Friday, February 27, 2009
The Equal Opportunity Programs at KU will be creating a new scholarship for low-income, first-generation students. There will be a presentation announcing the scholarship at 11 a.m. today in 150 JRP Hall.
EOP currently provides two programs to KU students: The McNair Scholars Program and the Supportive Educational Service program.
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In order to be eligible for the scholarship, students must be involved in an EOP program at the University or have participated in an EOP program prior to college, which include: Educational Opportunity Center, GEAR UP, Harvest of Hope Leadership Academy, Math and Science Center, Upward Bound, Talent Search and Veterans Upward Bound. Dave Walter, an academic advisor with the Math and Science Center and Upward Bound, said any student who is considered a low-income student or a first generation can become a member of SES. Requirements for applying to the McNair scholarship program are having a sophomore status, a GPA of 2.5 or better, a low-income student and be planning to attend graduate school.
The scholarship will be managed through the Kansas University Endowment Association. EOP set a goal to raise $30,000 within three years and has already raised $1,000 for the scholarship. When the goal is reached, staff will select the recipients for the scholarship.
Julie Feldt, St. Louis senior, is currently involved in the SES program and will speak at the presentation.
Feldt came to the University because it offered an astronomy major. She is also majoring in physics and said she was able to attend the University because of grants and loans.
“I think it’s really good to provide more things like scholarships and grants,” said Feldt. “I know a lot of people are intimidated by loans.”
Feldt said her SES adviser suggested she sign up for the TRIO grant, which she had received for the last three years. A TRIO grant sponsors EOP programs through government funding.
Caitie Hilton, Lawrence sophomore, has been in the SES program since her first semester at the University.
“I’ve found it very helpful, particularly the free tutoring,” said Hilton. “It’s kind of nice to have a free computer lab. I don’t have to lug my laptop around with me.”
Hilton said she would be interested in the scholarship.
“I’m definitely down with scholarship money,” Hilton said.
Edwin Duson Jr., Kansas City, Mo., senior, has participated in SES since 2003.
“I’m really grateful to be in the program,” Duson said. “It’s hard enough being in the University, you know. But when you have a program like this to help you out and to help you succeed, it’s always a good thing.”
Duson said he didn’t know what he would do without the program.
“It just helps out a lot because my tutor helps me focus my time adequately on my homework and my assignments,” Duson said. “Instead of me just going out and drinking and stuff.”
Eric Martinez, Garden City senior, will also be speaking at the meeting and is involved in the McNair Scholars Program.
Martinez has been involved in EOP since high school, where he was involved in the Upward Bound program and Talent Search.
Martinez is majoring in psychology, focusing on social psychology with Latinos and how they are perceived in American culture.
He said he was recruited to the McNair Scholars Program because it fit in his major and he qualified to be in the program.
“I’ve been very involved with the McNair Scholars program,” Martinez said. “I’ve attended every single event since I have been admitted to the program.”
Martinez is one of two students who was selected to attend a McNair conference in Puerto Rico after this semester’s finals.
Martinez will talk about his experience with each program at the presentation.
EOP helps nearly 4,000 students throughout Kansas further their education with their programs.
— —Edited by Sam Speer
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