduces the need for them to work outside of class and therefore enables them to focus more fully on their studies."
Students have the opportunity to compete for dozens of scholarships. A listing of the awards, applications, and instructions are available only online at <www.wmich.edu/coe/finaid.html>, the College of Education's scholarship and financial aid Web page. Awards for fall 2002 and winter 2003 will be made before the end of the winter 2002 semester. Monies for the awards will be disbursed the following fall and/or winter semesters, with half of each award credited to the student's account at the start of each semester.
In recent years, College of Education students have benefited from substantial scholarship donations made by the Ameritech/Morris Hood Jr. Teacher Education Assistance for Minorities program, the Fund for the Advancement of Minorities in Education and the Margaret Isobel Black Scholarship. This year alone, 15 students received full tuition and fees through these three awards.
At the same time, the number of privately funded scholarships, most of which range from $500 to $2,500 per recipient, is growing.
"It is especially rewarding to see the living donors meet with the recipients of their scholarship," Carl said. "The students who have that opportunity see from the beginning of their careers the impact they can have on others lives through leadership, service and giving back."
For more information, visit the College of Education Web site at <www.wmich.edu/coe> or call (269) 387-2960.
Media contact: Gail H. Towns, 269 387-8400, gail.towns@wmich.edu