KU News Release

KU awards $29.6 million in scholarship support to students for 2008-09

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LAWRENCE — More than 6,500 students at the University of Kansas will receive an estimated $29.6 million in privately funded scholarship support during the 2008-09 academic year. This represents a $1.9 million increase over the 2007-08 academic year, in which KU students received $27.7 million in scholarships, fellowships and awards.

Virtually all scholarships, fellowships and awards at KU come from private contributions to KU Endowment. So far, 8,555 scholarships have been awarded for the current academic year. Many students receive more than one scholarship. KU divides many scholarships between the fall and spring semesters, and there are some students who receive scholarship support for the summer term as well.

This year’s recipients represent 103 of the 105 counties in Kansas, 45 other states and Puerto Rico and 45 other countries. The students are listed below by home county, state or country.

“It’s rewarding to look across KU and realize that thousands of our students are here because of scholarship support provided by donors,” said Dale Seuferling, president of KU Endowment. “Endowed scholarships span the generations, enabling students to earn degrees at KU and move on to productive careers. For many of these students, these accomplishments would not have been possible without scholarship support provided by generations of KU alumni and friends.”

In the past five years, KU Endowment has provided more than $118 million in scholarships, fellowships and awards to KU students. Donors created 43 new endowed scholarships in fiscal 2008, with gifts totaling $12.3 million.

Though KU Endowment raises support for scholarships and other student aid, the university determines the distribution of available support. The figure fluctuates each year based on several factors, such as the number of students who apply for and receive them, the investment performance of endowed scholarship funds and new gifts for scholarships.

Scholarship funds are managed by KU Endowment, the independent, nonprofit organization serving as the official fundraising and fund-management organization for KU. Founded in 1891, KU Endowment is the first foundation of its kind at a U.S. public university.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.