KU News Release

KU proposes Jayhawk Generations Scholarship

LAWRENCE — High ability out-of-state students with ties to the University of Kansas would receive a new incentive to come to Kansas to attend KU under a program to be considered by the Kansas Board of Regents next week.

The Jayhawk Generations Scholarship would provide partial tuition waivers to students who meet certain academic requirements and who have a parent or grandparent who graduated from KU. If approved by the regents, a two-year pilot project would start with the fall 2009 semester.

“Kansas is facing a decline in the number of high school graduates, which impacts universities and the workforce,” said Marlesa Roney, vice provost for Student Success. “By recruiting talented out-of-state students who already have ties to Kansas, we can bring more students to our state who ideally will stay in Kansas and contribute to our economy after they graduate.”

Under the Jayhawk Generations Scholarship proposal that the regents will consider, students with a 3.25 or above high school grade-point average and an ACT score of 26 to 29 (or SAT equivalent) would receive a 12 percent discount on the out-of-state tuition rate. Students with an ACT score of 30 or above would receive a 20 percent discount on that rate.

For example, in fall 2008, a 12 percent waiver would have saved a student $1,952, based on 30 credit hours per year. A 20 percent waiver would have equaled $3,254.

Students would have to maintain a minimum 3.25 GPA while enrolled at KU to remain eligible and the scholarship would be good for up to four years. Only new nonresident freshman whose parent, stepparent, legal guardian, grandparent or step-grandparent graduated from KU would be eligible. All other nonresident admissions requirements also would apply.

Roney emphasized that the program would not reduce tuition for these students below the actual cost of providing their education, meaning their tuition would still be above the current in-state rate and would continue to help fund the education of Kansas students. This also would ensure Kansas tax dollars would not subsidize out-of-state students.

“During a time of financial challenges for families and Kansas, this program could increase the number of high ability nonresident students who are able to attend KU. That benefits those students and their families, as well as Kansas students and the entire state,” said Roney.

The plan takes advantage of a new state law that allows the Board of Regents to consider a range of innovative student recruitment proposals. HB 2007 was passed by the Kansas Legislature and then signed into law by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on March 27.

Oklahoma, Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa have similar out-of-state legacy programs, putting KU at a significant competitive disadvantage in recruiting students to Kansas.

-30-

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.