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Economy
impacts scholarship program
Wanda
English Burnett
Editor
The
Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program has been adjusted,
according to information from Sara B. Cobb, the endowments
vice president for education.
Ripley County has been a part of receiving full ride scholarships
for students over the past several years, which has been a blessing
to the families receiving the scholarships.
The competition just got tougher with only one student being named
as a scholar recipient this year. According to Jane Deiwert, program
director for Ripley County, the process begins with the required
essay administered in area schools on November 3. Then applications
are due by November 17.
Over the 13 years of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship
Program, more than 3,300 Indiana high school students have received
scholarships, and were able to attend any accredited Indiana public
or private college or university for free. The students also had
required fees paid and were given $800 per year for books and
equipment.
Lilly Endowment has announced a grant of $15 million to Independent
College of Indiana (ICI) to support another round of the scholarship
program. For the 2011 class, each foundation will be eligible
to nominate at least one recipient for the full-time scholarship.
It is dependent on population, making Ripley County Community
Foundation able to only nominate one student.
While the total of students entering colleges this year was 216,
next year there will only be 142.
The cost of tuition has more than doubled since the programs
inception in 1998 when it was estimated at just under $50,000
for four years of study. For the 2011 student, the average cost
is estimated at $106,000 for four years.
While we regret that fewer scholarships will be awarded
in 2011, we are pleased to continue this important program that
helps promote the value of higher education in our state and highlights
the vital role community foundations play in Indiana counties,
noted Cobb.
The program has had a positive effect on Ripley County students
as each year recipients of the scholarship come to the Ripley
County Community Foundations annual dinner event to tell
how much it has impacted their lives. In the past Ripley County
has been awarded two or more scholarships.
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