Chancellor Battle Announces Major Scholarship Init

[@ProfBellamy]

This was announced at convocation. The first of many plans. I'm interested in seeing what he does for "all students" not just the "high achievers". As the system increases standards what else will we do to keep our students? Replace loans with need-based grants for in-state students???

Battle Announces Major Scholarship Initiative
www.ncat.edu/~newsinfo/announcements/chancellor/chancellorannounce.html

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Chancellor Stanley F. Battle announced his new Lewis and Elizabeth Dowdy Scholars program. Beginning fall 2008, this unique scholarship initiative for incoming freshmen in all majors and academic disciplines will offer scholarships for both in-state and out-of-state students based on academic performance.

“Academic excellence is the focus of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University,” Battle said. “Our Fall Convocation, amidst our Aggie family, is the perfect venue to unveil an exemplary program that best describes what North Carolina A&T State University is all about - academic excellence!”

Battle said the Lewis and Elizabeth Dowdy Scholars Program will celebrate two phenomenal educators and will attract and provide scholarship opportunities for incoming freshmen with excellent academic backgrounds. The late Lewis C. Dowdy was the sixth president of N.C. A&T College and the first chancellor of N.C. A&T State University. He and his wife served the University for 21 years including the tumultuous 1960s and 70s.
Criteria regarding the Dowdy Scholars Program include but are not limited to:

* Incoming freshmen with a combined SAT verbal and math score between 1000 and 1099 and a GPA between 3.25 and 3.49, will be awarded a scholarship that provides 50% of tuition and required fees. (Category 3)
* Incoming freshmen with a combined SAT verbal and math score between 1100 and 1200 and a GPA between 3.50 and 3.749, will be awarded a scholarship that provides 75% of tuition and required fees. (Category 2)
* Incoming freshmen with a combined SAT verbal and math score between 1200 and above and a GPA of 3.75 or greater, will be awarded a scholarship that provides 100% of tuition, required fees, room and board. (Category 1)
o Incoming freshmen who are either a valedictorian or salutatorian of their class and meet category 2, (SAT 1100-1200, GPA 3.5-3.74), will be awarded a scholarship that provides 100% of tuition, required fees, room and board.
o Incoming freshmen from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics who meet category 2, (SAT 1100-1200, GPA 3.5-3.74), will be awarded a scholarship that provides 100% of tuition, required fees, room and board.
* A Dowdy Scholar must maintain a 3.300 GPA and satisfy yearly academic progress requirements to continue in the program.

Battle said the new scholarship packaging will be funded through monies currently available and through those generated by fundraising efforts led by the A&T Development Office in cooperation with academic units.

“We have shared this new scholarship packaging with prospective donors and corporate leaders who are impressed with the idea and who are exploring how they can help deserving students serious about academics,” Battle said.

“Our Dowdy Scholars Program is a tangible way for alumni and friends to say we will support students and show Aggie Pride by donating dollars for scholars,” Battle added. “We are continuing the tradition of academic pride, artistic expression, and community engagement.”

Those wishing to give donations in support of the Dowdy Scholars may contact Dr. Mark Kiel, vice chancellor for development and university relations, at 336.334.7600 or [e-mail]. Information on giving to A&T is available at www.ncat.edu/~ddur/.

Prospective freshmen and their parents may find admissions information at www.ncat.edu/admissions.html or 336.334.7946 or toll free 1.800.443.8964.

For information about N.C. A&T, visit www.ncat.edu or call the Office of University Relations at 336.256.0863.

[Aggie One]

Bravo Sir. I applaud his move by lifting the bar. Very bold indeed.

[Maxell]

Me, too.

The good thing about this is that you can lay this out to kids and their parents in the 8th grade. Then they'll know what options they have. Good stuff.

[AggieMike]

I'm pissed I'm not an incoming freshman but it's a great move nonetheless. I'm just hoping we can afford it.

[aggie2008]

i qualify for category 2

[@ProfBellamy]

aggiemike said:

I'm pissed I'm not an incoming freshman but it's a great move nonetheless. I'm just hoping we can afford it.

Ditto!!!

Nonetheless, I'm looking forward to having the discussion on how this policy affects tuition and fee setting for next year.

Also, I'm wondering how does this affect already endowed scholarships? Because students eligible for to be a Dowdy Scholar are usually eligible for other funds.

Lastly, I wonder if there will be a catch where some matching funds will come from state and federal grants. So that might help in making this possible. So as I know more I'll post it because from what I discussed with a few admins, it is a complicated plan.

[aggielove]

I'm all for this program - I would have qualified for category 2, and would have pushed myself to get the 1200 on the SAT to qualify for level 3 had this been around when I started at T.

Will the school have to increase the tuition and fees beyond the normal increase?

[econgrad71]

A&T is traveling in good company!


Harvard University announced over the weekend that from now on
undergraduate students from low-income families will pay no tuition. In making the announcement, Harvard's president Lawrence H. Summers said, "When only 10 percent of the students in Elite higher education come from families in lower half of the income distribution, we are not doing enough. We are not doing enough in bringing elite higher education to the lower half of the income distribution."

If you know of a family earning less than $60,000 a year with an honor student graduating from high school soon, Harvard University wants to pay the tuition. The prestigious university recently announced that from now on undergraduate students from low-income families can go to Harvard for free...no tuition and no student loans!

To find out more about Harvard offering free tuition for families making less than $60,000 a year visit Harvard's financial aid website at: adm-is.fas.harvard.edu/FAO/index.htm or call the school's financial aid office at [phone].

[DOOMS]

I wonder where he got the money. Not being cryptic or anything but for years we simply didn't have the money to do anything like this.

[JayBee]

doomsday said:

I wonder where he got the money. Not being cryptic or anything but for years we simply didn't have the money to do anything like this.

Chancellor Battle has friends in high places!

[@ProfBellamy]

jaybee said:

doomsday said:

I wonder where he got the money. Not being cryptic or anything but for years we simply didn't have the money to do anything like this.

Chancellor Battle has friends in high places!

Ditto! He mentioned when he initally had a meeting this spring with the "outgoing and incoming student leaders" that he was working on a plan for scholarships for students.

I wouldn't say we didn't have the funds to do this, we were not thinking out of the box to make these funds available.

[DOOMS]

I'm very pleased he kicked that box down.