Spring Break
Scholarships, grants aim to help students afford higher education
Phil Gassert
Issue date: 10/8/08 Section: News
As the price and demand for higher education continues to climb, part-time jobs aren't nearly enough for many students to pay the bill every semester.
Financial Aid Director Carol Miller said the university receives about $5.3 million each year for the Federal Pell Grant. The grant is need based, and every student that completes a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and is enrolled at Whitewater becomes eligible for grant money.
About 1,900-2,000 students each year receive aid through the Pell Grant. Miller said applying and submitting necessary financial documents by the priority date of March 15 is important. While the university typically does not run out of grant money by this date, Miller said they almost always run out of Work Study opportunities by then.
Most scholarships awarded by the university are merit-based and given primarily to freshmen. The scholarships typically range from $500-$1,000 a year for a maximum of four years with the exception of non-resident scholarships, which can reach up to $4,000 a year, according to the Admissions Office.
Admissions Office Director Stephen McKellips said the UW-Whitewater commits nearly $1 million in scholarships to freshmen each year.
"Every freshman is considered for a scholarship, no matter what their grades in high school," McKellips said.
ACT test scores and extra-curricular activities are taken into consideration as well.
McKellips said the likelihood of an incoming freshman receiving a scholarship is based on his or her competitiveness in comparison to the rest of the class. This year, out of a class of approximately 2,150 students, about 400 freshmen were awarded scholarships.
Students seeking financial aid for post-graduate studies can apply for a $750 research grant from the school. Twice a year the university awards a single or multi-student research project which is supervised by a member of the graduate faculty.
Dean John F. Stone of the School of Grad Studies & Continuing Education said no scholarships are available for graduate students specific to any one department or study.
Despite possibly not being aware of it, every student has been considered for financial aid whether it be a grant or scholarship.
It is the goal of the university to enable those who can't afford four years here to be able to pay the bill; and those who have consistently made the grade are afforded the chance to continue their education.
Financial Aid Director Carol Miller said the university receives about $5.3 million each year for the Federal Pell Grant. The grant is need based, and every student that completes a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and is enrolled at Whitewater becomes eligible for grant money.
About 1,900-2,000 students each year receive aid through the Pell Grant. Miller said applying and submitting necessary financial documents by the priority date of March 15 is important. While the university typically does not run out of grant money by this date, Miller said they almost always run out of Work Study opportunities by then.
Most scholarships awarded by the university are merit-based and given primarily to freshmen. The scholarships typically range from $500-$1,000 a year for a maximum of four years with the exception of non-resident scholarships, which can reach up to $4,000 a year, according to the Admissions Office.
Admissions Office Director Stephen McKellips said the UW-Whitewater commits nearly $1 million in scholarships to freshmen each year.
"Every freshman is considered for a scholarship, no matter what their grades in high school," McKellips said.
ACT test scores and extra-curricular activities are taken into consideration as well.
McKellips said the likelihood of an incoming freshman receiving a scholarship is based on his or her competitiveness in comparison to the rest of the class. This year, out of a class of approximately 2,150 students, about 400 freshmen were awarded scholarships.
Students seeking financial aid for post-graduate studies can apply for a $750 research grant from the school. Twice a year the university awards a single or multi-student research project which is supervised by a member of the graduate faculty.
Dean John F. Stone of the School of Grad Studies & Continuing Education said no scholarships are available for graduate students specific to any one department or study.
Despite possibly not being aware of it, every student has been considered for financial aid whether it be a grant or scholarship.
It is the goal of the university to enable those who can't afford four years here to be able to pay the bill; and those who have consistently made the grade are afforded the chance to continue their education.
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